"We did not ask the dharma of terrorists, we targeted terror, not civilians or military establishments": Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday invoked India's major military responses to the 2016 Surgical Strikes, the 2019 Balakot Air Strikes, and Operation Sindoor in 2025, as strong demonstrations of India's unwavering resolve to safeguard its citizens and territorial integrity. As per the release issued by MoD, Singh said, "Whenever India's pride and dignity has been at stake, we have always made no compromises. When we responded to the Pahalgam terror attack, we did not ask the dharma of the terrorists -we targeted terror, not civilians or military establishments."

Rajnath Singh emphasised that India's growing military and economic strength is not meant to assert dominance over others, but to protect its cultural values, spiritual traditions, and the humane ideals taught by Lord Mahavira. Highlighting the rapid strides made in the defence sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Raksha Mantri said that India's defence exports, which stood at approx Rs 600 crore in 2014, have surged to over Rs 24,000 crore today. He expressed the confidence that defence exports would cross Rs 50,000 Crore by 2029.

"From Tejas fighter jets to Akash missiles and Arjun tanks, our armed forces are increasingly being equipped with Made-in-India platforms," he said. Calling it a testimony of India's journey towards Aatmanirbharta, Raksha Mantri spoke about the recent agreement to procure 97 Light Combat Aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, with more than 64% indigenous content.

"Today, India manufactures everything from toys to tanks. India is rapidly progressing towards becoming the world's manufacturing hub. And the day is not far when India will emerge as the Factory of the World. And all this will be possible because the government's intentions are clear and its policies are in the national interest," the Defence Minister added. In his address,the Defence Minister also talked about the economic growth of India as the nation is currently the world's fourth-largest economy. With an estimated GDP of USD 7.3 trillion by 2030, it is on track to become the third-largest economy. Citing the International Monetary Fund reports, he stated that, based on average growth rates, India is on track to become the world's second-largest economy by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) by 2038.

The Raksha Mantri lauded the legacy of great Jain personalities, such as Vikram Sarabhai, D S Kothari, Jagdish Chandra Jain, and Meenakshi Jain, whose work continues to inspire the nation. He also commended the government's efforts to preserve India's Jain heritage, including the repatriation of over 20 stolen idols of Tirthankaras from abroad and the recognition of the Prakrit language, used in Jain scriptures, as a Classical Language of India. He urged citizens to draw inspiration from the teachings of Lord Mahavira and the principles of Jain Dharma, especially non-violence, truth, and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness), as India marches towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. (ANI)

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