Defence minister Rajnath Singh (File photo/PTI)
NEW DELHI: Sending a strong message to Pakistan, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday asserted that India’s “zero tolerance against terrorism” is not merely a statement but a “Line of Action.””We have clearly articulated our perspective on terrorism before the entire world… zero tolerance against terrorism is not merely a statement for us, but a Line of Action. We will strike against terrorism not just at the doorstep but by entering the house. The whole world saw this during Operation Sindoor,” PTI quoted Singh as saying at an event in the capital.Operation Sindoor was India’s retaliatory military action in May 2025 following the killing of 26 civilians by Pakistan-backed terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam in April that year.Singh, who was speaking at an event on indigenous defence production, described Operation Sindoor as a “testament in trust to India’s defence industries.” “Operation Sindoor was, in itself, a splendid example of technological warfare. In this operation, along with advanced missile systems like Akashteer, the Akash missile system and BrahMos, numerous latest equipment were also utilised,” the defence minister said. Taking a swipe at previous governments, Singh remarked that they were “doubtful” about India’s potential and capabilities, unlike the Modi government, which he stated, has greater faith in the country’s defence capabilities.”Our vision for empowering India in the defence sector is the one that trusts India’s capabilities. But the perspective of previous governments was, somehow, doubtful about India’s potential and capability. They perhaps did not have as much faith in India’s capabilities as our government does,” the minister said.”If a country depends on other countries for weapons, ammunition, navigation systems, missiles, radars and drones, then its strategic and military autonomy also becomes limited. We are working with the full intention of completely changing this,” he added.Singh also highlighted that Made-in-India defence products are being exported to nearly 100 countries, while the country’s defence production has reached a record annual level of nearly Rs 1.78 lakh crore.”Today, India is not just manufacturing defence equipment for itself. India is becoming a credible security partner for the world. From the Indian Ocean to the Indo-Pacific, India’s role is continuously strengthening. We are well-positioned to hit a Rs 3 lakh crore defence production milestone by 2029,” he remarked.He pointed out that India’s defence exports, which stood at just Rs 686 crore in 2013-14, have surged to over Rs 38,000 crore in 2025-26.
