Rajnath Singh Hails ‘Operation Sindoor’ as Landmark in Defence Self-Reliance
Pune: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday described Operation Sindoor as the “finest example” of India’s self-reliance in the defence sector, highlighting that most of the equipment used by the armed forces during the operation was indigenously made.
Speaking at the 6th convocation of Symbiosis Skills & Professional University in Pune, Singh said India’s journey toward Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence had not been easy.
“In the beginning, it was difficult because we were trying to transform the entire system. Since Independence, India depended heavily on foreign countries for weapons, and indigenous defence production was almost non-existent,” he said.
The minister added that India has now “broken the barrier” that persisted for decades. “We have given a strong push to domestic weapons manufacturing. It was not easy, as the country had become comfortable—and even dependent—on buying arms from abroad,” he noted.
According to Singh, earlier there was neither the political will nor the legal framework to promote defence manufacturing, and even the youth lacked the inspiration to contribute to self-reliance in this critical sector.
“Despite adverse circumstances, we persevered. We took every possible step to encourage defence manufacturing, and today those efforts are producing visible results,” he said.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, Singh praised the armed forces’ courage and said the mission showcased India’s growing capability to rely on its own defence ecosystem.
India launched Operation Sindoor in May this year following the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which claimed 26 lives.
