“Operation Sindoor was a symbol of India’s will power and capability, and a message to the world that we’re always ready to respond to every challenge,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh while addressing the Naval Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi on October 23, 2025. He commended the Indian Navy for creating a deterrent posture that forced Pakistan to remain confined to its harbor or close to its coast, highlighting the Navy’s operational readiness, professional capability, and strength demonstrated during the operation.
Indian Navy’s Strategic Deterrence and Regional Leadership
Shri Rajnath Singh described the Indian Navy’s presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as a source of “comfort for friendly nations” and “discomfort for those who seek to destabilize the region.” He pointed out that the IOR has become the center of contemporary geopolitics, evolving from passivity to an area marked by competition and cooperation. In the past six months, the Navy has deployed ships, submarines, and aircraft at an unprecedented scale, providing safe passage to approximately 335 merchant vessels carrying roughly 1.2 million metric tons of cargo valued at $5.6 billion. This accomplishment underlines India’s growing stature as a trusted and capable partner in global maritime commerce.
India’s Push for Self-Reliance and Innovation in Defence
Describing the Navy as the cornerstone of a confident and powerful nation, the Raksha Mantri praised the Navy’s push towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat through indigenous equipment and technology. Over the last decade, 67% of the Navy’s capital acquisitions have been sourced from Indian industries, showcasing a decisive shift from import dependence. The Navy is actively engaged in 194 innovation and indigenization projects under initiatives like iDEX, TDF, SPRINT, and Make-in-India, involving MSMEs, startups, and private sector participation.
This indigenization drive has created approximately 127,000 jobs in shipyards including MDL and GRSE, aligning defence production with national economic and youth employment goals. Importantly, the Navy has made several innovations in its aviation sector through projects such as the Multi-role Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft, Utility Helicopters, Twin-engine Deck Fighters, and Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems, closing capability gaps and reinforcing technological self-sufficiency.
Balanced Focus on Strategy, Technology, and Agility
The Raksha Mantri emphasized that modern warfare demands a synthesis of strategy, advanced technology, and human judgment. While fleet size and modernization matter, tactical usage, agility, and adaptability are crucial components of effective naval operations. He highlighted the importance of integrating technology-driven, network-centric, and autonomous systems to counter evolving threats and leverage India’s manufacturing potential.
Future Outlook and Collaborative Strength
He called for a synergy of capability, people, and partnerships to enhance the Navy’s reliability and power. “Capability means technology and strength; people means sailors and their families; and partnerships mean industries, academia, and international cooperation,” he remarked. The conference, attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and other senior officials, aimed to fine-tune naval strategies to meet complex geo-strategic challenges and promote India’s vision of MAHASAGAR—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across all Regions.
Conclusion: Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor proved India’s preparedness and naval dominance, establishing the Navy as a key driver of self-reliance and innovation. Its strategic presence in the IOR fosters regional stability and asserts India as a preferred security partner, strengthened by indigenous capability and comprehensive national vision. This accomplishment underlines India’s growing stature as a trusted and capable partner in global maritime commerce. This indigenization drive has created approximately 127,000 jobs in shipyards including MDL and GRSE, aligning defence production with national economic and youth employment goals. Operation Sindoor proved India’s preparedness and naval dominance, establishing the Navy as a key driver of self-reliance and innovation.
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Source: PIB
