President of India, Droupadi Murmu, termed Operation Sindoor’s success as a "defining moment" in the country's counter-terror and deterrence strategy. Speaking on Thursday during her inaugural session of the third edition of Chanakya Defence Dialogue, the President then said that guided by India's civilisational ethos of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', the country has shown that strategic autonomy can coexist with global responsibility.
The Defence Dialogue is a key conclave being hosted by the Indian Army. Several top military officials, including COAS/Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, were present on the dais. COAS also addressed the gathering.
"Our diplomacy, our economy, and our armed forces together project an India that seeks peace, but is prepared to protect its borders and its citizens with strength and conviction. During every security challenge, whether conventional, counter-insurgency, or humanitarian, our forces have displayed remarkable adaptability and resolve," the President said.
Recalling Op Sindoor as India's decisive military action in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam attack, she added, "The recent success of Operation Sindoor stands as a defining moment in our counter-terror and deterrence strategy. The world took note not only of India's military capability but of India's moral clarity to act firmly, yet responsibly in the pursuit of peace.”
Murmu then added, "I am happy to know that beyond its operational role, the Indian defence forces remain a pillar of national development. Apart from strengthening our frontiers, they have also helped in border area development through infrastructure, connectivity, tourism, and education. The international system is being rewritten by contesting power centres, technological disruptions, and shifting alliances. New domains of competition — cyber, space, information, and cognitive warfare are blurring the lines between peace and conflict.”
"It is reforming structures, re-orienting doctrines, and redefining capabilities to be future-ready and mission-capable across all domains. I am confident that these defence reforms will help in making India self-reliant, Murmu asserted while emphasising the Army's endeavour to transform itself through quantifiable deliverables under its 'Decade of Transformation' vision."
"It is instilling patriotism in youth through education, NCC expansion, and sports. The expansion of the contribution of young women officers and soldiers, both in role and character, would promote the spirit of inclusion. It will also inspire more young women to join the Indian Army and take up other professions," Murmu added.
The President is hopeful that the discussion and outcome of this dialogue will provide valuable insights to policymakers for shaping the future contours of the national policy.
"I am confident that our armed forces will continue to strive for excellence and move ahead with resolve and determination to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047," said the President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
India launched the military operation early on May 7, destroying terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK). Post this, Pakistan also launched offensives against India, and all subsequent counter-offensives by New Delhi were further carried out under Op Sindoor. The military conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours halted after they reached an understanding on the evening of May 10.
Follow us
