Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday credited the Indian military with its quick victory in Operation Sindoor, stating that the adversary — a coded reference to Pakistan — was "brought to its knees" in just 22 minutes.
Addressing a centenary event on the historic interaction between Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi, Modi reiterated that made-in-India weapons were key to the operation, marking India's increasing self-reliance in defense.
"Operation Sindoor clearly showed India's strong resolve against terrorism. The message is clear and loud — those who shed the blood of Indians will get no haven," the Prime Minister stated.
He termed the operation a milestone moment for India's changing defence policy, highlighting that the weapons made in India were at the core of the mission's success. "Our defence forces made the enemy surrender within 22 minutes, and that too using machinery built here in India," said Modi. "It is a reflection of our capabilities, and I believe Indian-made defence systems will soon be recognized across the world.
Emphasizing the Guru's spiritual and reformist vision, Modi stated that the government's development plans took inspiration from the Guru's vision for a strong, discrimination-free India. "In order to achieve that vision, we have to be economically strong, socially strong, and militarily strong. And we are working towards it," he stated.
The Prime Minister also highlighted India's consistent rise on the international economic platform. "India is well on its path to becoming the third-largest economy in the world," he said, linking economic advancement to national empowerment.
Turning his attention to social welfare, Modi pointed to the expansion of key infrastructure and education institutions under his administration. “In the last 11 years, we’ve opened more IITs, IIMs, and AIIMS than ever before,” he noted.
In a scathing attack on past governments, Modi averred that decades after independence, vast segments of people continued to be without the bare necessities. "Crores of households lived without decent houses. Lakhs of villages lacked proper drinking water. Health services were so poor that even simple ailments turned into crises," he averred, contending that all these failures denied poor citizens and women dignity.
Now, he asserted, the government’s programs in housing, water access, and health insurance were correcting those historical wrongs. “We’ve committed ourselves to empowering every section of society — especially those left behind for generations,” Modi concluded.
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