New Delhi, May 14: Reiterating India’s “zero tolerance” policy against terrorism, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday warned Pakistan of a stronger response if India is provoked again.
Addressing a public gathering in Rajasthan’s Nagaur after unveiling statues of former vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Rajput ruler Rao Duda Mertia, Singh, referred to the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and said the country had moved away from what he described as a passive approach to terrorism.
He said India had demonstrated through the 2016 surgical strikes, the 2019 Balakot airstrikes and Operation Sindoor that it would respond firmly to terror attacks originating from across the border.
“India does not provoke anyone, but if somebody provokes us, we do not spare them,” Singh said while addressing the gathering.
Without naming specific groups, the Defence Minister said Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 civilians dead had angered the entire country and forced India to deliver what he termed a “fitting reply.”
Singh said “Operation Sindoor” had sent a clear message to Pakistan and claimed the operation showcased unprecedented coordination among the Army, Air Force and Navy.
“Pakistan may now think twice before attempting such acts again. But if it repeats such actions, India’s response will be even stronger,” he said.
The Minister asserted that no border would prevent India from acting against terrorism if national security was threatened.
He added that the country’s policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi was based on zero tolerance towards terrorism.
Referring to India’s changing security doctrine, Singh said the country was no longer willing to “silently suffer” attacks on its citizens and would retaliate decisively against those responsible.
He also said Indian culture promoted justice and humanity without discrimination based on caste or religion, contrasting it with what he alleged was the conduct of terrorists involved in attacks on civilians.
Meanwhile, Rajnath Singh has also decided to reduce the size of his official convoy to less than half of its earlier strength following Prime Minister Modi’s recent appeal to conserve fuel and encourage economic resilience amid the ongoing West Asia crisis. (KNO)
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