Defence Minister Rajnath Singh applauds the Indian Navy on his visit INS Vikrant

New Delhi (India) May 31: Rajnath Singh visited INS Vikrant to interact with naval officers participating in the operation and assess the mission's operational results. Singh gave the Navy credit for its efforts during Operation Sindoor, stating that the Pakistani Navy was restricted to its own waters due to India's superior maritime domain awareness and domination.

He said, “Today I have come here not only as the defence minister, but I have come here as a grateful Indian. I have come to salute your dedication, appreciate your valour and salute your hard work.”

Singh emphasized the Indian Navy's overwhelming power by sending a severe warning to Pakistan. He claimed that Pakistan would have faced a worse fate than the war of 1971 if the Navy had actively cooperated with the other armed forces during Operation Sindoor.

He said, “1971 is a witness to this, that when the Indian Navy came into action, Pakistan was divided from one to two. If the Indian Navy had come into action in Operation Sindoor, then Pakistan would not only have been divided into two parts, but I think it would have been divided into four parts.”

He highlighted the Navy's changing role in India's strategic plan and mentioned INS Vikrant as a "symbol of indomitable courage and unconquerable power."

Singh's comments came at a time of changing power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific which are monitoring India's growing maritime reach and defence determination.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that Pakistan should turn up Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) leader Masood Azhar and 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed to India if it is sincere about a conversation. He pointed out that both are on the UN's list of declared terrorists and India's "Most Wanted" list.

He said, “It would be in Pakistan's interest to uproot the nurseries of terrorism operating on its soil with its own hands. It should start by handing over terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India... If Pakistan is serious about talks, then it should hand over terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India so that justice can be done.”

Rajnath Singh also gave a strong warning to Pakistan and said, “We will use every method against terror that Pakistan can think of, and will also not hesitate to use those which Pakistan can't even think of.”

India began Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. The operation targeted terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

Aadrika Tayal