Hyderabad: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh today asserted that India’s policy of “hard power” is a necessary response when peaceful negotiations fail to resolve issues of cross-border terrorism. Speaking at the Hyderabad Liberation Day event, he cited military actions such as “Operation Sindoor,” the 2016 Surgical Strike, and the 2019 Balakot Air Strike as proof that India’s patience is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The Defense Minister stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, “New India” believes in dialogue but is also prepared to give a befitting reply to those who “fail to understand the language of peace and goodwill.”
Referring to the recent “Operation Sindoor,” which was launched in the aftermath of a terror attack in Pahalgam, Shri Rajnath Singh drew a distinction between the actions of terrorists and the Indian Armed Forces. He said while terrorists killed innocent people based on their dharma, the Armed Forces struck down terrorists and their hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir based on their karma. He reiterated that Operation Sindoor is currently on hold but will resume in full force if another terrorist activity is orchestrated from across the border.
Rajnath Singh also highlighted India’s firm stance in rejecting third-party intervention over the ceasefire during the operation, emphasizing that no other country can interfere in India’s internal matters.
In his speech, the Raksha Mantri also paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as the ‘Iron Man’ who was instrumental in uniting North and South India. He drew a parallel between Sardar Patel’s legacy and PM Modi’s work, noting that both leaders have striven to strengthen India culturally, socially, spiritually, and economically.
He credited PM Modi with transforming the nation and expressed confidence that India is on its way to becoming the world’s third-largest economy. “Today, India does not take dictation from anyone; it writes its own script,” he said.
Shri Rajnath Singh also paid tribute to the participants of “Operation Polo,” calling it a “glorious chapter” that shattered the conspiracy of the Razakars and successfully merged Hyderabad with the Indian Union in 1948. He linked this historical event to India’s recent military actions, stating that just as the Razakars failed, “Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and its agents have failed today.”
The event was attended by other dignitaries, including Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister for Coal & Mines Shri G Kishan Reddy, and Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar.
