A politician to the boot... But Narendra Modi's admirers and lakhs of his BJP karyakartas and RSS foot-soldiers want him to be a trooper -- lead the nation Bharat and fight the cause of Hindutva.
Narendra Modi can mix Diplomacy, Politics and personal image of a Performer like few others.
That Bharat/India is also an old civilisation is just not a coincidence for Modi.
In 2019 post-Balakot strike; an informed source in the government had revealed to some of us - covering foreign ministry and strategic matters -- that the Prime MInister's incisive grasp of the situation and quick and updated acumen for planning left military officers and others impressed.
These also drew attention of those in the military.
Operation Sindoor came in 2025 as a response to the Pahalgam tragedy that claimed the lives of one Nepai and 25 Indian tourists (most if not all Hindus).
For three nights it appeared India was unto a decisive phase of battle - following 'Israel Model' - with Pakistan. But on May 10th; India agreed for a ceasefire.
Who influenced him the most. One perception is as a peace-broker, no less than US Vice President J D Vance's call to PM Narendra Modi was critical.
Pakistan is and has been what Bharat is never !!
Many may not remember that at the global stage Modi's stance vis-a-vis Russia-Ukraine conflict has been that - "this is not the era of war". It is obvious all of a sudden that could not be kept aside. Right from the beginning Modi had made it clear to Vance and others that one or two mega strike was imminent as national interests comes first.
Moreover, the Pahalgam assault directly linked to Hindustan's self-respect -- something well echoed by Modi's rivals such as Shashi Tharoor and Asaduddin Owaisi.
But once May 6-7 overnight passed with 25 minutes of history; Pakistan was left rattled.
The Operation Sindoor struck as many as nine terrorist installations – four in Pakistan and five in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
Pakistan - leaking wounds - but admitted to 26 dead and 42 wounded.
Indis'a Defence Minister Rajnath Singh later said the casualty figures would be above 100 even as military sources initially had put the figure as about 80.
Paradoxically, Vance was in India on April 22 when Pak-sponsored terrorists had struck at Pahalgam.
Vance reportedly met resident Donald Trump twice on Thursday specifically to discuss the India-Pakistan conflict.
On Friday (India time afternoon hours); the US Vice President spoke to Modi.
The major challenge for the US top brass was that India and Pakistan have been virtually not in talking terms. The ice had to be broken.
On May 8th, both the NSAs (Ajit Doval and his Pak counterpart) were in touch. Americans did not want things to escalate as the world is yet to handle other ongoing armed conflicts such as Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas.
Modi was encouraged to opt for diplomacy and politics of reconciliation for what is stated to be the 'bigger global cause'.
Both Vance and Marco Rubio repeatedly told Indian side that the Operation Sindoor achieved its target.
It was a brilliant piece of planning, executing and "branding ".
Ek chutki bhar Sindoor and the message was very powerful -- retribution for the 'removal' of the sacred vermilion (Sindoor) worn by every Hindu married woman.
Once the husband is no more; the Indian/Hindu women are prohibited from using Sindoor. These are powerful symbols and the both Vance and Marco Rubio knew about their socio-political context.
The White House believed there was a high probability for drastic and dramatic escalation of the conflict. Washington feared there should not come a time when everyone would say --- it's late now and the war cannot be stopped.
This is the problem with other global challenges -- the two wars - Russia and Ukraine and also Israel-Hamas conflict.
Hence from his own perspective Modi was convinced that he was flattered as well as convinced to have his country/NSA or foreign minister communicate with Pakistan directly.
Team Modi in the foreign policy engine room realised that a core group in Team Trump including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State and interim national security adviser Marco Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles had been closely monitoring the escalating conflict. They were assigned to deliver quickly.
Now that the first stage of reconciliation had been reached; Modi could be defeated in India too.
Pakistan may also get back to Rawalpindi's round table to count their losses or gains.
But for the Trump administration (that came to power in Jan 2025), it's a major diplomatic success.
Vance also gets a pat on the back to be shared with Marco Rubio.
President Trump may stake a claim for the award 'global peace maker'.
Trump's passion is to take personal credit and so the greatest disappointment would come if Pak's violations can yet again India to retaliate.
What has India achieved? Besides those what can be described in military terms, it has gained something psychological -- The Namo Govt's forces 'precisely' struck at terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan, despite Islamabad's repeated nuclear threats.
#Indus Water Treaty suspension remains unaffected. No information will be shared with #Pakistan ...
#water projects work will be on soon on three rivers.
Elimination of dreaded terrorists.
Team Modi may also note that Pakistan army is not 'strengthened' post-Operation Sindoor.
Gen Asim Munir may differ with PM Shehbaz Sharif more as his grip over things will be questioned.
Munir is weakened as he has permanently harmed Pakistan’s food and water security.
Rawalpindi remains incurable. Rawalpindi bosses have faced protest over Imran Khan. Munir's only survival tablet will be 'further encourage to terrorism'.
India will have to be more than vigilant.
ends
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