In Episode 26 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss India’s Operation Sindoor, evolving military posture, diplomacy, and the challenges of reporting during heightened conflict. In the discussion are foreign affairs reporter Smita Sharma and Takshashila Institution co-founder Nitin pai.

On India’s airstrikes, Nitin Pai says, “The three points Uri, Balakot, and Sindoor form a straight line — one that is the new normal, which says that India will respond with military force to a terrorist attack above a certain threshold.”

Smita explains the strategic importance of the terrorist camps India targeted on May 7: “Bahawalpur was a breeding ground for Jaish-e-Mohammad. For India, it’s a big boost that Masood Azhar confirmed these strikes, saying 10 of his family members were killed.”

On Pakistan’s retaliatory shelling and its “tit for tat” strategy, Nitin says, “There are no terrorists in India. There's no equivalent of a militant group in India that is connected to the Indian army or Indian armed forces that Pakistan can attack in retaliation. If they have to respond, they will attack the Indian army or security force’s relatively small installations. And that becomes an escalation.”

Smita warns about the risks of domestic militarism in Pakistan, “They have been crying for attention. US president Donald Trump, in his last presidency, had cut off financial aid meant for Pakistan. So for them, why have they been talking today for the DGI SPR, the Pakistan Army spokesperson, to do a press conference and admit that Indians managed to injure four Pakistani soldiers in Lahore? It's because they want to present a case to the world that they have so far only acted in defense.”

The panel also critiques India’s own preparedness and political narrative. Dhanya and Pooja question why civilians in areas like Poonch weren’t evacuated in time, and why Indian media isn’t pressing harder for accountability.

The speakers also discussed many more issues like the threat of a nuclear war, the cost of war, and the complexity of reporting on military action in an age of misinformation.

All this and more—tune in.

Follow Smita Sharma's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@smitasharmajournalist

Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com

Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.

Audio Timecodes

00:00:00- Introduction

00:02:21- Headlines

00:09:55 -Operation Sindoor

1:04:19 - Support TNM

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

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