New Delhi: Terrorism emanates from a “distorted and perverse” mindset, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday, describing the battle against it as a fundamental fight to safeguard core values of humanity rather than merely a national security concern.
Highlighting the shift in India’s approach to fight terrorism, Singh said that Operation Sindoor sent an “unequivocal” global message that India is no longer bound by the “old mindset” of issuing only diplomatic statements after terror attacks.
The remarks were seen as an indirect criticism of the previous UPA government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has moved beyond mere intent and rhetoric by demonstrating its unwavering commitment through “decisive action”, he said in an address at an event, according to the defence ministry.
On Pakistan’s “continuous support to terrorism”, Singh said: “Both India and Pakistan attained independence at the same time. However, today India is recognised globally for IT that is ‘Information Technology’, while Pakistan is regarded as the epicenter of a different IT that is ‘International Terrorism’.”
He described Operation Sindoor as a “shining example” of jointness and synergy of the Indian defence forces.
The Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force acted in concert and under a unified plan, conclusively demonstrating that India’s military might no longer operate in silos; instead, it has emerged as a joint, integrated, and global power, the ministry quoted him as saying.
The defence minister asserted that the Modi government has maintained a firm stance that any act of terrorism, under any circumstances, will not be tolerated.
“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,” he said.
“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,” he said.
Singh’s comments came a day after the Congress alleged that he gave a “shameful clean chit” to Pakistan as it took strong exception to the defence minister’s remarks at a multilateral conclave in Bishkek.
The Congress particularly objected to the defence minister’s comments in Bishkek on Tuesday that: “We must not forget that terrorism has no nationality and no theology. No grievance, real or supposed, can become an excuse for terrorism and humanitarian loss.”
“Is Pakistan not the epicentre of terrorism…? Are there no terrorist camps in Pakistan with India as their target?” Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh asked.
In his remarks on Thursday, Singh said 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,” he said.
“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 added.
The defence minister added 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,” he said.
“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 noted 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 minister stated that although it 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.
Singh added that a “remarkable shift” in global perception and a positive attitude towards the reliability of India’s indigenous weapons and defence products are being witnessed, as a direct result of Operation Sindoor.
“Numerous nations have expressed keen interest in procuring weapons and defence equipment from India. The figures say it all. In the Financial Year 2025-26, defence exports reached a record high of Rs 38,424 crore, a staggering surge of 62.66 per cent compared to the previous fiscal year,” he said.
“We remain steadfastly committed to further advancing our efforts to surpass these benchmarks,” he asserted.
