After the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government launched a swift and powerful counter offensive Operation Sindoor followed by three tense days that brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war. On May 10, a ceasefire was announced. But how does the Indian public feel about all of this? A new C-Voter survey, presented on India Today, reveals the national mood.

Nation Stands Behind Modi Government’s Response

According to the survey, conducted via telephone interviews, a resounding 68.1% of respondents said they are satisfied with the Modi government’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Only 5.3% expressed dissatisfaction, while 15.3% remained undecided.

Ceasefire: Divided Opinions, But Support Persists

When asked about the ceasefire that followed Operation Sindoor, 63.3% of people said they are still satisfied with the truce. However, the number of those opposing the ceasefire has grown to 10.2%, reflecting unease among some citizens about halting military action. 17.3% of respondents were unsure.

Public Confidence in Indian Military Remains Strong

The survey also highlighted overwhelming faith in India’s military strength. Before the ceasefire, 91.1% of respondents said they had “very high” trust in the Indian Armed Forces. After the ceasefire, that number increased to 92.3%.

• Trust “to some extent” dropped from 6.1% to 3.4%.

• Those expressing no confidence in the military were just 0.7%, down from 1%.

Who Is India’s Biggest Enemy—Pakistan or China?

On the question of who poses a greater threat to India, public opinion has shifted:

• Before the ceasefire:

  • 47.4% viewed China as the top enemy.

  • 27.7% pointed to Pakistan.

  • 12.2% said both.

• After the ceasefire:

  • 51.8% now view China as the biggest threat.

  • Support for Pakistan as the top threat dropped to 19.6%.

  • 20.7% believe both countries are equally dangerous.

Background: The Operation That Changed the Narrative

The C-Voter survey was conducted between May 10 to 12, following the high-stakes Operation Sindoor. After the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government gave the military a free hand to respond. In a powerful overnight operation between April 6 and 7, the Indian Army launched missile strikes on nine terrorist camps inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

This triggered a three-day near-war scenario between India and Pakistan, which ended with a ceasefire declaration on May 10.

Conclusion: Strong Nationalism, Some Doubts About Truce

The survey reveals that a strong majority of Indians support the government's military response, have immense confidence in the armed forces, and increasingly see China as a more significant long-term threat than Pakistan. However, the ceasefire decision has left some citizens divided, with a small but growing segment questioning the wisdom of halting military operations so soon.

The mood in the country is clear, Indians want peace, but not at the cost of national security or a weak stance on terrorism.