India’s Multi-Domain Strategy Shifts Pressure on Pakistan

India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack reveals a calculated, multi-sectoral strategy targeting Pakistan through diplomacy, economics, and military readiness. This article explores how India is reshaping regional dynamics using law, leverage, and layered deterrence.

India’s Multi-Domain Strategy Shifts Pressure on Pakistan

In the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, India has launched a sweeping, calculated response that extends far beyond traditional military retaliation. From disrupting long-standing treaties to rallying global diplomatic support, New Delhi is reshaping its approach to Pakistan—one that signals a comprehensive escalation rooted in strategic pressure rather than immediate war.

Rewriting the Playbook: Diplomacy Meets Deterrence

India’s reaction has been both assertive and multifaceted. Rather than respond with a single military strike, the Modi government initiated a synchronized campaign across diplomatic, economic, and military fronts. This recalibrated strategy reflects a new doctrine: exhaust non-kinetic options before escalating into kinetic territory.

Within days of the Pahalgam tragedy, Indian diplomats were in touch with over 100 nations, urging them to recognize and act upon the cross-border threat posed by Pakistan-based terror networks. Key global figures—including US President Joe Biden, France’s Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer—expressed strong condemnation, bolstering India’s case.

This coordinated outreach served dual purposes: it established India’s moral high ground and primed international institutions for further punitive actions. By framing its response within the bounds of international norms, India effectively insulated itself from diplomatic backlash while signaling it would no longer passively absorb such attacks.

Water as Leverage: Indus Treaty in the Crosshairs

Perhaps the most striking element of India’s strategy is its move to suspend cooperation under the Indus Waters Treaty—a pact respected even during full-scale wars. Signed in 1960, the treaty divided the Indus River system, with India managing the eastern rivers and Pakistan the western ones, though India retained limited rights.

India’s decision to halt the sharing of river flow data and assert greater control over its projects along the western rivers is more than symbolic. While the short-term impact on Pakistan’s water supply may be limited, the long-term implications are profound. With over 80% of its agriculture dependent on the Indus system, Pakistan now faces a potential slow-burn crisis—one that could test its resilience across sectors.

Aerial Blockade: Strategic Airspace Denial

Adding another layer of containment, India imposed a ban on Pakistani aircraft from entering its airspace. In effect until May 23, 2025, this decision cuts off a vital aviation corridor, significantly affecting east-bound Pakistani routes and intensifying operational costs for the financially struggling Pakistan International Airlines.

This reciprocal move, announced through a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen), underscores India’s intention to impose pressure without crossing into active conflict. Symbolically, it shuts the door—literally and figuratively—on routine engagement, replacing it with pointed restraint.

Economic Pressure Points: FATF and IMF on Notice

On the economic front, India has launched a two-pronged attack aimed at Pakistan’s global financial standing. First, it is rallying support to place Pakistan back on the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list—a designation that would hinder access to international capital. Having exited the list in 2022, Pakistan now risks re-entry amid renewed global scrutiny.

Second, India is challenging Pakistan’s $7 billion IMF bailout by alleging non-compliance and misuse of funds for destabilizing activities. If successful, these efforts could delay or jeopardize critical financial relief for Islamabad.

India’s arguments appear to be gaining traction. Expressions of solidarity from 23 FATF member states—including the US, France, and UAE—suggest that India’s campaign has credible momentum.

Military Readiness Without Premature Escalation

While India’s response has avoided immediate kinetic action, its armed forces have signaled high alert. On April 25, the Indian Air Force launched Exercise Aakraman—a massive war drill involving precision strikes by Rafale and Su-30MKI jets. Meanwhile, the Navy and Coast Guard secured maritime boundaries with missile tests and surveillance sweeps across the Arabian Sea.

On the ground, Exercise Sanyukt Abhyas emphasized inter-agency readiness, showcasing coordinated operations between the Indian Army and armed police units. These exercises, though partly routine, were clearly tailored to the current crisis, sending a warning without lighting the fuse.

A Calculated Ascent on the Escalation Ladder

India’s post-Pahalgam doctrine isn’t one of rash retribution—it’s a layered escalation built on legal levers, international legitimacy, and visible preparedness. From blocking airspace to disrupting water treaties and influencing global financial policy, each move is surgical, aimed at creating sustained discomfort rather than short-lived shock.

While Pakistan has responded with sporadic firings along the Line of Control—recorded for eight consecutive days as of early May—India’s response has remained measured. This patience is not weakness but strategic clarity, reinforcing New Delhi’s narrative as the responsible actor in a volatile region.

Conclusion: Redrawing the Line in South Asian Diplomacy

The events following the Pahalgam terror strike have unveiled a transformed India—more assertive, more coordinated, and more determined to shape the rules of engagement. By employing a spectrum of strategic tools, New Delhi is signaling a long-term shift in how it confronts cross-border terrorism.

As tensions remain high and diplomatic maneuvering intensifies, the world is witnessing a regional power redefine its playbook. India’s methodical, multi-sectoral response may well serve as a new model for statecraft in the age of hybrid threats—one where moral authority, military strength, and international alignment converge to form a formidable shield.

Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available reports, official statements, and ongoing geopolitical developments as of May 2025. The views expressed aim to inform and analyze, not to promote or endorse conflict or political positions.

source :Firstpost