India wanted a stable, prosperous Pakistan but our peace efforts were mistaken for weakness: Rajnath
The Defence Minister, who opened the debate on Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha, recalled that former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had even undertaken a bus journey to Lahore with the message of peace.
New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that India knows the language of both peace and force and underlined that the country wanted a stable and prosperous Pakistan, an effort which Islamabad saw as weakness.
'This was our thought. This reflected our thinking and India's civilisational values, which view peace as a strength. However, it was misunderstood, our efforts for peace were mistaken for weakness,' Singh said Monday.
The Modi government, he said, had also made numerous efforts to establish peace with Pakistan.
But later, through the 2016 surgical strike, the 2019 Balakot air strike, and the 2025 Operation Sindoor, 'we have adopted a different path to establish peace,' he said, adding that 'the stand of the Narendra Modi government is clear—talks and terror cannot go together'.
'If we know how to make efforts for peace, we also know how to speak and explain in the language that the vicious understand.
In an hour-long speech to open the debate on Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha, Singh pulled up the Opposition saying the questions that should have been asked were 'how many enemy aircraft were shot down' and 'did India destroy terrorist bases'.
Singh also praised the Indian military and underlined precision strikes that destroyed nine terror camps in Pak and Pak-occupied Kashmir and killed over 100 terrorists.
He said that India's air defence systems including counter drone and electronic warfare had together 'foiled Pakistan's attacks'. 'Pakistan could not hit our targets… there was no damage to any of our important assets,' he said, regarding the multiple waves of drones and missiles that Pakistan launched.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Also Read: During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan likely used NATO-style aerial tactics taught by China
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
8 minutes ago
- Economic Times
EAM Dr S Jaishankar, NSA Doval plan trips to Russia this month
Synopsis India is reinforcing its longstanding relationship with Russia, planning high-level visits to Moscow despite pressure from the US to reduce oil imports. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will discuss defense collaboration, regional issues, Arctic cooperation, and increased trade. ANI External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar New Delhi: India is keeping its ties with Russia steady with high level visits planned to Moscow this month amid US President Donald Trump's demand asking to reduce oil imports from Russia and threatening penalties if New Delhi failed to do Security Adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are planning Moscow trips this month, ET has learnt. While Doval could visit Moscow in early part of this month, Jaishankar is planning a trip to Russia mid-August, it has been further defence industry collaboration besides regional situation will be big on the agenda when Doval meets his Russian counterpart, according to persons familiar with the are reports that India is looking to purchase additional S-400 defence systems which had contributed to India's success during Operation Sindoor. India also plans to have MRO facilities for S-400 here. There are also unconfirmed reports that India is exploring purchase of Su-57 fighter jets from in the resource rich Arctic region and increasing Indian exports to Russia will figure high on the agenda when Jaishankar meets his counterpart Sergey Lavrov besides First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. On Friday while defending ties with Russia MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "India and Russia have a steady and time-tested partnership." "Our bilateral relationships with various countries stand on their own merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country."India will host the next edition of the annual India-Russia summit this year that will enable President Vladimir Putin to travel to New Delhi for the first time since industry ties, energy ties in the backdrop of recent EU sanctions, civil nuclear partnership, Arctic cooperation besides joint roadmap for cooperation in the high-tech sector will be on the agenda of the Summit, ET had reported last monthFood security could also be on the agenda of the Summit. Putin recently mentioned following Modi's direct request, Russia increased exports of fertilisers to other issues, Russia wants India to increase its presence in a big way in the resource rich Arctic region and earmark a second site for the nuclear power plant even as it has established its presence in the Small Modular Reactor workforce is increasing in the Russian construction and textile sector and a formal agreement on manpower could be inked during the summit.
India.com
8 minutes ago
- India.com
'World witnessed power of Made in India weapons during Op Sindoor...': PM Modi lauds homegrown BrahMos, says missile will soon...
ANI Photo BrahMos Missile: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded India's indigenous weapons used during Operation Sindoor and said that Brahmos Missiles will soon be manufactured in Lucknow. Addressing a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, PM Modi commended India's air defence system, which countered Pakistani drones and missiles during the military operation. He said, 'During Operation Sindoor, the world saw the capabilities of our indigenous weapons. Our Air Defence Systems, missiles, and drones have proved the strength of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', especially the Brahmos missiles. Brahmos missiles will now be manufactured in Lucknow.' The Prime Minister added that major defence companies are setting up their manufacturing plants in the UP defence corridor. 'Many major defence firms are setting up their manufacturing plants in the UP defence corridor. Made in India weapons will soon become the strength of our forces,' he said. Prime Minister Modi also hailed Operation Sindoor and said that he avenged the loss of the Pahalgam terror attack with the blessings of Lord Mahadev. During his 51st visit to his Lok Sabha constituency, Varanasi, PM Modi dedicated the success of Operation Sindoor to Lord Mahadev. PM Modi said, 'This is the first time I have come to Kashi after Operation Sindoor. 26 innocent civilians were mercilessly killed by terrorists in Pahalgam. My heart was full of sorrow. I had pledged to take revenge for my daughters' sindoor, and I fulfilled it with the blessings of Mahadev. I dedicate the success of Operation Sindoor to the feet of Mahadev.' He assured that anyone messing with India will not be spared. PM Modi said, 'When there is injustice and terror in front, Mahadev adorns his 'Rudra roop'. The world saw this face of India during Operation Sindoor. Anyone who messes with India will not be spared even in 'pataal lok'.' Indian armed forces carried out Operation Sindoor on May 7 to avenge the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, which killed 26 people. (Only the headline has been reworked by staff. Copy comes from an agency feed)
Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Amsterdam Pride parade blends celebration and protest in LGBTQ+ show of solidarity
Around 80 colorful pride boats sailed through Amsterdam's World Heritage canals on Saturday in the finale of a week-long celebration in the city that stood in stark contrast to recent crackdowns on LGBTQ+ rights in fellow EU member state Hungary. While the flotilla is not political, attendees used the occasion to criticise conflicts or world leaders for their stance on LGBTQ+ rights. Thehany Gilmore, a 43-year-old Dutch-Caribbean dressed in a leather outfit with a whip, said banning of the Budapest pride parade 'is a form of oppression.' 'People everywhere should have their own pride to be able to represent who they are,' she said. Palestinian flags were spotted among the crowd of revelers, and Dutch police arrested four activists who had jumped in the water to vandalize the boat in protest over its listings in settlements in Israeli-occupied territories. Others criticized US President Donald Trump, whose administration implemented anti-trans policies and cut funding for international aid programs, dealing a setback to HIV prevention efforts in Africa. Some waved a hybrid US/Pride flag, while one boat declared itself a 'Trump-Free Pride Boat' with signs reading 'Trans Rights Are Human Rights.' Another featured mock graveyards and the message 'Trump's Actions Kill. Love Saves Lives,' highlighting fears over US AIDS funding cuts. 'Amsterdam Pride is… about expressing yourself, showing who you are, being grateful for the freedom that we have in Europe. The US really needs to reinvent itself… be more open about people,' 40-year-old Michael Jacobs, who hails from Dutch port city Rotterdam, said. 'Don't judge people for who they are. Just love each other.'
