New Delhi, April 30
“Operation Sindoor conveyed an unequivocal global message that India is no longer bound by the old mindset of merely issuing diplomatic statements when terror attacks are perpetrated on its soil, and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government has moved beyond mere intent and rhetoric by demonstrating its unwavering commitment through decisive action,” said Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as he addressed a National Security Summit in New Delhi today. He asserted that the Government has maintained a firm stance that any act of terrorism, under any circumstances, will not be tolerated. He described the surgical strikes, air strikes, and Operation Sindoor as a manifestation of the Government’s resolute stance against the menace.
“Terrorism emanates from a distorted and perverse mindset. It casts a dark stain on humanity. The battle against terrorism is not merely a matter of national security; it is, fundamentally, a battle to safeguard the core values of humanity. It is a fight against a barbaric ideology that stands in direct opposition to every human value. We have articulated this Indian perspective, both within the country and abroad,” said Singh.
Singh added that as long as terrorism exists, it will continue to challenge collective peace, development, and prosperity. “Attempts are made to justify terrorism by giving it a religious colour or linking it to a violent ideology such as Naxalism. This is extremely dangerous and, in a way, provides cover fire to terrorists so they can slowly advance toward their goal. Terrorism is not just an anti-national act; it has multiple dimensions – operational, ideological, and political. It can only be dealt with if we tackle all these dimensions,” he said.
On Pakistan’s continuous support to terrorism, Singh said, “Both, India and Pakistan attained independence at the same time. However, today India is recognised globally for IT that is ‘Information Technology’, while Pakistan is regarded as the epicenter of a different IT that is ‘International Terrorism’”.
Singh termed Operation Sindoor as a shining example of jointness and synergy of the Indian Defence Forces. He stated that the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force acted in concert and under a unified plan, demonstrating conclusively that India’s military might no longer operates in silos; instead, it has emerged as a joint, integrated, and global power.
Singh added that a remarkable shift in global perception and a positive attitude towards the reliability of indigenous weapons and defence products are being witnessed, as a direct result of Operation Sindoor. “Numerous nations have expressed keen interest in procuring weapons and defence equipment from India. The figures say it all. In the Financial Year 2025-26, defence exports reached a record high of Rs 38,424 crore, a staggering surge of 62.66% compared to the previous fiscal year. We remain steadfastly committed to further advancing our efforts to surpass these benchmarks,” he said.
On his recent visit to Germany, Singh stated that major companies across Europe are keen to collaborate with our private defence firms and Public Sector Units, terming it as a testament to India’s growing credibility. India’s formidable standing in the world has been bolstered not only by its military prowess, but also the capacity to establish deterrence, he added.
Highlighting the rapid transformation in the nature of deterrence, Singh stated that the cyber domain, space warfare, and information technology have emerged as integral components, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the epicenter of this paradigm shift. “From state-of-the-art missile systems like BrahMos used during Operation Sindoor to various surveillance platforms, AI has been deployed with great effectiveness across the board. It has elevated our precision and strike capabilities. While information on major operations often reaches the public domain, there are countless smaller operations and processes that activate preemptively to neutralise threats before they even materialise. AI is utilised extensively in all such instances,” he said.
Underscoring the practicality of the application of AI, Singh stated that it serves as a vital aid in locating terrorists and delivering a decisive response. “AI also stands for ‘Augmented Infantry’. It is significantly enhancing the capabilities of our troops. In keeping with the demands of modern warfare, we are rapidly advancing toward transforming our military into a technology-driven, integrated fighting machine. To this end, the Army has established agile, self-sufficient combat units such as the ‘Rudra’ Brigades, ‘Bhairav’ Battalions, ‘Shaktibaan’ Artillery Regiments, and ‘Divyastra’ Batteries, capable of delivering an immediate and robust response to modern hybrid threats,” he said.
Singh added that AI has emerged as a powerful instrument for transforming the working culture, ensuring the welfare of our soldiers, and elevating their standard of living. He mentioned the SPARSH portal developed for defence pensioners and veterans. Through AI-enabled chatbots, pension-related processes have significantly been simplified, he said, adding that from grievance redressal to medical records monitoring, all aspects are being managed through an AI-driven system. Furthermore, AI-based tools are being utilised to ensure that the families of soldiers never lag behind in terms of education and healthcare, he said.
Stressing that AI is becoming an indispensable component of India’s strategic preparedness in this new global order, Singh said the Government has not confined this initiative solely to the military, but has formulated a comprehensive strategy for skill development and research across the entire nation. “Through the ‘IndiaAI’ Mission, we’re actively democratising computing infrastructure across the country, thereby enabling the youth in even the smallest of towns to contribute to AI. 10,000+ GPU capacity, initiatives such as the FutureSkills program, and the establishment of Data and AI Labs serve as a testament to our resolve not to be left behind in this era of technological revolution. We recently successfully hosted India AI Impact Summit 2026, where Heads of State from over 20 nations, along with 89 countries and organisations, endorsed our AI Manifesto. Today, India plays a leading role in shaping global AI standards. We are guided by the mantra of ‘AI for All,’ ensuring that its benefits are not confined to a select few nations but extend to the Global South as well,” he said.
Singh, however, emphasised that AI cannot be viewed through a purely rosy lens, as deepfakes, cyber warfare, and autonomous weapon systems pose new & formidable challenges. “We must keep these challenges firmly in mind as they are bound to intensify further in the times to come. If AI were to spiral out of control, the very tool we created for our protection could ultimately become the instrument of destruction. Therefore, our endeavor must be to ensure that AI becomes a force that guides us, rather than one that leads us astray. Through collective efforts and international cooperation can we effectively harness the power of AI,” he said.
Singh asserted that the role of AI across various domains, ranging from battlefield surveillance and autonomous systems to logistics optimization and command decision support is being meticulously studied. “Sudarshan Air Defence system is a massive project that serves as a prime example of the exemplary application of AI. By leveraging AI, Machine Learning, and Big Data Science, our Defence Forces have formulated a roadmap to bolster their capabilities in response to emerging AI-based challenges. This strategy will prove instrumental in making them even more adaptable and responsive in the future. Through such new and emerging technologies, our nation will not only become more secure but also grow stronger and more prosperous,” he said.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat and Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit attended the event.
