Stronger Response to Pakistan Terror Acts: Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserts that any terror act originating from Pakistan will trigger a stronger response from India.
In a stern warning directed at cross-border terrorism, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted on Thursday that any further terrorist acts originating from Pakistan would trigger an even stronger response from the nation. Speaking at the Times Network Defence Conclave in New Delhi, the Defence Minister made it clear that while India values peace, its commitment to coexistence should never be misconstrued as a sign of weakness.
A Shift from Diplomacy to Proactive Action
Singh highlighted a significant evolution in India's strategic approach toward terrorism. He noted that past military actions were not merely operations but symbols of a decisive shift in national policy.
- Operation Sindoor
- Balakot Airstrikes
- Surgical Strikes
“These 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 stated.
The Defence Minister further noted that since 2014, the effectiveness of terrorist groups has been significantly diminished. He pointed out that the ''shelf life' of most terrorists has dropped to less than a year, with security forces successfully neutralizing them within twelve months of them taking up arms against India.
The Evolving Face of Modern Warfare
Discussing the complexities of the modern security landscape, Singh warned of the rise of hybrid, high-tech, and hyper-warfare. He identified a new phenomenon he termed the '5D Security Threat':
- Disinformation
- Destabilisation
- Disruption
- Deception
- Destruction
He warned that terrorism is moving beyond organized groups into more unpredictable territory, such as 'lone-wolf' attacks and 'white-collar terrorism.' This evolution makes it increasingly difficult for intelligence and security agencies to identify radicalized individuals before they can strike.
To illustrate the importance of individual vigilance, Singh cited a recent incident involving a co-pilot who allegedly attempted to crash a passenger aircraft, and the bravery of Captain Smit Machhar, who risked his life to prevent a major terror attack. “A single alert and courageous individual could help foil an entire terrorist plot,” Singh remarked, calling for active participation from responsible citizens.
The Rise of 'Smart Power' and Defence Production
Looking toward the future of national defense, Singh advocated for a transition toward 'Smart Power'. This involves integrating 'hard power' with ''soft power' through:
- Precision-guided weapons and loitering munitions.
- Combining human intelligence with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- Merging advanced systems with low-cost, agile, and adaptable technologies.
The Defence Minister also highlighted the massive growth in India's domestic defence sector. Driven by government reforms and streamlined export procedures like the Defence EXIM Portal, defence production has surged from ₹40,000 crore in 2014 to a record ₹1.78 lakh crore. Similarly, exports have skyrocketed from ₹686 crore in 2013-14 to an all-time high of ₹39,000 crore, with Indian products now reaching nearly 100 countries.
Singh expressed confidence that India is on track to meet ambitious targets, aiming for ₹2 lakh crore in production this year and ₹3 lakh crore by 2029, with exports expected to reach ₹50,000 crore by 2029.