Reiterating India’s stand on cross-border terrorism, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday asserted that any further terrorist acts originating from Pakistan would invite an even stronger response. He emphasised that while India’s cultural ethos favoured dialogue, coexistence and peaceful resolution of disputes, its commitment to peace should not be mistaken for weakness.
“Operation Sindoor, Balakot Airstrikes and Surgical Strikes weren’t just military operations; they symbolised a decisive shift in the nation’s approach, moving from diplomatic condemnation to proactive action aimed at rooting out terrorism by reaching its very source,” Singh said at the Times Network Defence Conclave in New Delhi.
He added that since 2014, the ‘shelf life’ of most terrorists had fallen to less than a year, with security forces neutralising them within a year of their taking up arms against India.
Defence Minister termed strength and capability as essential to maintaining peace, and underlined that India hopes for peace, but remains prepared for war that sometimes becomes necessary to protect the nation.
“Our commitment to peace remains steadfast, yet we are fully prepared to confront any challenge. Our goal is to build an India that, while advocating for peace, remains vigilant when it comes to security and is fully capable of safeguarding its sovereignty, integrity, and national interests,” he said.
On the evolving security landscape, Singh underscored the need for heightened vigilance and preparedness in an era of hybrid, high-tech and hyper warfare. He highlighted the growing complexity of security threats in the digital age, identifying what he described as the ‘5D Security Threat ’-Disinformation, Destabilisation, Disruption, Deception and Destruction. He pointed out that terrorism was evolving beyond organised groups, and emerging threats include ‘lone-wolf’ attacks and ‘white-collar terrorism’, which make it increasingly difficult for security agencies to identify radicalised individuals and prevent potential attacks.
The Defence Minister referred to the recent incident involving a co-pilot who allegedly attempted to crash a passenger aircraft and Captain Smit Machhar who risked his life to avert a major terror attack.
“The incident underscored the threat posed by lone-wolf attackers while demonstrating how the courage and commitment of an individual could thwart the designs of those driven by hatred. A single alert and courageous individual could help foil an entire terrorist plot. The fight against terrorism requires not only the capabilities of security agencies but also the active participation of aware and responsible citizens,” he said.
On defence preparedness, Singh underscored the need to combine ‘hard power’ with ‘soft power’ and called for a shift towards ‘smart power’.
“Modern defence strategies must integrate precision-guided weapons and loitering munitions with cost-effective weaponry, human intelligence with artificial intelligence, and advanced systems with low-cost, agile and adaptable technologies to address evolving security challenges,” he said.
On the growth witnessed by the defence sector due to the Government’s efforts, Singh stated that defence production has risen to a record over ₹1.78 lakh crore from ₹40,000 crore in 2014, with defence exports touching an all-time high of ₹39,000 crore from ₹686 crore in 2013-14, and India defence products reaching nearly 100 countries. He exuded confidence that the nation would achieve defence production targets of ₹2 lakh crore this year and ₹3 lakh crore by 2029, and export defence equipment worth ₹50,000 crore by 2029, the Ministry said in its statement.
The Defence Minister attributed the growth to reforms that simplified export procedures, including the introduction of the Defence EXIM Portal, online approvals, the Open General Export License, streamlined quality certification and the ‘Green Channel’ policy. These measures, he said, enhanced India’s global credibility and prepared domestic industries to compete in international markets.
"The Ministry of Defence has approved procurement of goods and services worth over ₹2,400 crore from start-ups and MSMEs and sanctioned projects exceeding ₹1,500 crore for new technology development. As of March 2026, iDEX had engaged 676 start-ups and innovators and facilitated the signing of 551 contracts. From a few dozen defence startups in 2018, the ecosystem had grown to more than 2,000, with young enterprises working across drones, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, cybersecurity, robotics and other advanced fields,” he added.
Citing progress in ammunition manufacturing, he said 159 of the 175 ammunition variants used by the Defence Forces were now indigenously produced, representing more than 90 per cent self-reliance in ammunition variants. Referring to India’s exports of bulletproof jackets to over 100 countries, he noted that the country was the fourth in the world to establish a national standard for bulletproof jackets aligned with international norms. He also spoke about the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme and the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff post, terming them significant measures undertaken to strengthen the defence framework.