New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday lauded the country’s armed forces for showcasing exceptional jointness and strategic foresight during Operation Sindoor, which led to the dismantling of terror infrastructure across the Line of Control (LoC).
In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist bases in Pakistan-controlled territories. The strikes sparked four days of intense clashes, which ended on May 10 following an understanding to halt military actions.
Addressing the faculty and course members of the 65th National Defence College (NDC) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Murmu said the rapidly changing geopolitical environment demands dynamic and adaptive responses.
She noted that India is working to transform its armed forces into a technologically advanced, combat-ready force capable of multi-domain, integrated operations.
“Our armed forces demonstrated the strength of jointness and strategic foresight during Operation Sindoor. The calibrated, tri-service response achieved remarkable synergy,” the president said. “This synergy powered the successful campaign to dismantle terror networks across the LoC and deep inside hostile territories.”
Murmu praised the leadership of the armed forces and highlighted that the drive towards greater jointness began with the creation of the Department of Military Affairs, headed by the Chief of Defence Staff. She welcomed ongoing efforts to establish Integrated Theatre Commands and Integrated Battle Groups.
Emphasising India’s civilisational ethos, the president said the country’s national interests are guided by universal values, rooted in the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family).
“Universal brotherhood and peace are central to our belief system,” she said. “At the same time, India remains committed to being battle-ready to confront forces that threaten humanity and the nation.”
Citing lessons from the Mahabharata, Murmu said the epic embodies India’s holistic approach to war and peace — where peace is pursued tirelessly, but war is faced with courage when inevitable. “Krishna’s counsel to Arjuna to fight bravely after all efforts for peace had failed reflects this timeless philosophy,” she added.
The president also drew a symbolic connection between the Gandhi Smriti and the National Defence College, located opposite each other in New Delhi. “It is as if nature placed these two institutions side by side to remind us of the balance between peace and preparedness that defines India’s value system,” she said.
