Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday confirmed that India did not invoke its Union War Book 2010 during Operation Sindoor.
Terming Operation Sindoor as a perfect example bearing the “Whole Nation Approach”, he said the approach helped in ticking all right boxes off the Union War Book without invoking it.
The Union War Book 2010 is an official classified document prepared by the Government of India, which outlines the detailed procedures and responsibilities of various government departments and agencies during a time of war or national emergency. The 200 pages blue manual outlines in detail the responsibilities, coordination mechanisms, and strategic actions to be undertaken by various branches of the government, both at the central and state levels, during times of armed conflict or national emergency.
Addressing a gathering at the AIMA’s 52nd National Management Convention here, Gen Dwivedi said Op Sindoor was an amalgam of everything. “We had soldiers to various commanders. We had scientists on field, off-field and policymakers. Certain actions which were required to be taken were taken in a pre-emptive manner,” he said.
The COAS also emphasized that even equipment still in trial stages or pending delivery was mobilized swiftly, exactly as per operational requirements.
“So, it was a whole nation approach which was there. The government agencies, the railways, civil aviation. Whatever was required to be moved, requests made and items moved. I can just say that wherever we went, everybody was saying okay what is to be done by when it is to be done. That was the approach we had for Op Sindoor. If I can say that all the right boxes were ticked off Union War Book without invoking it,” added the COAS.
Emphasizing that modern warfare is no longer limited to traditional front lines, the Army Chief drew parallels between Operation Sindoor and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. “Today’s warfare is diffused, dispersed, and pervasive, it’s not confined to any front line,” he stated. “This time, we didn’t always know where the missiles would land or where drones were operating. We also faced various forms of cyber attacks. There was no defined frontline, no clear border.”
General Dwivedi pointed out that the modern battlefield comprises a diverse range of actors, including militias such as the Wagner Group and other private armies. He noted the involvement of terrorist organizations like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hamas, as well as the increasing role of citizen soldiers, a concept widely adopted by Ukraine. He also emphasized the growing presence of technology providers who significantly influence the conduct of warfare today.
The Army chief further highlighted that in the case of land forces, particularly the Army, the key objective remains the eviction and occupation of territory, which is central to achieving strategic goals.
Referring to the Alaska conference between two world leaders, General Dwivedi said, “When you go back to the Alaska conference, they just discussed how much land to exchange hands. India has the two and a half front threat which is well known. Land will remain the currency of victory.”