Operation Sindoor: Gulf Restraint, Pakistan’s Reply
Context: A Flashpoint and a Warning
India’s Operation Sindoor began on 7 May 2025 after the Pahalgam attack. Pakistan called the strikes an act of war and vowed to respond. As the crisis escalated, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates urged restraint and backed a swift diplomatic off-ramp. Their public statements stressed dialogue and de-escalation. Notably, the precise phrase “we cannot afford another Gaza” appears only in social posts, not in official communiqués.
What the Gulf Actually Said
The UAE foreign minister publicly called on India and Pakistan to avoid military escalation and pursue dialogue. Qatar expressed “deep concern”, pressing both sides to exercise maximum restraint and resolve the crisis through diplomatic means. These are the on-record positions. Therefore, any stronger wording remains unverified.
From Strikes to Ceasefire
Fighting surged for four tense days. However, the hotline between the Directors General of Military Operations eventually restored calm. Both sides announced a ceasefire effective at 17:00 IST on 10 May 2025. Qatar welcomed the agreement the same day, underscoring Gulf support for de-escalation.
Pakistan’s Riposte and the Deterrence Problem
Pakistan framed its response as measured but firm, designed to re-establish deterrence without uncontrolled escalation. Reuters reported on the claims and counterclaims made by both militaries as they adjusted their messaging for domestic and international audiences. As a result, both sides continued to contest the narrative space, but the ceasefire managed to hold. Reuters
Strategy: Precision, Signalling, and Escalation Control
Analysts see Operation Sindoor as part of a broader evolution in Indian coercive strategy: limited, time-bound strikes, clear signalling, and room for deescalation. That approach forced rapid diplomatic engagement while constraining the conflict window. Pakistan’s calibrated reply tried to impose reciprocal costs, yet avoid horizontal or vertical escalation. Thus, both sides tested thresholds without breaching them.
The Gulf’s Calculus and Regional Risk
For Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, stability across South Asia is not abstract. Energy flows, diaspora safety, aviation hubs, and investment exposure all sit at risk during a South Asian crisis. Therefore, their early calls for restraint and visible support for a ceasefire reflect a pragmatic security and economic logic rather than mere public grandstanding. That logic also explains the swift endorsement of the truce.
“Gaza” Rhetoric vs Verified Diplomacy
Some posts claimed Qatar and the United Arab Emirates had privately urged Islamabad not to retaliate because the region “could not afford another Gaza.” Yet official statements do not use that language. Instead, they emphasise restraint and diplomacy. For a technical record, analysts and ministries cite de-escalation mechanics, not emotive frames. Consequently, responsible coverage should treat the “Gaza” line as unverified. Foreign Affairs Ministry + 1
Takeaways for Force and Policy
Operation Sindoor Pakistan retaliation highlights a familiar pattern: limited strikes, deliberate messaging, and swift diplomatic pressure. Operation Sindoor Pakistan retaliation also shows how Gulf partners can reinforce crisis termination without mediating force deployments. Moreover, Operation Sindoor Pakistan retaliation underlines the value of hotline discipline and timing.
Ultimately, Operation Sindoor Pakistan retaliation reaffirms that military action now lives inside a narrow political envelope shaped by regional stakeholders. Therefore, Operation Sindoor Pakistan retaliation will inform future South Asian crisis playbooks—on both sides of the border and across the Gulf. In summary, the Operation Sindoor Pakistan retaliation struck a balance between coercion and control, while external actors engaged in diplomatic efforts.
References
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs — “Abdullah bin Zayed calls for restraint between India and Pakistan” (7 May 2025): https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/mediahub/news/2025/5/7/7-5-2025-uae-india
- Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs — “Qatar follows with deep concern… and calls for resolving the crisis through diplomatic means.” (7 May 2025): https://mofa.gov.qa/en/latest-articles/statements/qatar-follows-with-deep-concern-the-continuing-escalation-between-india-and-pakistan-and-calls-for-resolving-the-crisis-through-diplomatic-means
- Government of India, MEA — “Statement by Foreign Secretary” (10 May 2025): https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/39488/Statement_by_Foreign_Secretary_May_10_2025
- War on the Rocks — “Operation Sindoor and the Evolution of India’s Military Strategy Against Pakistan” (19 May 2025): https://warontherocks.com/2025/05/operation-sindoor-and-the-evolution-of-indias-strategy-against-pakistan/
