India will cross any border to protect its citizens, reaffirms the Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh, on Friday, while citing the examples of operations carried out under the NDA government — the 2016 surgical strike, 2019 Balakot airstrike, and the recent Operation Sindoor. Singh, on Friday, was speaking at the 'JITO Connect' organised by Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO) in Hyderabad, Telangana.
Innocent lives were taken in the Pahalgam terror attack by being identified by their religion, but India did not see religion when it conducted surgical strikes against Pakistan, the defence minister added.
"The government only targeted terrorist centres to punish those responsible for the Pahalgam terrorist attack. We never attacked any military or civilian establishment there. If we wanted, we could have done that earlier, but we did not," he said.
"When it comes to India's glory and dignity, we never compromised. Whether it is 2016 surgical strike, 2019 airstrike or 2025 Operation Sindoor, we have proved that we will cross any borders, whenever there is a need, for the cause of India's unity and integrity and for protecting the life of every citizen and the country,” he added.
Then reiterating the government’s commitment to boost the defence exports, Singh underscored that since the NDA government assumed office 11 years ago, India’s exports stood at approximately Rs 600 crore, which have now risen to more than Rs 24,000 crore. By 2029, he projected the figure would surpass Rs 50,000 crore.
Highlighting the country's strides towards self-reliance, Singh said dependence on foreign countries is declining continuously.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan of 'local for global' and 'vocal for local', he said the country is now producing a wide range of products "from toys to tank".
"India is moving fast towards becoming the world's manufacturing hub. The day is not far when India will emerge as factory of the world."
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