‘Any terrorist act from Pakistan will demand a stronger response’: Rajnath Singh | Today’s news
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday reiterated India’s stance on cross-border terrorism, saying any further acts of terrorism emanating from Pakistan would trigger an even stronger response. He emphasized that while India’s cultural ethos favors dialogue, coexistence and peaceful resolution of disputes, its devotion to peace should not be mistaken for weakness.
“Operation Sindoor, Balakot airstrikes and surgical strikes were not just military operations; they symbolized a decisive shift in the nation’s approach from diplomatic condemnation to proactive action aimed at rooting out terrorism by going to its very source,” Singh said at the Times Network Defense Conclave in New Delhi.
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He added that since 2014, the ‘life expectancy’ of most terrorists has reduced to less than a year, with security forces neutralizing them within a year of picking them up against India.
Describing strength and capabilities as essential for maintaining peace, the defense minister emphasized that India hopes for peace but remains prepared for war, which sometimes becomes necessary to protect the nation.
“Our commitment to peace remains steadfast, yet we are fully prepared to face any challenge. Our aim is to build an India that advocates peace but remains vigilant on security and is fully capable of protecting its sovereignty, integrity and national interests,” he said.
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Regarding the evolving security environment, Singh emphasized the need for increased vigilance and preparedness in the era of hybrid, high-tech and hyper warfare. He highlighted the increasing complexity of security threats in the digital age, identifying what he described as the “5D security threat” – disinformation, destabilization, disruption, deception and destruction. He pointed out that terrorism is evolving outside of organized groups, and emerging threats include “lone wolf” attacks and “white collar terrorism”, making it increasingly difficult for security agencies to identify radicalized individuals and prevent potential attacks.
The Defense Minister referred to the recent incident involving the co-pilot who allegedly tried to crash a passenger plane and Captain Smit Machhar risking his life to avert a major terrorist attack.
“This incident has underlined the threat posed by lone wolf attackers and at the same time has shown how the courage and commitment of an individual can thwart the plans of those driven by hatred. A single alert and courageous individual could help foil an entire terrorist plot. Fighting terrorism requires not only the capabilities of security agencies but also the active participation of conscious and responsible citizens,” he said.
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On defense preparedness, Singh emphasized the need to combine “hard power” with “soft power” and called for a move towards “smart power”.
“Modern defense strategies must integrate precision-guided weapons and loitering munitions with cost-effective weapons, human intelligence with artificial intelligence and advanced systems with low-cost, agile and adaptable technologies to meet evolving security challenges,” he said.
On the growth witnessed by the defense sector due to the government’s efforts, Singh said defense production has risen to a record level. ₹1.78 million crowns ₹40,000 crore in 2014, with defense exports reaching an all-time high ₹39,000 million crowns ₹686 crore in 2013-14 and Indian defense products reached nearly 100 countries. He exuded confidence that the nation would achieve its defense production goals ₹2 crore crore this year and ₹3 lakh crore by 2029 and exports of defense equipment worth ₹50,000 crore by 2029, the ministry said in a statement.
The defense minister attributed the growth to reforms that simplified export procedures, including the introduction of the Defense EXIM Portal, online approval, Open General Export Licence, simplified quality certification and the “Green Channel” policy. These measures, he said, have strengthened India’s global credibility and prepared the domestic industry to compete in international markets.
“The Ministry of Defense approved the procurement of goods and services worth over ₹2,400 crore from start-ups and SMEs and approved projects in excess ₹1,500 crore to develop new technologies. As of March 2026, iDEX has engaged 676 start-ups and innovators and enabled the signing of 551 contracts. From a few dozen defense startups in 2018, the ecosystem has grown to more than 2,000, with young businesses working across drones, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, robotics and other advanced fields,” he added.
Citing progress in ammunition production, he said that 159 of the 175 ammunition variants used by the defense forces were now home-made, representing more than 90 percent self-sufficiency in ammunition variants. Referring to India’s export of bulletproof vests to more than 100 countries, he noted that the country is the fourth in the world to introduce a national standard for bulletproof vests in line with international norms. He also spoke about the implementation of the One Rank One Pension system and the creation of the post of Chief of Defense Staff, which he described as significant measures taken to strengthen the defense framework.
