Vadodara: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh affirmed on Tuesday that Operation Sindoor reflects India’s firm resolve against terrorism, stating it demonstrates that the country “responds strongly to those who do not understand peace and goodwill.” He drew parallels between India’s decisive actions and the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, known for prioritising dialogue while exercising bold decisions when required – including the integration of Hyderabad into the Indian Union.
The minister was speaking at the Sardar Sabha in Vadodara, held as part of the ‘Unity March’ organised by Mera Yuva Bharat, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, according to an official statement.
Lauding the Armed Forces for the successful conduct of Operation Sindoor, he said global recognition of India’s defence capability continues to grow. Singh reiterated that India remains a peace-loving nation, but will not hesitate to protect its sovereignty if provoked.
Honouring Sardar Patel’s Legacy
Rajnath Singh described Patel as a pivotal figure in shaping a unified India. He said Patel’s vision of “One India, Best India” has strengthened under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Referring to the abrogation of Article 370, he noted that the decision reinforced the integration of Jammu & Kashmir with the national mainstream.
He added that India, once uncertain on the global stage, is now confidently engaging with the world on its own terms. “India is marching ahead towards becoming a major economic and strategic power. This is due to the immense contribution of Sardar Patel,” he added.
India’s Growing Strategic and Economic Power
Highlighting the government’s work toward national development, Singh said India, ranked 11th globally in economic size before 2014, now holds the fourth position and is progressing toward the top three. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’ while strengthening the idea of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ and the goal of building a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
