Executive Summary
On July 26, 2026, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh addressed the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas in Dras to honor fallen heroes and highlight India’s strategic resolve. He emphasized that Operation Sindoor demonstrates India's capability to respond decisively to external threats and reiterated that any future dialogue with Pakistan would focus exclusively on PoK. The document outlines a continued commitment to "Aatmanirbharta" (self-reliance) in defense and the vision of "Viksit Bharat@2047."
Key Points / Main Content
Diplomatic and Strategic Stance
India maintains a policy of no talks with Pakistan, asserting that any future dialogue will focus solely on PoK as an integral part of India.
The Indian government no longer distinguishes between the Pakistani military and militants, viewing them as a single entity.
Operation Sindoor is cited as proof of India's readiness to deliver severe, resolute responses to acts against its sovereignty.
National Security and Citizen Responsibility
National security is defined as a shared responsibility; every citizen is encouraged to possess a "soldier-like consciousness" and be prepared to support the nation.
The spirit of "Nation First," discipline, and patriotism is deemed essential for all Indians to realize the vision of "Viksit Bharat@2047."
The government has granted the defense forces a "free hand" to respond decisively to hostile threats.
Aatmanirbharta in Defence
India has transitioned from importing 65–70% of its defense equipment to manufacturing 65% indigenously.
Key indigenous platforms strengthening combat readiness include the INS Vikrant, Tejas aircraft, Prachand and Dhruv helicopters, Arjun tanks, and the Akash-Teer air defense control system.
The government remains committed to accelerating the production of next-generation fighter aircraft, submarines, and missiles on Indian soil.
Commemorative Initiatives
The "Virtual Walkthrough Portal" was inaugurated to provide public access to the history and legacy of the Kargil War.
The "Shaurya Vijay Yatra" motorcycle rally, which began at the National War Memorial on July 14, 2026, was successfully flagged-in at Dras.
Impact Analysis
Indian Defence ForcesImpact: Granted increased operational autonomy and equipped with a growing fleet of indigenously manufactured high-tech weaponry.
Action Required: Maintain constant vigilance at borders across all seasons and integrate new indigenous technologies to enhance operational efficiency.
Indian Citizens and YouthImpact: Called upon to move beyond personal success toward national duty and "soldier-like" mental and physical preparedness.
Action Required: Embrace the spirit of sacrifice and service exemplified by Kargil veterans to contribute to the nation’s strategic and social harmony.
Domestic Defence ManufacturersImpact: Beneficiaries of the government's push for "Aatmanirbharta," with a shift in procurement focus toward indigenous production.
Action Required: Accelerate the development and manufacturing of modern weapons, drones, counter-drone systems, and next-generation military hardware.
PakistanImpact: Subject to a hardened diplomatic stance where the state is held directly accountable for the actions of terrorist organizations.
Action Required: Cease promotion of terrorism and infiltration or face resolute, severe military responses from Indian forces.
Key Entities Referenced
Operation Sindoor: A military operation cited as definitive proof of India's capability and resolute response to cross-border terrorism and hostile actions.
Aatmanirbharta: A strategic initiative for self-reliance in defense production, aimed at maximizing the indigenous manufacturing of weapons and military technology.
Viksit Bharat@2047: A long-term national vision for 2047 that integrates economic prosperity with strategic military strength and social harmony.
PoK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir): The territory identified as the exclusive focus of any future diplomatic dialogue with Pakistan and asserted as an integral part of India.
Ministry of Defence: The primary government department responsible for national security, defense policy, and overseeing the modernization of the Indian Defence Forces.
Ministry of Defence
Op Sindoor is proof of India’s capability to
respond decisively to Pakistan’s every
misadventure: Raksha Mantri in Dras on 27th
Kargil Vijay Diwas
“Any talks with Pakistan would focus solely on PoK, an
integral part of India”
“India pursues progress & innovation, Pakistan promotes
terrorism & infiltration"
“Yeh Dil Maange More drives India’s push for Aatmanirbharta
in defence”
“Viksit Bharat@2047 extends beyond economic prosperity,
it’s a commitment to strategic strength, cultural pride & social
harmony”
प्रव तथ: 26 JUL 2026 12:25PM by PIB Delhi
“The success of Operation Sindoor is proof that India possesses the capability to respond to Pakistan’s
every misadventure with a severity far beyond its imagination,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh,
reiterating that there would be no talks with Pakistan, and any dialogue would focus solely on PoK, which,
he described, as an integral part of India illegally occupied by Pakistan. Addressing the 27th Kargil Vijay
Diwas celebrations in Dras on July 26, 2026, Raksha Mantri stated that every nefarious act against India’s
sovereignty would be met with the same resolute response that the Indian Defence Forces delivered to
terrorists and their patrons through Op Sindoor with unmatched bravery.Shri Rajnath Singh asserted that, in Pakistan, the distinction between the military and militants has
vanished, with the country making terrorism a part of its state policy. “Pakistan’s military not only shelters
terrorist organisations but also works with them. That is why, during Op Sindoor, we made it clear that
India no longer views terrorists and the governments that nurture them as separate entities,” he said.
Raksha Mantri added that 27 years have passed after the Kargil War, and the paths taken by India and
Pakistan have diverged sharply. “While India is exploring new avenues of innovation, Pakistan is seeking
new routes for infiltration. India is engaged in chip design, whereas Pakistan is busy designing terror.
