“India pursues progress & innovation, Pakistan promotes terrorism & infiltration”
New Delhi: “The success of Operation Sindoor is proof that India possesses the capability to respond to Pakistan’s every misadventure with a severity far beyond its imagination,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, reiterating that there would be no talks with Pakistan, and any dialogue would focus solely on PoK, which, he described, as an integral part of India illegally occupied by Pakistan. Addressing the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations in Dras on July 26, 2026, Defence Minister stated that every nefarious act against India’s sovereignty would be met with the same resolute response that the Indian Defence Forces delivered to terrorists and their patrons through Op Sindoor with unmatched bravery.
Rajnath Singh asserted that, in Pakistan, the distinction between the military and militants has vanished, with the country making terrorism a part of its state policy. “Pakistan’s military not only shelters terrorist organisations but also works with them. That is why, during Op Sindoor, we made it clear that India no longer views terrorists and the governments that nurture them as separate entities,” he said.
Defence Minister added that 27 years have passed after the Kargil War, and the paths taken by India and Pakistan have diverged sharply. “While India is exploring new avenues of innovation, Pakistan is seeking new routes for infiltration. India is engaged in chip design, whereas Pakistan is busy designing terror. India is building a start-up ecosystem, while Pakistan is constructing a terror ecosystem. India is manufacturing semiconductors; Pakistan is preparing suicide bombers. India is recognised for space missions, while Pakistan is running proxy missions. India is sending satellites into space, whereas Pakistan focuses on sending terrorists across the border. India is providing software to the world, while Pakistan is exporting sleeper cells. India is establishing data centers; Pakistan is setting up radicalisation centers. India is connecting the world through UPI, while Pakistan is linking terrorism with hawala networks. In short, our paths diverge; should Pakistan attempt to obstruct our path to prosperity with its nefarious designs, our defence forces stand ready to deliver a befitting response,” he stated.
Rajnath Singh asserted that the Central government possesses the political will to give the defence forces a free hand to respond decisively to threats, exuding confidence that no adversary would dare cast a hostile eye on India while its soldiers guard the nation’s borders.
Defence Minister paid glowing tributes to India’s gallant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to defend the motherland during the 1999 Kargil War. He remembered the countless bravehearts, including Param Vir Chakra awardees Captain Vikram Batra and Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, who continue to inspire the nation, especially the youth. He termed Kargil Vijay Diwas as a day of inspiration for every young person who seeks to understand the distinction between personal success and national duty. “This day teaches us that the spirit of ‘sacrifice’ and ‘service’ forms the backbone of any nation,” he said.
Rajnath Singh highlighted that the Kargil War Memorial reflected the entirety of India as the fallen heroes represented every region of the country. “This wall of unity, despite diversities, stands tall against those who wish to harm us,” he said.
Defence Minister emphasised that conflicts such as those in West Asia and between Russia & Ukraine have not only tested the capabilities of defence forces but also the resilience, patience and resolve of nations. He asserted that while India has a strong and capable military, safeguarding national security is a shared responsibility of every citizen. Stressing the importance of the spirit of ‘Nation First’, discipline and a sense of duty, he said every Indian should possess a soldier-like consciousness. “I am not suggesting that every citizen must become a soldier, but should the nation ever face a situation requiring the direct or indirect support of its people, every Indian must be mentally, morally and physically prepared to step forward in defence of the country. Just as every soldier is first and foremost an Indian, the courage, discipline and patriotism of a soldier must always remain alive within every Indian,” he added.
Rajnath Singh underlined that the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 extends beyond economic prosperity, describing it as a commitment to strategic strength, cultural pride and social harmony. He stressed that this vision can be realised only by embracing the same dedication and sense of duty exemplified by the heroes of the Kargil War in every sphere of nation-building.
Defence Minister highlighted that the Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is according highest priority to national security and the welfare of soldiers. “Kargil War has taught us that we must remain ever-vigilant at our borders in every season and under all circumstances”, he said, pointing out that border infrastructure is being continuously strengthened, with equal emphasis being laid on modernising the military capabilities in sync with the changing times to enhance their operational efficiency.
Drawing inspiration from Captain Vikram Batra’s iconic catchphrase ‘Yeh Dil Maange More’, Rajnath Singh asserted that rapid strides are being made to achieve Aatmanirbharta in defence production, and the Government remains committed to accelerating the progress. “When our government assumed office, India used to import 65 to 70 percent of defence equipment. Today, we’re manufacturing 65 percent of our defence equipment on Indian soil. Today, our soldiers possess the indigenously developed air defence control system ‘Akash-Teer’. We have developed the next-generation Akash missile. India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier ‘INS Vikrant’, Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’, Light Combat Helicopter ‘Prachand’, Advanced Light Helicopter ‘Dhruv’, Main Battle Tank ‘Arjun’, ‘Pinaka’ multi-barrel rocket launcher, ‘Astra’ air-to-air missile, and modern drones & counter-drone systems are also strengthening the combat readiness of the defence forces. But, ‘Yeh Dil Maange More’. We will continue working to manufacture even more modern weapons, next-generation fighter aircraft, submarines, and missiles right in India,” he said.
During the event, Defence Minister laid a wreath at the Cenotaph and observed silence in remembrance of the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice during Operation Vijay in 1999. Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, GOC 14 Corps Lt Gen Madanraj Pande and GOC 8 Mtn Div Maj Gen AP Singh also joined Rajnath Singh in paying homage to the Kargil War heroes. Senior military and civil dignitaries, Kargil War veterans, gallantry awardees, Veer Naris, Next of Kin and local citizens also attended the ‘Shradhanjali Samaroh’.
Defence Minister signed the Visitors’ Book and witnessed ‘Gaurav Gatha’, presented by two Non-Commissioned Officers, recounting the courage, determination and indomitable spirit displayed by Indian soldiers during Operation Vijay. He also inaugurated the Virtual Walkthrough Portal, designed to provide wider public access to the history and legacy of the Kargil War. He then visited the Hut of Remembrance, and paid homage at Veer Bhoomi.
Rajnath Singh also interacted with dignitaries, soldiers and families over tea. He thereafter flagged-in the ‘Shaurya Vijay Yatra’, a motorcycle rally organised as part of the Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations, which he had flagged off from the National War Memorial, New Delhi, on July 14, 2026.
As Defence Minister led the defence forces in celebrating Kargil Vijay Diwas in Dras, Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, New Delhi and paid homage to the fallen heroes. Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen Sandeep Jain also paid homage to the bravehearts.
