NEW DELHI, Apr 30: Delivering a sharp rebuke over Pakistan’s continued backing of terrorism, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that while both nations gained independence together, India is today globally recognised for “Information Technology”, whereas Pakistan has come to be seen as the epicentre of “International Terrorism”, underscoring a hardened shift in India’s response to cross-border terror.
Addressing a National Security Summit in the national capital, Singh said, “Both, India and Pakistan attained independence at the same time. However, today India is recognised globally for IT i.e., ‘Information Technology’, while Pakistan is regarded as the epicenter of a different IT i.e., ‘International Terrorism'”.
In a sharp articulation of India’s evolving security doctrine, the defence minister asserted that Operation Sindoor marks a decisive shift from the earlier practice of limited diplomatic responses to terror attacks, underscoring the government’s resolve to confront terrorism with firm and calibrated military action.
He said that the operation highlighted India’s tri-service combat capability and was executed and concluded entirely on the nation’s own terms, sending a clear global message of strategic resolve and operational confidence.
“Operation Sindoor conveyed an unequivocal global message that India is no longer bound by the old mindset of merely issuing diplomatic statements when terror attacks are perpetrated on its soil, and that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government has moved beyond mere intent and rhetoric by demonstrating its unwavering commitment through decisive action,” said Singh said in his address.
“Terrorism emanates from a distorted and perverse mindset. It casts a dark stain on humanity. The battle against terrorism is not merely a matter of national security; it is, fundamentally, a battle to safeguard the core values of humanity. It is a fight against a barbaric ideology that stands in direct opposition to every human value. We have articulated this Indian perspective, both within the country and abroad,” said the Minister.
He further added that as long as terrorism exists, it will continue to challenge collective peace, development, and prosperity. “Attempts are made to justify terrorism by giving it a religious colour or linking it to a violent ideology such as Naxalism. This is extremely dangerous and, in a way, provides cover fire to terrorists so they can slowly advance toward their goal. Terrorism is not just an anti-national act; it has multiple dimensions- operational, ideological, and political. It can only be dealt with if we tackle all these dimensions,” he said.
Dubbing Operation Sindoor as a shining example of jointness and synergy of the Indian Defence Forces, he stated that the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force acted in concert and under a unified plan, demonstrating conclusively that India’s military might no longer operates in silos; instead, it has emerged as a joint, integrated, and global power.
He also stated that India executed Operation Sindoor on its own terms and at a time of its own choosing, and halted it strictly on its own terms. “During the course of the operation, we targeted, with absolute precision, only those who had perpetrated the attack against us. We did not halt the operation because our capabilities had been exhausted or diminished. We halted it entirely on our own terms. We were fully prepared to sustain a prolonged conflict. We possess the requisite surge capacity, and the inherent strength to rapidly scale up our capabilities in moments of sudden crisis,” he said.
Singh underlined the fact that India’s military-industrial complex has consistently demonstrated, time and again, that it stands ready to meet not only the requirements of peacetime, but also the demands for rapid supply and logistics during times of war. He asserted that, during that period, India did not fall for the bluff or a threat of a nuclear strike and accomplished the set objectives. “This is the ‘New World Order’; the ‘New India’ of this new global era. This is an India which makes no distinction between terrorism and those who sponsor it. This is the unequivocal policy of our Prime Minister, which has transformed India amidst the shifting global landscape,” he said.
Describing Operation Sindoor as an embodiment of deterrence, the defence minsiter stated that although the operation was concluded within a span of just 72 hours, the preparatory work preceding it was extensive and protracted. He pointed out that India’s surge capacity and its ability to rapidly mobilise resources, strategic stockpiles, and the proven credibility of indigenously-developed weaponry have all become integral components of deterrence posture. (Agencies)
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