Goli Ka Jawab Gola: Modi’s Forceful Response to Pakistan

Action Over Words: Modi’s ‘Gola’ Retaliation Against Pakistan

The slogan, “Goli Ka Jawab Gola”, corresponds to a significant change in the approach of India to its responses confronted with provocations by Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The strategy characterized with a fast robust response broke away from the previously more conservative policies significantly. In reaction to big terrorist incidents Modi tried to convey a clear message through his actions. India was telling the world that it would not allow any form of cross border terrorism and it would stand by its sovereignty with every fiber of purpose.

The attack in Urui in the year 2016 found militants to attack and penetrate an Indian army base resulting in a huge number of losses for both sides. This was a turning point in this incident. Modi’s decision to deploy surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC), was a departure from India’s approach. India declined diplomatic overtures and used a quick intervention through the military action to cause terror infrastructure, in the region under Pakistan control. Not a major operation, the operation had an important symbolic purpose, demonstrating readiness to use military force on the part of India.

More severe actions came after the 2019 Pulwama attack where the suicide bomber blew up an Indian convoy of troops. India showed its strong stance against militant groups by bombing a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Pakistan with the Balakot airstrikes. Such actions did not only seek to act in response as incidents occurred. the objective was to punish Pakistan-backed terror networks more for future attacks.

Some of Modi’s technique entailed open and affirmed attempts to inform the citizens of what he did. The “Goli Ka Jawab Gola” messaging resonated with Indians that desired their government to do something on terrorism. It proved a leader who is not hesitant to defend national interests by force. It was supposed to send a message that was crystal clear to Pakistan’s military leadership:<< There were limits to the tolerance of India, which could not be passed, either the rest would elicit a response that should be appropriate and, if necessary, unequal.

Sovereignty was a recurrent theme in Modi’s rhetoric. Modi’s actions sought to reclaim India’s strategic space and send the message that India would stand up for its borders and citizens. Modi’s unilateral stance challenged the conception of restraint and proper use of force– defense, rather than reliance on deterrence– on which Indian political elites had based their previous security calculus. Modi, empowered by a parliamentary majority, believed he could change the strategic calculus of cross-border terrorism perpetrated by Pakistan, and in doing so make India a more robust security actor.

With retribution not being without its naysayers, some in India warned of escalation, and possible direct conflict. While acknowledging the use of military action carries risks and the dangers associated with returning to forms of coercive retaliation was always alluded to, the Modi government reassured itself that any inaction in the face of violence could only serve to embolden terrorist groups in Pakistan. Overall, the “Goli Ka Jawab Gola” doctrine exhibited a willingness to accept a measure of risk and even escalation, while balancing it with a complex mix of deterrence.

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Overall, the phrase represents a shift from a reactive to a proactive security policy in that it implies action, rather than words, are the pillars of effective security policy action. Actions that were intended to communicate resolve modalities that express India’s sovereignty and acts as a disincentive for potentially belligerent states in the future. The “Goli Ka Jawab Gola” policy’s legitimacy, effectiveness, and long-term stabilising ramifications for the region are still very openly debated.

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