Face to Face : Former Army Commander Lt Gen Abhay Krishna (Retd) :::: “Admitting Pak defeat is admitting poor performance of Chinese and US weapon systems” ,

Lt Gen Abhay Krishna (Retd) has been chief of three Army commands - South Western Command, Eastern Command and Central Command.

Silence from US to Tokyo is subtle nod of approval for Op. Sindoor

“Admitting Pak defeat is also admitting poor performance of Chinese and American systems”, he says  

# We are having this conversation at a time when the Govt of India has decided to depute as many as seven delegations of MPs to various countries to give India's version of the Op Sindoor and the essential salient feature of Indo-Pak relations in the wake of this latest conflict. 

How do you look at the entire spectrum ... Indian success in the military operation and subsequent developments?

 

Lt Gen Abhay Krishna (Retd): 

Life always puts one at crossroads .... one way or the other. This time again, we have achieved a lot. But we are still at a crossroad. Maybe some locations and some goal posts have changed. 

The Indian military’s success in Operation Sindoor has created a moment of hard-won leverage, but today wars aren’t just won fighting across the border through bunkers and airstrikes. They also need to be won in conference rooms and press briefings too. 

This domain is called ‘perception management’. 

Recognising this, India has pivoted fast. The formation of all-party delegations to key world capitals signals something deeper than diplomacy. It signals political unity which is very encouraging. 

In our country where internal disagreement is the norm, this rare consensus projects our strength abroad. It tells the world that on matters of sovereignty and territorial integrity, India speaks with one voice. 

While the soldiers held the line, now it’s the diplomats and politicians who will win the peace and the narrative.

# Can you elaborate little more on this ? 

Lt Gen Abhay Krishna (Retd): 

For many decades there was an idea that China would come out in open to the rescue of Pakistan and Pakistanis too believed that. But the way Op Sindoor unfolded, we are now presented with a totally different situation. 

I believe that Beijing has suggested that Pakistan should take care of its own security.  India didn’t get a loud support from global powers after Op Sindoor but what’s more telling is what India actually didn’t get, that is, ‘resistance as also no condemnation and no calls for restraint’. 

That silence, extending from Washington to Paris to Tokyo, is a subtle nod of approval. It’s a recognition that India acted within its sphere of influence and in line with emerging global realities. 

Unlike Pakistan, India doesn’t require public endorsements to validate its actions. Because it is not a client state. Pakistan, on the other hand, thrives on noisy support from Turkey, Azerbaijan and the Gulf because it plays a rented role in the great power theatre. 

It's the classic ‘useful idiot’, kept on the leash by others to serve their external interests. 

India, with its autonomy intact and strategic choices , shows that the real strength lies in being respected and not managed. Hats off to our current leadership.

# But the 'perception battle' as you put it. The western media seems to suggest Pakistan has won, something which is not true and Pakistani generals are only keeping their own people misinformed.

 

 Lt Gen Abhay Krishna (Retd): 

That's why it is called perception war. It is different from a battle on the ground. Some of the headlines in the western media are comical but they also make me angry. One paper says: "Pakistan feels like it's winning". 

It is a distortion and a fabricated statement. It shows a clear anti-India stance. Despite India’s clear tactical edge in Op Sindoor, global media coverage and especially in the West are often parroting Pakistani talking points.

 This isn’t a coincidence. There are structural incentives behind it. Much of Pakistan’s military runs on American defence technology and thus, admitting to its failure would also mean admitting to the underperformance of American systems. 

At a time when the US is battling for defence export dominance, that kind of media narrative will be totally inconvenient. 

Adding to that, Chinese stake in major media platforms is another layer of pressure. Pakistan’s deployment of Chinese tech, like the JF-10C and PL-15 mustn’t be shown as ineffective either. The result? 

The media narrative that avoids uncomfortable truths then underplays India’s success.

 It’s not about facts. It’s about protecting reputation. 

In that landscape, India must invest not just in war fighting capabilities but in narrative warfare too.

 

# But will that help Pakistan?

 

Lt Gen Abhay Krishna (Retd): 

You have said it... I do not think that it will help. Actually, Pakistan has lost in every department of the game. Western and American experts have even said that Pakistan ran away seeking peace and ceasefire, like dogs do with tails between their legs. 

But it is always wise never to underestimate the enemies. Moreover, Pakistan does not have a government which is accountable to people. 

Its government is accountable to army only and the army is accountable to none. The helpless people are destined to suffer and get humiliated repeatedly

  

# So, where do we go from here ... next five years or 20 years... What will be Pakistan's fate?

Lt Gen Abhay Krishna (Retd): 

I cannot predict anyone's future. But I can surely predict that as long as Pakistan is there, India's problems at the borders and with terrorism front are far from over. 

Pakistan's economic condition is grim and both internal and external security landscapes have nosedived. It's almost pathetic as far as its defence systems are concerned. The larger mass Pakistanis are not at all happy about the prevailing situation but they are unable to do much.

  

# So, how should India prepare and how would Pakistan react on ground and diplomacy at least in the next few years to come?

 

Lt Gen Abhay Krishna (Retd): 

During the stint of Imran Khan, the Pakistan army had earned a very bad reputation. It has not changed much lately also and Pak army has turned unpopular and being extremely political.

These are virtues only of a totally unprofessional military in any country.  

Now this Op Sindoor and fighting the so called “Kafir nation” India as they say, this can help Gen Syed Asim Munir re-frame the public image of the military. I think people are yet to realise and understand how badly they have actually lost in just three days of military action unleashed by India.

And even if they understand, they may take another 30 years, that is next generation, to unite and decide about confronting their own army who are mainly responsible for the pathetic state of their country prevailing since the time they came into existence.

 

Ends