Operation Sindoor not just a military action, but a symbol of India's political, social & strategic willpower: Rajnath Singh

New Delhi : “Operation Sindoor was not just a military action, but a symbol of India's political, social and strategic willpower,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh during his virtual address at the inauguration of BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on May 11, 2025. He described the operation as a demonstration of India’s strong willpower against terrorism and the capability & determination of the Armed Forces, which ensured justice to the innocent families who lost their loved ones at the hands of anti-India and terrorist organisations on the Indian soil.

Raksha Mantri termed Operation Sindoor as a proof that whenever India acts against terrorism, even the land across the border is not safe for terrorists and their masters. “Through the surgical strikes after the Uri incident, air strikes after Pulwama attack and now multiple strikes after Pahalgam attack, the world has witnessed what India can do if terror attacks are carried out on its soil. Following the policy of zero tolerance against terrorism, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has made it clear that this New India will take effective action against terrorism on both sides of the border,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh asserted that the operation was launched to destroy terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK, and innocent civilians were not targeted, however, Pakistan targeted the civilian areas in India and tried to attack temples, gurudwaras and churches. “Our Armed Forces displayed valour & restraint and gave a befitting reply by attacking many military bases of Pakistan. Not only did we take action against military bases adjacent to the border, but the indignation of our Armed Forces reached even Rawalpindi, where the Pakistani military headquarters are located,” he said.

On the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre, Raksha Mantri said it will strengthen India's efforts towards Aatmanirbharta in defence and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region by generating significant direct & indirect employment. He described the inauguration on National Technology Day as a landmark moment, which reflects India’s growing innovative energy and aligns with the rapid global transformation in critical, high end and frontier technologies.

Shri Rajnath Singh called BrahMos as not just one of the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missiles, but a message of the strength of the Indian Armed Forces, a message of deterrence to adversaries, and a message of the nation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its borders. He added that BrahMos is a confluence of top defence technologies of India and Russia.

Quoting the Missile Man of India and former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who had said ‘Unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. In this world, fear has no place, only strength respects strength’, Rakha Mantri stated that India is one of the most powerful nations today and the centre will help in further strengthening India’s power.

Terming the facility as a matter of pride for the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), Shri Rajnath Singh stated that it has already created around 500 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs, reflecting the state’s growing stature as a defence manufacturing hub. He emphasised that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s vision of setting-up the corridor rests on its goal of developing the state as the world's top defence production and export destination.

“A total of 180 MoUs have, so far, been signed in UPDIC with a proposed investment of Rs 34,000 crore, and an investment of Rs 4,000 crore has already been made. Major investments have been made in Aircraft manufacturing, UAVs, Drones, Ammunition, Composite & Critical materials, Small Arms, Textile and Parachute etc. The highlight is that the participation of both public sector and the private sectors are being witnessed. In Lucknow itself, titanium and super alloy material plants are being started by PTC Industries Limited. In addition, the foundation of seven additional critical projects is being laid. This would accelerate the pace of India's self-reliance in the defence sector,” Raksha Mantri said.

Shri Rajnath Singh reiterated the Government’s vision of ‘Make-in-India, Make-for-the-World’, stressing that self-reliance not only means catering to India’s own security needs, but it also envisages making the country a key exporter of defence equipment to the global market. Citing a recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which said that global military expenditure has risen to $2,718 billion in 2024, he stated that such a massive market is an opportunity India must seize. "The launch of the BrahMos facility is a firm stride towards making India a significant player in the world’s defence production ecosystem," he said.

Raksha Mantri appreciated the efforts of the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath, DRDO scientists, engineers, and other stakeholders for completing the project within 40 months. "Given the current circumstances, it is crucial that we continue to achieve our goals in a time-bound and efficient manner," he said. He credited the state government for creating a strong development ecosystem and implementing initiatives such as setting-up of UPDIC, establishment of DRDO’s Defence Technology & Test Centre in Lucknow and hosting DefExpo in 2020.

Speaking at the inauguration site, UP Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh for moving forward with the goal of making Lucknow a defence manufacturing hub. He said the facility in Lucknow will give a fillip to the Make-in-India initiative, Aatmanirbharta and investment in defence manufacturing.

On the state’s initiatives to promote defence manufacturing, Shri Yogi Adityanath said the work is proceeding with pace under all the six nodes of the UPDIC. He listed various projects in defence manufacturing that are being established in the state, covering both public and private industries.

The Chief Minister hailed Operation Sindoor as a message to the world that India no longer tolerates terrorism. There can be no solution to terrorism other than being absolutely crushed, he said.

The 200-acre BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow will have integration of Booster subassemblies, Avionics, Propellant, Ramjet engines. The programme center with Design & Administrative blocks are also being planned in the complex.

The approx. Rs 300 crore complex will pave the way for skill development for industry and entrepreneurs in a long way. The entire defence ecosystem of ancillary and sub-assemblies will be developed in the vicinity to support the complex. It will help in a big way in industrialisation and skill development of students of ITI, Supervisors, Engineers. It will ensure that people are not forced to migrate to look for job opportunities.

Brahmos Aerospace has selected 36 trainees for the operation of the facility. Five of these newly selected trainees were felicitated by the UP Chief Minister as part of the inauguration.

Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Keshav Prasad Maurya and Shri Brajesh Pathak, Chief Secretary Shri Manoj Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, DG Brahmos Dr Jaiteerth R Joshi, public representatives and senior officials of the central & state governments were also present on the occasion.