The Impressive TimesGoa, May 30, 2025 – Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing naval officers and sailors aboard India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off the Goa coast, said Operation Sindoor is a decisive step in India’s battle against terrorism and a clear warning to those supporting it. He emphasized that if Pakistan resorts to any evil intent, it will face the full force of the Indian Navy.
Speaking on board the carrier, the Defence Minister declared, “Operation Sindoor is not yet over; it’s just a pause.” He praised the Navy’s silent and strategic deployment during the operation, which, he said, ensured that the Pakistani Navy remained confined to its ports. “Had they stepped out, they would have faced dire consequences,” he asserted.
Rajnath Singh made it clear that India will use all available means to eliminate terrorism. “Pakistan has played this dangerous game for too long. Now, every provocation will be met with a powerful response. We are free to take any action—on land, at sea, or across the border,” he said.
He reiterated the demand for Pakistan to hand over UN-designated terrorists Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India. “If Pakistan is serious about peace talks, the first step should be the extradition of those responsible for crimes against India,” he said, referring to their involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
The Defence Minister also commended the Indian Navy’s swift and coordinated response following the Pahalgam terror attack. Within 96 hours, Indian warships conducted missile and torpedo firings across both western and eastern seaboards, showcasing combat readiness and intent. “This forced the enemy into a defensive position,” Singh noted.
He highlighted the force projection of the Carrier Battle Group, calling it a demonstration of India’s resolve and naval superiority. “This operation not only broke the enemy’s morale but also sent a message that any terrorist attack on Indian soil will now be considered an act of war,” he said.
Rajnath Singh lauded the synergy among the Army, Navy, and Air Force during Operation Sindoor. “Our strikes were so precise that they crippled Pakistan’s terror infrastructure and its intent. Our forces halted on our own terms. We had not even shown the full extent of our might,” he said.
He said India is now prepared to counter threats across all domains — land, air, sea, cyber, and information. Singh recalled INS Vikrant’s legacy in the 1961 Goa Liberation and hailed its new avatar for leading India’s strategic offensive today.
He emphasized that the Indian Navy is no longer just the guardian of the Indian Ocean but a rising global force. “The Navy’s strength warns the enemy that India is not just a regional power anymore—it is becoming a global power,” he said.
Rajnath Singh also visited other key warships that participated in Operation Sindoor and interacted with sailors involved in the mission. Earlier, upon his arrival in Goa on May 29, he was briefed on maritime operations and readiness at sea.
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