Defense Minister Rajnath Singh warned Pakistan on Thursday that India would strike back decisively if provoked again, saying a recent military operation had sent a strong message to its neighbor.
Speaking at a public event in Merta town in Nagaur district after unveiling a statue of a Rajput ruler, Singh said Operation Sindoor “had sent a strong message to Pakistan.”
“Perhaps Pakistan will not dare to look at India with hostility again. But I want to say that if it does, what has not happened till now will happen,” Singh said.
He added that India’s policy has been not to provoke anyone, “but if anyone provokes us, we do not spare them either.”
Referring to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, Singh said terrorists killed people after asking about their religion.
“Indian culture says there should be no division based on caste or religion. We believe in justice and humanity. But terrorists from Pakistan were shooting people after asking their religion,” he said. “The entire country was angry. We gave such a strong reply that the enemy was stunned. We proved that India is no longer a country that silently suffers. If anyone attacks our citizens, we will enter their homes and respond. No border can stop us.”
Singh said India has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy against terrorism, citing the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes as examples of the country’s changing response strategy.
