OPERATION
THURSDAY 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm MAY 22
India’s decisive and high-impact military response, code-named ‘Operation Sindoor’, launched in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attacks, will be remembered as a landmark event in contemporary strategic and defence discourse. Executed with surgical precision, the operation targeted cross-border terror infrastructure in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir (PoK) and mainland Pakistan, without violating international boundaries. The outcome demonstrated India’s enhanced military capabilities and strategic maturity.
Operation Sindoor has drawn widespread acclaim for its planning, precision, and operational success. Global military analysts have lauded India's ability to neutralize terror threats without escalating the situation into a full-scale war Notably, the Indian Air Force (IAF) executed pinpoint strikes that incapacitated key radar and air-defence installations within two nights a feat reminiscent of the strategic surprise achieved by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967.
Despite its clear objectives and limited timeframe, the operation was momentarily extended when Pakistan retaliated with attacks targeting civilian settlements along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) India’s swift and overwhelming response not only thwarted these attempts but also conveyed a firm message on its readiness to defend sovereignty without hesitation.
However, the international narrative has been mixed. While India's achievements were evident, some sections of the global community, particularly in the West have been reluctant to fully acknowledge the scale and significance of the operation. This includes political leaders such as US President Donald Trump, who attempted to position himself as a peacemaker despite India maintaining strategic autonomy throughout the conflict.
The seminar will also reflect on the broader geopolitical implications of Operation Sindoor. The evolving equations with regional players such as China, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, and their nuanced responses, signal new dimensions in India’s foreign policy challenges. Particularly with China, the path to normalisation may face short-term setbacks due to heightened public sentiment in India post-operation.
India has once again reiterated its long-standing stance from the days of the Bangladesh War and the Simla Accord rejecting third-party mediation and direct dialogue with Pakistan unless there is verifiable cessation of cross-border terrorism.
As India navigates the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, the nation stands at a critical juncture What lies ahead? How should India recalibrate its strategic posture in a changing global and regional context?
Join us for this insightful seminar as eminent speakers and strategic experts dissect the military, diplomatic, and geopolitical dimensions of Operation Sindoor and explore the road ahead for India.
Programme
5:45 PM
Registration & Hi-Tea
6:30 PM
Welcome Address
Mr K Mahalingam President, MMA & Partner/Director, TSM Group of Companies
Overview
Lt Gen K S Brar, PVSM, AVSM General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area
Address by the Special Invitees
Air Marshal M Matheswaran, AVSM, VM, Ph.D (Retd) Chairman & President
The Peninsula Foundation, Chennai
Mr Dilip Sinha, IFS (Retd) Former Ambassador & Permanent Representative of India to United Nations
Dr A Sivathanu Pillai, PhD, D.Sc. Founder, BrahMos Aerospace
Lt Gen A Arun (Retd), PVSM, YSM, SM, VSM Indian Army
Q& A
Moderated by Air Marshal M Matheswaran, AVSM, VM, Ph.D (Retd)
Concluding Remarks
Mr N Sathiya Moorthy Convenor, Policy Matters - Chennai
8:25 PM Vote of Thanks 8:30 PM
Gp Capt R Vijayakumar (Retd), VSM Executive Director, Madras Management Association
End of the program
Lt Gen K S Brar, PVSM, AVSM
General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area
Lt Gen K S Brar, took over as General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Dakshin Bharat Area, Chennai on 15 April 2023. The General Officer KS Brar has an enviable career spanning close to four decades, across varied operational areas and sectors to include North East, Jammu & Kashmir, deserts and plains. His command appointments include Command of a Brigade in Jammu & Kashmir in Counter Insurgency Operations, a Sector in the UN Mission in South Sudan and an Infantry Division in the Western Sector. Before assuming Command as GOCDakshin Bharat Area, the General Officer was the Director GeneralArmoured Corps and he was driving the Light Tank, Swarm Drone and other niche technology projects for the Army.
The General Officer has excelled in all courses, has two M. Phil degrees to his credit and is an IT savvy. He has the distinction of being part of the team which took the first tank to Ladakh Sector way back in 1987 and has also led a delegation to Bangladesh to conduct a Joint IndoBangladesh Seminar on UN Peacekeeping. The General Officer was conferred with AVSM, awarded twice each with COAS and GOC-in-C Eastern Command Commendation Cards.
The GOC on assuming command of Dakshin Bharat Area pledges to keep up the rich traditions of the Armed Forces and to effectively lead Dakshin Bharat Area and ensure operational readiness, judicious administration and welfare of veteran community.
Air Marshal M Matheswaran, AVSM, VM, Ph.D (Retd)
Chairman & President
The Peninsula Foundation, Chennai
Air Marshal M Matheswaran, AVSM VM Ph.D (Veteran) is an Indian Air Force veteran of 39 years ’ service and an outstanding fighter pilot, who has been an Experimental Test Pilot at the Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment and a Fighter Combat Leader of the Tactics & Air Combat Development Establishment. By virtue of holding significant command and staff appointments, he gathered extensive experience in Defence Strategy, Research & Development, Space Strategy and Electronics & Information Warfare; before retiring while being the Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, responsible for policy, plans and force development. The President of India has honoured him by the awards of Athi Vishsht Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal A soldierscholar, he holds a Ph D in Defence & Strategic Studies from the University of Madras, a postgraduate diploma in Finance Management and a Senior Fellowship in International & National Security from Harvard University’s John F Kennedy School of Governance. He is an alumnus of the National Defence College, New Delhi. The Air Marshal is the Founder-President of ‘The Peninsula Foundation’ a Chennai-based, non-profit, non-partisan, public policy research think tank. He is also a strategic consultant for aerospace and defence industries
Mr Dilip Sinha, IFS (Retd)
Former Ambassador &
Permanent Representative of India to United Nations
Mr. Dilip Sinha is an Indian diplomat, former public administrator and also served as Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in Geneva.