India is building a start-up ecosystem, while Pakistan is constructing a terror ecosystem. India is
manufacturing semiconductors; Pakistan is preparing suicide bombers. India is recognised for space
missions, while Pakistan is running proxy missions. India is sending satellites into space, whereas Pakistan
focuses on sending terrorists across the border. India is providing software to the world, while Pakistan is
exporting sleeper cells. India is establishing data centers; Pakistan is setting up radicalisation centers.
India is connecting the world through UPI, while Pakistan is linking terrorism with hawala networks. In
short, our paths diverge; should Pakistan attempt to obstruct our path to prosperity with its nefarious
designs, our defence forces stand ready to deliver a befitting response,” he stated.
Shri Rajnath Singh asserted that the Central government possesses the political will to give the defence
forces a free hand to respond decisively to threats, exuding confidence that no adversary would dare cast a
hostile eye on India while its soldiers guard the nation's borders.
Raksha Mantri paid glowing tributes to India’s gallant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to defend the
motherland during the 1999 Kargil War. He remembered the countless bravehearts, including Param Vir
Chakra awardees Captain Vikram Batra and Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, who continue to inspire thenation, especially the youth. He termed Kargil Vijay Diwas as a day of inspiration for every young person
who seeks to understand the distinction between personal success and national duty. “This day teaches us
that the spirit of ‘sacrifice’ and ‘service’ forms the backbone of any nation,” he said.
Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted that the Kargil War Memorial reflected the entirety of India as the fallen
heroes represented every region of the country. “This wall of unity, despite diversities, stands tall against
those who wish to harm us,” he said.
Raksha Mantri emphasised that conflicts such as those in West Asia and between Russia & Ukraine have
not only tested the capabilities of defence forces but also the resilience, patience and resolve of nations.
He asserted that while India has a strong and capable military, safeguarding national security is a shared
responsibility of every citizen. Stressing the importance of the spirit of 'Nation First', discipline and a
sense of duty, he said every Indian should possess a soldier-like consciousness. “I am not suggesting that
every citizen must become a soldier, but should the nation ever face a situation requiring the direct or
indirect support of its people, every Indian must be mentally, morally and physically prepared to step
forward in defence of the country. Just as every soldier is first and foremost an Indian, the courage,
discipline and patriotism of a soldier must always remain alive within every Indian,” he added.
Shri Rajnath Singh underlined that the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 extends beyond economic
prosperity, describing it as a commitment to strategic strength, cultural pride and social harmony. He
stressed that this vision can be realised only by embracing the same dedication and sense of duty
exemplified by the heroes of the Kargil War in every sphere of nation-building.
Raksha Mantri highlighted that the Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi, is according highest priority to national security and the welfare of soldiers. “Kargil War has taught
us that we must remain ever-vigilant at our borders in every season and under all circumstances”, he said,
pointing out that border infrastructure is being continuously strengthened, with equal emphasis being laid
on modernising the military capabilities in sync with the changing times to enhance their operational
efficiency.
Drawing inspiration from Captain Vikram Batra’s iconic catchphrase ‘Yeh Dil Maange More’, Shri
Rajnath Singh asserted that rapid strides are being made to achieve Aatmanirbharta in defence production,
and the Government remains committed to accelerating the progress. “When our government assumed
office, India used to import 65 to 70 percent of defence equipment. Today, we’re manufacturing 65 percent
of our defence equipment on Indian soil. Today, our soldiers possess the indigenously developed airdefence control system ‘Akash-Teer’. We have developed the next-generation Akash missile. India's first
indigenous aircraft carrier ‘INS Vikrant’, Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’, Light Combat Helicopter
‘Prachand’, Advanced Light Helicopter ‘Dhruv’, Main Battle Tank ‘Arjun’, ‘Pinaka’ multi-barrel rocket
launcher, ‘Astra’ air-to-air missile, and modern drones & counter-drone systems are also strengthening the
combat readiness of the defence forces. But, 'Yeh Dil Maange More'. We will continue working to
manufacture even more modern weapons, next-generation fighter aircraft, submarines, and missiles right
in India,” he said.During the event, Raksha Mantri laid a wreath at the Cenotaph and observed silence in remembrance of
the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice during Operation Vijay in 1999. Lieutenant Governor of
Ladakh Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer
Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, GOC 14 Corps Lt Gen
Madanraj Pande and GOC 8 Mtn Div Maj Gen AP Singh also joined Shri Rajnath Singh in paying homage
to the Kargil War heroes. Senior military and civil dignitaries, Kargil War veterans, gallantry awardees,
Veer Naris, Next of Kin and local citizens also attended the ‘Shradhanjali Samaroh’.
Raksha Mantri signed the Visitors’ Book and witnessed ‘Gaurav Gatha’, presented by two Non-
Commissioned Officers, recounting the courage, determination and indomitable spirit displayed by Indian
soldiers during Operation Vijay. He also inaugurated the Virtual Walkthrough Portal, designed to provide
wider public access to the history and legacy of the Kargil War. He then visited the Hut of Remembrance,
and paid homage at Veer Bhoomi.Shri Rajnath Singh also interacted with dignitaries, soldiers and families over tea. He thereafter flagged-in
the ‘Shaurya Vijay Yatra’, a motorcycle rally organised as part of the Kargil Vijay Diwas
commemorations, which he had flagged off from the National War Memorial, New Delhi, on July 14,
2026.
As Raksha Mantri led the defence forces in celebrating Kargil Vijay Diwas in Dras, Raksha Rajya Mantri
Shri Sanjay Seth laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, New Delhi and paid homage to the fallen
heroes. Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP
Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar
Singh and Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen Sandeep Jain also paid homage to the bravehearts.****
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