Operation Sandalwood conveyed to the world India's commitment against terrorism: Rajnath

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that Operation Sandur has given a clear message to the world that India is no longer limited to issuing mere diplomatic statements after terrorist attacks on its soil, but is now determined to take decisive action.

Rajnath Singh, while addressing a national security conference here on Thursday, said that the government has taken a clear stance that no act of terrorism will be tolerated under any circumstances. He termed the surgical strike, air strikes, and Operation Sandur as a symbol of the government's firm commitment to fighting terrorism.

He said, "Terrorism arises from a warped and mentally disturbed mindset. It is a blot on humanity. The fight against terrorism is not just a matter of national security, but fundamentally a war to protect human values. It is a struggle against a barbaric ideology that is directly opposed to every human value. We have presented this Indian perspective clearly, both within and outside the country."

The Defense Minister said that as long as terrorism exists, it will continue to challenge collective peace, development, and prosperity. He said, "Attempts are made to justify terrorism by giving it a religious color or linking it to violent ideologies like Naxalism. This is extremely dangerous and provides a shield to terrorists, allowing them to slowly move towards their goal. Terrorism is not just an anti-national act, it has many aspects - operational, ideological, and political. It can only be dealt with when we work on all these aspects."

Regarding Pakistan's continued support for terrorism, Rajnath Singh said, "India and Pakistan gained independence at the same time. However, today, India is known globally for information technology (IT), while Pakistan is considered a hub of 'international terrorism', a different kind of IT."

The Defense Minister termed Operation Sandur as the best example of the unity and coordination of the Indian armed forces. He said that the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force worked together and under a coordinated plan, making it clear that India's military power no longer operates in separate parts, but has emerged as a unified, integrated, and global power.

Mr. Singh said that India conducted Operation Sandur on its own terms and at a time of its choosing, and stopped it completely on its own terms. He said, "During this campaign, we targeted only those who had attacked us with extreme precision. We did not stop the campaign because our capabilities had diminished or were exhausted. We stopped it completely on our own terms. We were fully prepared to continue the struggle for a long time. We have the necessary additional capability and the internal strength to quickly enhance our capabilities in times of crisis."

The Defense Minister emphasized that India's military-industrial complex has consistently proven that it is not only ready to meet the needs of peacetime but is also capable of meeting the rapid supply and demand of war. He said that during this period, India achieved its objectives without succumbing to the threat or pressure of a nuclear attack. He said, "This is a new global system, this is a new India of the new global era. This is an India that makes no distinction between terrorists and those who support them. This is the clear policy of our Prime Minister, who has transformed India in the changing global landscape."

The Defense Minister, while terming Operation Sandur as a symbol of resilience, said that although the campaign was completed within 72 hours, the preparation beforehand was comprehensive and long. He stated that India's additional capability, the ability to quickly mobilize resources, strategic reserves, and the proven credibility of locally produced weapons have become essential components of the resilience policy.

Mr. Singh said that as a result of Operation Sandur, there is a significant change in the global perception and a positive attitude towards the credibility of local weapons and defense products. He said, "Many countries have shown deep interest in buying weapons and defense equipment from India. The numbers themselves testify to this. In the financial year 2025-26, defense exports reached a record level of Rs 38,424 crore, which is a significant increase of 62.66% compared to the previous financial year. We are determined to take these standards further."

During his recent visit to Germany, the Defense Minister said that major European companies are eager to collaborate with India's private defense industry and public sector undertakings, which is a testament to India's growing credibility. He said that India's strong position in the world is not only due to its military power but also its ability to establish resilience capability.

Pointing to the rapid changes in the nature of resilience, Mr. Singh said that the cyber sector, space warfare, and information technology have become its key components, and artificial intelligence (AI) is at the center of this change. He said, "The extensive and effective use of AI has been made from the modern missile system like BrahMos used during Operation Sandur to various surveillance platforms. This has increased our accuracy and strike capability. While information about major operations often becomes public, countless small campaigns and operations are proactively neutralizing threats before they arise. AI is widely used in all such cases."

Emphasizing the practical application of AI, the Defense Minister said that it is crucial in detecting terrorists and providing a decisive response. He said, "AI also means 'Augmented Infantry'. It is significantly enhancing the capabilities of our soldiers. Considering the requirements of modern warfare, we are rapidly moving towards transforming our army into a technology-based, integrated war machine. For this purpose, the army has established agile and self-sufficient war units like the 'Rudra' brigade, 'Bhairav' battalion, 'Shakti Ban' artillery regiment, and 'Dwiyaster' batteries, which have the capability to provide a swift and powerful response to modern hybrid threats."

However, Mr. Singh also stressed that AI cannot be viewed solely from a positive perspective, as deepfakes, cyber warfare, and autonomous weapon systems are creating new and serious threats.

Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, DRDO Secretary Dr. Samir V Kamat, and Chief of Integrated Defense Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dikshit were also present at the program.