If Pakistan serious about talks, it must hand over Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar, Says Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made it crystal clear on Friday that if Pakistan is keen on talking to India, it should first surrender the masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Hafiz Saeed, and Jaish-e-Mohammed leader Masood Azhar, so justice could be delivered.

Addressing officers and sailors on board the INS Vikrant off Goa's coast, Singh remarked that this is the first time that a senior minister has clearly defined India's terms for resuming talks after Operation Sindoor.

"It is within Pakistan's own interest to destroy the terrorist infrastructure functioning from its soil. They need to begin by extraditing terrorists such as Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India.". Both of them are on India's most wanted list and are UN designated terrorists. Tahawwur Rana, another suspect in the Mumbai attacks, was just brought to India. The Mumbai attacks are the responsibility of Hafiz Saeed, and justice should be served — one day it will, but it cannot be done if he is still in Pakistan," Singh underlined.

He pointed out that while Pakistan has been continuing to hold out for talks, including a recent offer by Pakistan's Prime Minister, India has remained insistent that any talks should be exclusively about terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. "If Pakistan is serious, it should extradite these terrorists to India so justice can be served. What that justice is, I need not describe," Singh stated.

Looking back at Operation Sindoor, Singh commended the Indian Navy for its "silent service" and strategic victory. "Even though it operated in the background, the Navy was able to keep the Pakistan Army occupied. Pakistan did not have to endure the full fury of the Navy this time, but the world is aware that if Pakistan ever indulges in mischief, the Indian Navy is waiting to fire," he added.

Reminding of the 1971 war, Singh said, "When the Navy was fully committed then, Pakistan got bifurcated. If the Indian Navy had been committed in full strength during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan may not have remained bifurcated into only two parts but possibly into four."

He went on to describe how the Indian Air Force attacks on terror camps within Pakistan were supplemented by the Navy's dominance of the Arabian Sea, effectively confining the Pakistan Navy to Pakistan's waters. "Within 96 hours of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, our Western Fleet had successful missile and torpedo tests on the western and eastern coasts," he added.

Singh denounced the overt anti-India operations initiated from Pakistani land and asserted India's right to respond to terrorists on both terrestrial and naval borders. "The world understands India's right to defend its people. Operation Sindoor was not just a military action but an attack on terrorism itself. If Pakistan attempts any mischief again, it will have the complete ire of the Indian Navy.". India will not hesitate to use all means necessary to eliminate terrorism,” he warned.

Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s position, Singh said any terrorist attack on Indian soil would be treated as an “act of war” and met with an equally strong response.

He concluded by stressing that Operation Sindoor sent a clear message to terrorists and their sponsors: India will no longer tolerate attacks and will respond decisively. Within a short period, we have obliterated Pakistan's terrorist camps and their plans. Our troops had just started showing their prowess. What has been done so far is only a prelude. If Pakistan provokes us again, the Indian Navy will be deployed in full force — only God knows the damage to Pakistan. The operation has not yet ended; it was merely a pause, a comma, a warning," Singh stated.