Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said India must remain prepared for a “war-like situation” at all times, citing the four-day conflict with Pakistan in May as a reminder that “anything can happen anytime” along the borders.
Speaking at the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) Annual Session 2025, Singh said Operation Sindoor (May 7–10) should serve as a case study for strengthening national security preparedness.
WHAT IS THE MATTER
India must remain ready for a “war-like situation,” as the four-day military conflict with Pakistan in May showed anything can happen anytime along the frontiers, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday.
Addressing an event, Singh said that though India gave a “firm response” to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, it should serve as a case study to learn and chart the future course of action in dealing with national security challenges.
The defence minister said the effective use of indigenously manufactured military equipment during the May 7-10 operation bolstered India’s reputation both regionally and internationally.
“Although we gave a firm response with a firm resolve and our forces are fully prepared to defend the country’s borders, we must continue to introspect,” he said.
“Operation Sindoor should serve as a case study from which we can learn and chart our future course. This incident has once again shown us that anything can happen at our borders, anywhere, at any time,” the minister said.
“We need to be ready for a war-like situation, and our preparedness must be based on our own foundation,” he said.
The defence minister emphasised that the present-day global uncertainties call for an in-depth assessment of every domain, with ‘indigenisation’ being the only way to deal with the challenges.
