How Operation Sindoor Impacts India’s Relations with Major Powers (US, China, Russia)

Operation Sindoor, India’s decisive military and diplomatic response to the Pahalgam terror attack, has sent ripples across the global strategic landscape. Its execution and aftermath are reshaping India’s relationships with the US, China, and Russia, each with their own strategic calculus and interests in South Asia. India-US Relations: Enhanced Strategic Convergence The US and Western defence experts have largely hailed Operation Sindoor as a decisive and mature response, underscoring India’s resolve to tackle cross-border terrorism. The operation showcased India’s growing reliance on Western military technology, such as French Rafale jets and US-supplied equipment, signaling a shift away from Russian platforms. By acting swiftly and with precision, India demonstrated strategic clarity and deterrence, which aligns with Washington’s interests in a stable, rules-based Indo-Pacific order. The US, while not overtly intervening, has tacitly supported India’s right to self-defense and its stance against terrorism, further cementing the growing India-US security partnership. India-China Tension: Deepening Strategic Rivalry China’s response was calibrated but critical. Beijing termed India’s military strikes “regrettable,” maintaining its traditional diplomatic shield for Pakistan while avoiding direct condemnation of the terror attack itself. China’s reaction underscores its enduring “all-weather” alliance with Pakistan and exposes the limits of its claimed neutrality in South Asian crises. The episode has further strained India-China ties, reinforcing New Delhi’s skepticism about Beijing’s ambitions as a regional peace-broker and its leadership claims within the Global South. China’s public denial of arms support to Pakistan during the conflict, and its call for restraint, reveal its desire to avoid escalation while still signaling support for Islamabad. India-Russia Strategy: Balancing Old Ties Amid New Realities Operation Sindoor unfolded as Chinese President Xi Jinping was visiting Moscow, highlighting the evolving China-Russia partnership and its implications for India. Russia, traditionally India’s closest defense partner, finds itself in a complex position. While Moscow values its historical ties with New Delhi, its growing alignment with Beijing complicates its neutrality in India-Pakistan crises. The conflict forces Russia to make tough choices: balancing its strategic partnership with India against its deepening ties with China, especially as both countries are increasingly at odds with the US-led order. India’s shift toward Western defense suppliers and its assertive posture signal to Moscow that New Delhi is diversifying its options, but still values Russia as a counterbalance in the broader Eurasian context. Conclusion Operation Sindoor has marked a turning point in India’s foreign policy posture. It has strengthened India’s strategic convergence with the US and its allies, deepened the rift with China, and compelled Russia to navigate a more complex trilateral equation. The operation not only redefined deterrence against cross-border terrorism but also set new terms for India’s engagement with major powers, signaling a more assertive, self-reliant, and globally engaged India.