Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that India halted Operation Sindoor “voluntarily” and on its “own terms,” asserting that the country was ready for a long war against Pakistan. He also slammed Pakistan calling it the “epicentre of International Terrorism”, further adding that India did not fall for the “bluff” of a nuclear attack.Addressing the National Security Summit 2.0, he said, “During Operation Sindoor, we precisely targeted those who had attacked us. And I want to clarify here again that we didn’t stop this operation because our capabilities had diminished. We stopped it voluntarily, on our own terms, and if necessary, we were fully prepared for a long war.”“And we also had surge capacity, the ability to expand our capabilities in times of sudden need. Not only did we have it, but we still have it, and it’s even more robust than before. Therefore, I don’t think there’s any need to say anything more,” he said, adding that India continues to maintain strong surge capacity.Rajnath underscored India’s evolving stance on terrorism, stating, “India is telling the world that there will be no distinction between terrorism and its sponsors.”He also hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s leadership and lauuded the government’s “zero tolerance” approach further noting that India did not fall for the “bluff” of a nuclear attack.“Our military-industrial complex has also proven time and again that it’s prepared not only for peacetime needs but also for rapid wartime supplies. Although we were even threatened with a nuclear attack during that time, we didn’t fall for that bluff.”“We dismissed those threats, paid no heed, and did what was necessary, what was necessary in the national interest. And this is the new world order, the new India of the new world. India is telling the world that there will be no distinction between terrorism and its sponsors,” he added.Recalling the operation, Singh described it as a milestone in India’s strategic posture stating that, “it’s been almost a year since Operation Sindoor, and our Operation Sindoor is also a symbol of this new world order.”“It was a turning point that sent a message to the entire world that India is no longer the one that adheres to the old way of thinking, where terrorist attacks occur on our soil, we merely issue diplomatic statements,” he added.
Pakistan is epicentre of International Terrorism
The defence minister slammed Pakistan and outlined three dimensions of terrorism: operational, ideological, and political and stressed the need to address all of them.“Terrorism is not just an anti-national act, it has multi-dimensions, and terrorism can only be dealt with if we tackle it in all its three dimensions–operational, ideological, and political. The true IP address of terrorism is its ideological and political roots, where it thrives,” he said.Taking a sharp dig at Pakistan, Rajnath said today, India is known worldwide for its Information Technology, while Pakistan is considered the epicentre of other IT, i.e., International Terrorism.“We have always seen that countries like Pakistan have consistently supported terrorism, and this is why both India and Pakistan gained independence at the same time, but today, India is known worldwide for its Information Technology, while Pakistan is considered the epicentre of other IT, i.e., International Terrorism,” the defence minister said.“Our military industrial complex has proven that it is not only for the period of peace, but it is also prepared for rapid supply during wartime. We were even threatened with a nuclear attack, but we did not fall for that bluff,” he noted.“The ideological nourishment and political patronage of terrorism is the nectar in Ravana’s navel… I believe it is essential to dry up this navel that gives life to terrorism,” he added.Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Indian armed forces carried out precision strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, destroying total 9 terror infrastructure.Pakistan responded with drone attacks and shelling, triggering a four-day military confrontation. India retaliated with strikes targeting radar installations in Lahore and near Gujranwala.The conflict de-escalated after Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations called his Indian counterpart and a ceasefire was agreed on May 10.
