Curiously, when it comes to official analysis about the losses in Operation Sindoor, there are only claims but no counter-claims. The claims may or may not be correct, but Pakistan’s military chief Asif Munir has made a statement, saying the estimated losses Pakistan suffered in the military action by India were “less than expected.” India, which reported victory in the three-day offensive against Pakistan in May, is not in a mood yet to “disclose” vital details even in Parliament. Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi too talked in riddles when he addressed the IIT Madras, saying Operation Sindoor was a “strategic grey zone mission,” which he likened to a “game of chess.” The audience got no fresh information about the war and was left to draw inferences from his statements like, “We played chess and they too played chess.” But, he compensated this with a clear verbal offensive against Pakistan’s decision to elevate its army chief Asim Munir to the rank of five-star general and field marshal. What Pakistan does in matters of military ranking does not warrant an open response from a high military authority in India.
On the other hand, curiosity also centres around the visit by Munir to the United States for the second time in two months after the launch of Operation Sindoor– which was followed by a mysterious ‘ceasefire’ announcement from the US President. Munir, during his present visit, met both the political and military leaderships there, which is not unusual. The general trend is that the US engages Pakistan at both political and military levels through separate meetings, knowing full well that the military dictates to the political leadership in this Islamic nation. The clear message of the present meeting is a further strengthening of the relations between Pakistan and the US, even as Islamabad is a trusted ally of China at multiple levels. A highlight of Munir’s last visit was a private luncheon with President Donald Trump himself.
With such alliances strengthening, Trump’s “announcement” of a ceasefire at a crucial phase of Operation Sindoor now looks more like a virtual insult to India. In a matching flurry, Trump has bared his fangs also by initiating an aggressive tariff war on India. By adopting a “strategy of silence” in these evolving situations vis-à-vis the US, the Modi establishment is doing a disservice to the nation. While Pakistan is making official statements about its “less than expected” losses in the Operation Sindoor, India is silent and perhaps losing against the rival’s “disinformation” war. Why should Munir getting a promotion become our concern? As a nation, India cannot afford to miss the woods for the trees.