Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday asserted that the success of Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s capability to respond decisively to any provocation by Pakistan, while reiterating that there would be no dialogue with Islamabad except on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which he described as an integral part of India.
Addressing the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, the Defence Minister said India’s armed forces had sent a strong message through Operation Sindoor by responding firmly to terrorism and its sponsors.
“The success of Operation Sindoor is proof that India possesses the capability to respond to Pakistan’s every misadventure with a severity far beyond its imagination,” Singh said. He added that “there would be no talks with Pakistan, and any dialogue would focus solely on PoK,” describing the region as an integral part of India that is under illegal occupation by Pakistan.
The Defence Minister said every attempt to undermine India’s sovereignty would receive the same resolute response that the armed forces displayed during Operation Sindoor.
Accusing Pakistan of institutionalising terrorism, Singh said the distinction between the country’s military and terrorist groups had effectively disappeared.
“Pakistan’s military not only shelters terrorist organisations but also works with them. That is why, during Operation Sindoor, we made it clear that India no longer views terrorists and the governments that nurture them as separate entities,” he said.
Drawing a contrast between the developmental paths of the two neighbouring countries since the 1999 Kargil War, Singh said India had focused on innovation and economic progress while Pakistan continued to promote terrorism and infiltration.
“While India is exploring new avenues of innovation, Pakistan is seeking new routes for infiltration. India is engaged in chip design, whereas Pakistan is busy designing terror. India is building a start-up ecosystem, while Pakistan is constructing a terror ecosystem. India is manufacturing semiconductors; Pakistan is preparing suicide bombers. India is recognised for space missions, while Pakistan is running proxy missions. India is sending satellites into space, whereas Pakistan focuses on sending terrorists across the border. India is providing software to the world, while Pakistan is exporting sleeper cells. India is establishing data centers; Pakistan is setting up radicalisation centers. India is connecting the world through UPI, while Pakistan is linking terrorism with hawala networks. In short, our paths diverge; should Pakistan attempt to obstruct our path to prosperity with its nefarious designs, our defence forces stand ready to deliver a befitting response,” he said.
Singh also asserted that the Centre had given the armed forces a free hand to deal with security threats and expressed confidence in the country’s military preparedness.
Paying tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1999 Kargil War, the Defence Minister remembered Param Vir Chakra awardees Captain Vikram Batra and Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, saying their courage continued to inspire generations.
He described Kargil Vijay Diwas as a reminder of the values of sacrifice and national service.
“This day teaches us that the spirit of ‘sacrifice’ and ‘service’ forms the backbone of any nation,” Singh said.
Highlighting the significance of the Kargil War Memorial, he said the memorial represented the unity of India, with soldiers from every part of the country making the supreme sacrifice.
“This wall of unity, despite diversities, stands tall against those who wish to harm us,” he said.
Referring to ongoing global conflicts, including those in West Asia and between Russia and Ukraine, Singh said national security required not only a capable military but also responsible and prepared citizens. Stressing the importance of the “Nation First” spirit, he said every Indian should possess a soldier-like sense of duty.
“I am not suggesting that every citizen must become a soldier, but should the nation ever face a situation requiring the direct or indirect support of its people, every Indian must be mentally, morally and physically prepared to step forward in defence of the country. Just as every soldier is first and foremost an Indian, the courage, discipline and patriotism of a soldier must always remain alive within every Indian,” he said.
The Defence Minister said the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 extended beyond economic development and encompassed strategic strength, cultural pride and social harmony. He said the goal could be achieved only by adopting the same dedication and sense of duty displayed by the heroes of the Kargil War.
Singh also highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen border infrastructure and modernise the armed forces under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said India had made significant progress towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
Invoking Captain Vikram Batra’s iconic slogan, “Yeh Dil Maange More,” Singh said India was determined to accelerate indigenous defence production.
“When our government assumed office, India used to import 65 to 70 percent of defence equipment. Today, we’re manufacturing 65 percent of our defence equipment on Indian soil. Today, our soldiers possess the indigenously developed air defence control system ‘Akash-Teer’. We have developed the next-generation Akash missile. India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier ‘INS Vikrant’, Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’, Light Combat Helicopter ‘Prachand’, Advanced Light Helicopter ‘Dhruv’, Main Battle Tank ‘Arjun’, ‘Pinaka’ multi-barrel rocket launcher, ‘Astra’ air-to-air missile, and modern drones & counter-drone systems are also strengthening the combat readiness of the defence forces. But, ‘Yeh Dil Maange More’. We will continue working to manufacture even more modern weapons, next-generation fighter aircraft, submarines, and missiles right in India,” he said.
Earlier, Singh laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial and observed a moment of silence in memory of the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during Operation Vijay in 1999. He also inaugurated a Virtual Walkthrough Portal aimed at providing wider public access to the history and legacy of the Kargil War, visited the Hut of Remembrance and Veer Bhoomi, interacted with veterans, gallantry awardees, Veer Naris and families of fallen soldiers, and flagged in the Shaurya Vijay Yatra, a motorcycle rally organised as part of the Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations.
The ceremony was attended by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, senior military commanders, Kargil War veterans, gallantry awardees, Veer Naris, families of martyrs and civil dignitaries.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth led the Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, where Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani, the service chiefs and senior defence officials paid homage to the fallen heroes.