Mr. Sinha was Additional Secretary and then Special Secretary for International Organizations and Environmental Diplomacy in the Government of India from 2010 to 2012. In this capacity, Mr. Sinha was responsible for coordinating India's diplomacy at the multilateral level, particularly in the UN Security Council and on climate change negotiations.
Mr Sinha served as Ambassador of India to Greece from 2007 to 2010, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh from 2002 to 2004 and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Brazil from 1999 to 2002. Earlier international postings include Minister (Economic) in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in Geneva, First Secretary at the High Commission of India in Pakistan and Second Secretary at the Embassy of India in Egypt and in Germany.
At the Ministry of External Affairs in India, Mr. Sinha was Joint Secretary in charge of the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran desk from 2005 to 2007, Director in the Prime Minister's Office from 1992 to 1995 and Deputy Secretary for Press Relations from 1990 to 1991.
Mr Sinha joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1978 after working briefly in the State Bank of India. He holds a Masters degree in Political Science from Patna University, India .
Dr A Sivathanu Pillai, PhD, D.Sc.
Founder, BrahMos Aerospace
Leadership Roles:
Distinguished Visiting Professor, IIT(Bombay)
Adjunct Faculty, Indian Institute of Technology, (Madras)
President, Project Management Associates, India
Sir C V Raman Chair Professor, SRMIST
Fmr Hon’ Distinguished Professor, ISRO
Fmr Chief Controller (R&D), DRDO
Dr. A. Sivathanu Pillai is a distinguished Indian scientist and technologist with over five decades of pioneering contributions in aerospace and defence. He graduated in Electrical Engineering from Madras University (1969), completed a management program at Harvard Business School, earned a PhD from Pune University (1996), and a D.Sc. from Tumkur University (2012)
He played a pivotal role in India’s space and missile programs under visionary leaders like Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Prof. Satish Dhawan, and Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, with whom he shared a 40-year collaboration Dr Pillai was instrumental in the development of SLV-3 and the configuration of PSLV for ISRO. As Program Director of IGMDP and Chief Controller R&D at DRDO, he drove the development of Agni, Prithvi, Nag, and Akash missiles
As Founder, CEO & MD of BrahMos Aerospace, a landmark Indo-Russian joint venture, Dr. Pillai led the creation of the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile BRAHMOS now a key asset of India’s defence arsenal Recognised as the "Father of BrahMos," he also initiated the development of hypersonic technologies for future systems.
A global defence technologist, he has authored 11 books, published over 100 research papers, and co-authored works with Dr. Kalam. Dr. Pillai is a Padma Shri (2002) and Padma Bhushan (2013) awardee, and recipient of Russia's "Order of Friendship." He continues to promote innovations in hypersonics, green hydrogen, and youth development
Lt Gen A Arun (Retd), PVSM, YSM, SM, VSM Indian Army
An All-India rank holder in IIT-JEE, he refused to join IITs and instead joined the National Defence Academy in 1982.
A graduate of the Defence Services Staff College (Wellington - India), Centre for Defence & Strategic Studies, Canberra-Australia and National Defence College (New Delhi).
Experienced in managing personnel and logistics of International Task Forces in Cambodia and Sierra Leone and handling short-term projects in forecasting and structuring of large coalitions, including significant civilian components at the UN Headquarters in New York
Multiple Masters Degrees in Defence, Strategic Management, Nation Building and Conflict Prevention and Creative Writing. Post Graduate Studies in Personnel Management, Human Resources Development and Creative Writing.
Seriously wounded in operations in Jammu and Kashmir. A recipient of the Sena Medal for Gallantry, Yudh Seva Medal for Outstanding Leadership in Conflict, Vishisht Seva Medal for Distinguished Leadership and Outstanding Service.
Awarded the Chief of Army Staff’s commendation four times in addition to the ‘North Star Medal for Excellence’
Passionate about personality development in general and ‘People – Leadership Development’ in particular. Has conducted about 1000 sessions across a variety of audiences on varied topics. Created a record by successfully conducting a very large workshop for about 17,200 students from all-over India on ‘Leadership and Happiness’, in one session. Conducts workshops for schools / colleges / corporates / within the Army when time permits.
General Officer Career
Arun was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed as General officer commanding a mountain division in the North East. He subsequently served as the Deputy Commandant, Chief Instructor, and officiating Commandant of the Officers Training Academy, Chennai. He also served as Commandant of the Infantry School, Mhow. Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, he served as the Director General of Strategic Planning at Army headquarters.
On 2 January 2021, Arun was appointed the General Officer Commanding Dakshin Bharat Area Earlier called the Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala Area (ATNK&K Area), the Dakshin Bharat area is a static formation that provides administrative, logistical, and infrastructure support to formations and establishments in these states as well as the union territories of Puducherry and Lakshadweep In February 2022, he took over as the Colonel of the Grenadiers from Lieutenant General Rajeev Sirohi In April 2023, he was appointed Chief of Staff of South Western Command in Jaipur On 26 January 2024, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
