Sat Jun 14 12:21:06 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the interview with Shiv Shankar Menon:
**Headline: Former NSA Menon Analyzes India’s Response to Terror, China’s Role, and ‘Operation Sindoor’**
**New Delhi, June 14, 2025** – In the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack and “Operation Sindoor,” former National Security Advisor (NSA) Shiv Shankar Menon offered a critical analysis of India’s strategic posture, its relationship with Pakistan and China, and the importance of narrative control in conflict.
Speaking to *The Hindu*, Menon, a veteran diplomat who has served as India’s Ambassador to China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Israel, emphasized that while Indian diplomacy has effectively communicated its stance on terrorism, global actors will prioritize their own interests when responding to Indo-Pakistani tensions.
Menon described India’s approach to terrorism from Pakistan as resembling “mowing the grass,” acknowledging that forceful responses are sometimes necessary but unlikely to provide a permanent solution, given the nature of Pakistani politics and the Pakistan Army’s reliance on terrorist organizations.
A key concern raised by Menon is the evolving strategic relationship between China and Pakistan. He noted a closer “military fusion” between the two countries, with Pakistan increasingly adopting Chinese equipment, doctrines, and warfighting methods. While China has historically voiced support for Pakistan, Menon urged observation of their actions. “There’s a level of military fusion there, which is much closer than it’s ever been before, and that is something worth watching.”
Regarding “Operation Sindoor,” Menon conceded that a complete picture of events is still unclear. While the government acknowledges losses without specifying them, he emphasized the importance of learning from the conflict. “No war goes according to plan… Question is, can you learn quickly enough? Can you adjust?”
Menon strongly criticized the Indian media for spreading unverified and outlandish stories during the conflict, which undermined India’s credibility. He also faulted the government’s initial silence, stating that Pakistan successfully shaped the narrative in the early stages of the conflict, being “six to 12 hours ahead of India’s.”
Regarding a perceived lack of international support for India during the conflict, compared to support received by Pakistan, Menon stated that countries act in their own interests, and India should not expect or seek endorsements, especially given its commitment to bilateral resolution of disputes. “If your self-esteem is so weak that you need other people to tell you ‘well done’, then frankly, you are not a serious strategic power.”
Finally, Menon defended the government’s decision to send parliamentary delegations abroad, viewing it as a useful signal of national unity and an attempt to shift the narrative away from the perception of India and Pakistan as “irresponsible nuclear weapon states.” He expressed surprise that delegations were not sent to neighboring countries.
Menon’s analysis offers a nuanced perspective on the complex challenges facing India in the current geopolitical landscape.
First Piper 