NEW DELHI: In the wake of the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has assured the nation that those responsible will face a strong and befitting response. Speaking at a memorial lecture honoring Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh in New Delhi, Singh condemned the attack and reiterated the Modi governmentโs zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.
Speaking at the โArjan Singh Memorial Lectureโ in New Delhi https://t.co/MyxiKpKGRz
โ Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 23, 2025
โIndia is an ancient civilisation and a strong nation. Such cowardly acts cannot intimidate us. Every Indian stands united in defiance of terror,โ Singh declared. He added that not only the perpetrators but also those who conspired behind the scenes would face consequences.
Expressing condolences to the families of those killed in the attack, Singh said, โThis inhuman act has deeply pained us. Our prayers are with the victims and their families in this hour of grief.โ
The Defence Minister used the platform to also highlight Indiaโs broader strategic and defence objectives. Paying tribute to Marshal Arjan Singh, he credited the military leaderโs vision for shaping the Indian Air Force (IAF) into one of the worldโs most formidable air forces. He described the IAFโs journey as one of inspiration and transformation, rooted in a commitment to national security.
Singh emphasized that the government is focused on transforming the Armed Forces with a self-reliant defence ecosystem. โOur aim is to establish the IAF as a dominant regional power,โ he said. Key to this mission is reducing import dependency and achieving defence sovereignty through indigenous production.
He cited the success of Indian-made systems like the LCA Tejas, Dhruv, Prachand helicopters, and Akash and BrahMos air defence systems as proof of Indiaโs growing capability. He also underlined the increasing role of the private sector, start-ups, and MSMEs in high-tech defence innovation.
On future goals, Singh stressed the importance of aero-engine development, fifth-generation fighter aircraft, and LCA Mark-2. He noted significant advancements in technologies such as the Astra Mark-2, Pralay missile, and next-gen air defence systems.
Singh concluded by addressing the evolving global power dynamics and the growing strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific. He warned that modern warfare, driven by AI, hypersonic weapons, quantum computing, and cyber tech, is becoming increasingly unpredictable. โThe government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is committed to equipping our forces to face these challenges head-on,โ he affirmed.
The event was attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, senior civil and military officials, and veterans of the Indian Air Force.
