New Delhi, Dec 2 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s resolve to respond decisively when provoked, stressing that while the nation advocates peace and goodwill, it will not hesitate to act firmly against those who threaten its security.
Singh was addressing Sardar Sabha in Vadodara, Gujarat, as part of the ‘Unity March’ organised by Mera Yuva (MY) Bharat under Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
“Operation Sindoor is proof that India gives a befitting reply to those who do not understand the language of peace and goodwill,” the Defence Minister said.
Commending the courage and dedication of the armed forces for the successful execution of Operation Sindoor, Singh said the world is today acknowledging the bravery and capabilities of Indian soldiers. He added that the operation sent a clear message that “we’re a peace-loving nation which never provokes any country, but if provoked, does not spare those who try to cast an evil eye”.
Describing Sardar Patel as a key contributor in uniting the nation, the union Minister said the government is following the path shown by him, as a result of which, India, once surrounded by doubts, is today communicating with the world on its own terms.
He stated that, unlike the past, the world now listens to what India has to say on international platforms. “India is marching ahead towards becoming a major economic and strategic power. This is due to the immense contribution of Sardar Patel,” he added.
Stating that before 2014, India was ranked 11th in the world in terms of economic size, Singh said that today, it has reached the fourth position, poised to soon join the top three economies. He said the government has been working with the goal of ‘minimum government, maximum governance’, while carrying forward Sardar Patel’s legacy of an independent nation through political and geographical unity.
“Our government is binding India with a fabric of cultural, social, spiritual, and economic unity. We are moving forward with the vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. We aim to build a Viksit Bharat by 2047,” he said.
The Defence Minister said the government is carrying forward the national security vision of Sardar Patel who had emphasised on defence modernisation and indigenous production of weapons and ammunition.
“Today, due to the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative, we are becoming Aatmanirbhar in defence production, while exporting military equipment to friendly countries. Our defence exports have increased nearly 34-fold in the last 11 years. We aim to achieve defence production worth Rs 3 lakh crore and defence exports worth Rs 50,000 crore by 2029,” he said.
