“We Could Have Done More, But Chose Restraint”: Rajnath Singh on India’s Measured Might in Operation Sindoor

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday sent a strong message of India’s evolving military doctrine, asserting that the country displayed “strength with restraint” during Operation Sindoor, India’s counterstrike against Pakistan following the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Speaking at the inaugural plenary session of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Summit in New Delhi, Singh lauded the disciplined might of the Indian Armed Forces, making it clear that while India had the capability to cause far greater devastation, it chose a path of calibrated military precision.

“You saw how we first destroyed the terrorist hideouts and then the enemy’s military bases and airbases,” Singh said. “‘Karne ko hum kuch aur bhi kar sakte the’ (We could have done even more), but we presented a great example of coordination of power and restraint to the world.”

The May 7 operation targeted major terror outfits including Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen across Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), resulting in the elimination of more than 100 militants. The precision strikes reportedly also dismantled key military infrastructure in 11 Pakistani airbases.

In response to Pakistani retaliatory shelling and drone incursions, Singh said India’s countermeasures were both strong and decisive. Despite having the upper hand, India chose to respect the norms of responsible state behaviour.

On May 10, a mutual understanding on cessation of hostilities between the two nations was reached, drawing a temporary close to the escalation.

Singh also emphasized a shift in India’s diplomatic framework vis-à-vis Pakistan.

“We have redesigned and redefined India’s stance against terrorism. From now on, whenever talks happen, they will only be about terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). There will be no discussion with Pakistan on any other issue,” he declared.

Stressing India’s deep-rooted ties to PoK, Singh added: “The people of PoK are our own. They are part of our family. We firmly believe that our brothers, who are today geographically and politically separated from us, will one day surely return to the Indian mainstream, with self-respect and of their own free will.”

The Defence Minister also highlighted the growing role of the Make in India initiative in bolstering India’s strategic independence. He said that enhanced domestic manufacturing in defence had significantly strengthened the country’s preparedness and response capabilities.