I. Introduction: The Sea as the Next Front The brutal Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians, has left India seething. As public anger mounts and political pressure builds, the question confronting the Indian leadership is not whether to respond—but

India and France have successfully concluded negotiations for the acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets, a deal estimated at approximately €7 billion. The formal agreement is anticipated to be signed in April during the French Defence Minister’s visit to India. This procurement aims to bolster the Indian Navy’s carrier-based aviation