Op Sindoor Proved India’s Decisive Military Strength: Rajnath Singh

• Rajnath Singh says Operation Sindoor proved India’s capability to respond decisively.
• Reiterates any dialogue with Pakistan will focus only on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
• Highlights India’s defence self-reliance and indigenous military capabilities.
• Pays tribute to Kargil heroes, calls Viksit Bharat a vision of strength and national unity.

GG News Bureau
Dras, 26th July: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the success of Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s capability to respond to every Pakistani misadventure with a force beyond its imagination, asserting that any future dialogue with Pakistan would focus only on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Addressing the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations in Dras, Singh said India no longer distinguishes between terrorists and the governments that shelter them. He alleged that Pakistan has made terrorism part of its state policy and warned that every attempt to challenge India’s sovereignty would invite a decisive response.

“There will be no talks with Pakistan. If talks are held, they will be only on PoK,” the Defence Minister said, describing the territory as an integral part of India under illegal occupation.

Contrasting the trajectories of the two countries, Singh said India is advancing in innovation, semiconductor manufacturing, start-ups, space missions and digital technologies, while Pakistan continues to promote infiltration, terrorism and radicalisation.

The Defence Minister said the government has given the armed forces full operational freedom to deal with security threats and expressed confidence that India’s borders remain secure under the vigilance of its soldiers.

Paying homage to the martyrs of the 1999 Kargil War, including Captain Vikram Batra and Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, Singh described Kargil Vijay Diwas as a reminder of sacrifice, service and national duty. He said the Kargil War Memorial symbolises India’s unity, with soldiers from every region laying down their lives for the nation.

Emphasising the importance of national preparedness, Singh said every citizen should embrace the spirit of “Nation First” and remain mentally, morally and physically ready to contribute to national security whenever required.

He said the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 extends beyond economic growth and represents India’s commitment to strategic strength, cultural pride and social harmony.

Highlighting progress in defence manufacturing, Singh said India has reduced its dependence on imports and now manufactures nearly 65 per cent of its defence equipment domestically. He cited indigenous platforms such as INS Vikrant, Tejas, Prachand, Dhruv, Arjun, Pinaka, Astra and Akash-Teer, adding that India will continue developing next-generation fighter aircraft, submarines, missiles and advanced defence systems under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Earlier, the Defence Minister laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial, inaugurated a Virtual Walkthrough Portal showcasing the history of the Kargil War, and flagged in the Shaurya Vijay Yatra motorcycle rally. Senior military officers, war veterans, gallantry awardees, Veer Naris and families of martyrs attended the commemorative ceremony.