New Delhi, May 14 – After days of high tension and heartache, there’s a new sense of calm and cautious optimism across India. In the wake of the successful ‘Operation Sindoor’ and a fragile but hopeful ceasefire agreement with Pakistan, the Union Cabinet is set to meet today in New Delhi — a gathering seen as both symbolic and strategic.
This will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first full Cabinet meeting since the dramatic de-escalation of conflict, following the terrorist attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam on April 22. The attack shook the nation, sparking military action that saw India respond with force and clarity. The Indian Air Force’s targeted strikes reportedly destroyed 11 Pakistani airbases, sending a strong and unequivocal message: India will protect its people.
But war is never the goal. Peace — hard-earned and dignified — is the priority.
That goal came closer when, on May 10, a ceasefire was declared. In a surprising move, the first announcement came from US President Donald Trump, signaling that behind the scenes, diplomacy had been quietly working. American officials later confirmed that Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were in constant contact with both India and Pakistan, helping guide both countries back from the brink.
Still, India has made it clear: this was a self-defensive mission. ‘Operation Sindoor’ was a testament to India’s military precision and resolve. But the road ahead now turns toward healing, rebuilding trust, and securing peace.
Ahead of today’s Cabinet meeting, PM Modi led a high-level security review at his residence. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, and military leaders including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan joined him to assess the evolving situation.
Today’s Cabinet discussions are expected to shape India’s next steps — how to consolidate the strategic wins of Operation Sindoor, how to engage globally and regionally, and how to ensure such violence never touches Indian soil again.
There’s no illusion about the challenges ahead. But in a country that has seen too much loss, this moment feels like a breath — a brief, hopeful pause — to chart a path forward.
