India was ‘ready for long war’ against Pakistan during Op Sindoor, says Rajnath Singh

DEfence government minister Rajnath Singh on th reiterated that bharat position a arrest on Operation Sindoor voluntarily, on its own terms, and was ready for a “long war” against Pakistan.Singh was speaking at the ANI National Security Summit 2.0, when he called Pakistan the epicentre of International Terrorism and called for uprooting the ideological and political roots of terrorism.“During Operation Sindoor, we precisely targeted those who had attacked us. And I want to clarify here again that we didn't stop this operation because our capabilities had diminished. We stopped it voluntarily, on our own terms, and if necessary, we were fully prepared for a long war,” he said.The defence minister added that the Indian armed forces have expanded their capabilities since then and are robust in times of sudden need.Also Read: How Islamabad built its narrative on Op Sindoor“And we also had surge capacity, the ability to expand our capabilities in times of sudden need. Not only did we have it, but we still have it, and it's even more robust than before. Therefore, I don't think there's any need to say anything more,” he said.Singh hailed Operation Sindoor as a “turning point” that showed the world India does not rely solely on diplomatic statements in response to terrorist attacks. He also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “zero tolerance policy” on terrorism, saying under his leadership, “no terrorist activity will be tolerated under any circumstances.”“It's been almost a year since Operation Sindoor, and our Operation Sindoor is also a symbol of this new world order. It was a turning point that sent a message to the entire world that India is no longer the one that adheres to the old way of thinking, where terrorist attacks occur on our soil, we merely issue diplomatic statements. And under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, our government has maintained that no terrorist activity will be tolerated under any circumstances.”Also Read: India, Pakistan held Track 1.5, 2 meetings after Op SindoorHe said terrorism is not only an “anti-national act” but has multiple dimensions and can be effectively addressed only by tackling all of them.“Terrorism is not just an anti-national act, it has multi-dimensions, and terrorism can only be dealt with if we tackle it in all its three dimensions--operational, ideological, and political. The true IP address of terrorism is its ideological and political roots, where it thrives,” he said.He likened terrorism to the “nectar in Ravana’s navel”, saying that even if one head is cut off, another regenerates. He added that it is essential to eliminate this source that sustains terrorism.“The ideological nourishment and political patronage of terrorism is like the nectar in Ravana’s navel, which, after one head is cut off, allows another to grow. I believe it is essential to dry up this source that gives life to terrorism.”Also Read: India was 'minutes away' from striking Pakistan from sea during Operation Sindoor: Navy ChiefSingh slammed Pakistan for supporting terrorism, saying that even though both countries got independence together, India is known worldwide for its Information Technology, while Pakistan is considered the epicentre of other IT, i.e., International Terrorism.“We have always seen that countries like Pakistan have consistently supported terrorism, and this is why both India and Pakistan gained independence at the same time, but today, India is known worldwide for its Information Technology, while Pakistan is considered the epicentre of other IT, i.e., International Terrorism. Our military industrial complex has proven that it is not only for the period of peace, but it is also prepared for rapid supply during wartime.”Singh said that during Operation Sindoor, India was threatened with a nuclear attack but it did not fall for that “bluff.”“We were even threatened with a nuclear attack, but we did not fall for that bluff," the defence minister added.India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025 in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.