New Delhi, Sep 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the 2016 surgical strikes were India’s decisive response to the pain of terror attacks and presented a new example of the country’s counter-terrorism policy.

Asserting that India follows a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism, he said in his monthly broadcast Mann Ki Baat that the country has made it clear that terrorism will be dealt with strongly and decisively.

He said over the past decade — from the Balakot air strike to Operation Sindoor — India has repeatedly sent a clear message that if terrorists dare to cast an evil eye on the country, they will be met with a befitting response.

Referring to the 2016 surgical strikes, Modi said the world was astonished to see the manner in which India’s brave soldiers crossed the Line of Control (LoC) to take action against terrorism.

“A major historic achievement of India is set to mark its 10th anniversary in just a day – this achievement is the surgical strikes. Ten years ago, on September 28-29, 2016, the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan,” he said.

The prime minister said the surgical strikes were the country’s decisive response to the long-standing pain India had endured due to terrorist attacks.

“The surgical strike boldly demonstrated to the entire world a new example of India’s counter-terrorism policy,” he said.

The surgical strikes were carried out by Indian forces on terror camps across the LoC after terrorists attacked an army camp at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir, leaving 18 soldiers dead.

Modi said India has long suffered wounds inflicted by terrorist attacks and recalled that there was a time when serial blasts had become a common occurrence in the country.

He said it was in this very month of September, specifically on September 13, 2008, that many innocent lives were lost in the serial blasts in Delhi.

“Just a few weeks later, the massive 26/11 attack took place in Mumbai. In the past too, there used to be demands for action against Pakistan following every terror attack, but such calls were often not given due attention; time to pass by was simply awaited,” he said.

The prime minister asserted that India pursues a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, and everyone is witnessing the results of that.

Modi’s reference to Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism comes two days after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif used the UN General Assembly podium to rake up the Kashmir issue in his address at the world organisation.

Sharif raised the Kashmir issue, saying to ensure South Asia never reaches that precipice of the conflict of 2025 again, a just and fair solution to the Kashmir issue is required.

India has repeatedly rejected Pakistan’s assertions on Kashmir made at the UNGA forum as well as on other UN platforms, saying Jammu and Kashmir has been, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.

India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 last year, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam attack that had killed 26 civilians.

In his radio broadcast, the prime minister noted that this year also marks 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks and among the innocent lives lost at the World Trade Centre in the US, the highest number of victims, after Americans, were Indians.

“I recall that after becoming prime minister in 2014, when I visited the US, I had reached New York to pay homage to those innocent citizens. Today, once again, I extend my condolences to the bereaved families on behalf of crores of Indian citizens,” he said.

In his address, the prime minister also touched upon the fight against drugs and said millions of young people across the country have recently taken a significant resolve against substance abuse and drugs.

He said the youth have vowed to stay away from drugs themselves and have also taken up the responsibility of spreading this message to others – all under the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan’.

The prime minister said there is one aspect of this campaign – the youth are propagating the message against drugs in their own language and in their own way.

“I had urged young people in Mann Ki Baat as well, to join this campaign using their creativity, and I am delighted that thousands of youth have stepped forward in response to this call,” he said.

Paying tributes to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal, Modi said there are many aspects about Singhal that do not receive much attention.

“Alongside the Ram Mandir movement, he also waged a major battle against social discrimination and inequality. Today, on the occasion of his birth centenary, I bow to him on behalf of his millions of admirers. I offer my heartfelt tribute, on my part,” he said.

Talking about the “Somnath Swabhiman Parv”, the prime minister said a thousand years ago, in 1026, Mahmud of Ghazni had demolished the Somnath temple for the first time.

However, those who came to destroy Somnath and erase India’s identity have no existence at all today, whereas the Somnath temple stands in all its grandeur by the vast sea, bestowing the blessing of immortality upon India, he noted.

“That is why we celebrated the ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’ this year with immense pride,” he said.

Referring to the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, Modi said he gave many people the guiding principles for life and cleanliness is one of them.

“We often see numerous efforts related to cleanliness around us. These efforts are very inspiring and uplifting. Such photos, videos, and reels frequently catch our attention on social media as well,” he said.

The prime minister said he has witnessed many such initiatives recently and at a place in Madhya Pradesh, young people are working to clean up a river and the entire community is joining in their small effort.

Similarly, Modi said in Andhra Pradesh, the youth are cleaning up old stepwells and wells, thereby helping to restore ancient heritage.

In Mumbai, he said, some young people are taking an initiative to keep beaches clean; every week, hundreds of young friends gather at one beach or the other to serve through cleanliness drives… Swachhata Se Sewa.

“Here in Delhi, children and the youth are raising awareness about segregating waste and maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings. In West Bengal, young students are collaborating with locals to clean up market areas at picnic spots,” he said.

New Delhi, Sep 27: “India believes in peace and does not seek to occupy the territory of any country. However, peace should not be mistaken for weakness. We seek global stability, but not at the cost of our strategic autonomy. We are firmly committed to safeguarding our security and strategic autonomy when threatened,” Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh said today while addressing a Defence Conclave in New Delhi.

Raksha Mantri underlined that there can be no scope for dialogue with any country that promotes terrorism against India. “Countries that use terrorism as an instrument of state policy or provide shelter and support to terrorists must be firmly reminded that terrorism cannot be a strategic asset for any nation. He asserted that as long as a neighbouring country continues to pursue a policy of supporting terrorism, India remains fully entitled to take all necessary measures against terrorism”, he said, referring to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s remarks at the recent SCO meeting.

Emphasising national unity as a key pillar of national security, the Raksha Mantri stated that the security of the country is not solely the responsibility of the armed forces but a collective responsibility of every citizen. He urged citizens to rise above divisions based on religion, caste, creed, language, region and other identities, and to place national interest above personal and narrow interests.

Shri Rajnath Singh described India as a civilizational power whose rise is based on inclusive development rather than confrontation or disruption. He outlined three foundations of India’s approach: its long democratic and civilizational traditions, the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and the vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, and five strategic pillars—respect, dialogue, prosperity, security and culture.

Focusing on the Global South, Raksha Mantri highlighted India’s growing role as a trusted partner and ‘Vishwa Bandhu’. He noted that under Vaccine Maitri, India supplied more than 30 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses to over 100 countries and has supported developing nations through medicines, digital payment solutions, expertise and resources. He also highlighted initiatives such as the Voice of Global South Summits to advance the interests of developing countries. Emphasising responsible use of power, he called for cooperation even amid competition and inclusive participation in global development.

Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s significant progress towards self-reliance in defence, noting that the country is developing indigenous capabilities ranging from aircraft and drone engines to fifth- and sixth-generation fighter jets. India’s defence exports have grown from just ₹686 crore in 2013–14 to a record ₹38,424 crore in 2025–26, reaching more than 100 countries. After achieving the ₹30,000-crore export target last year, India has now set a target of ₹50,000 crore by 2029.

He emphasised that growing international demand for Indian missiles, radars, ammunition and defence platforms reflects global confidence in India’s technology, quality and delivery capabilities. Consequently, “Made in India” is increasingly emerging not merely as a manufacturing label, but as a symbol of trust in Indian defence capabilities.

Raksha Mantri highlighted the significant increase in defence allocation, which has reached ₹7.85 lakh crore in 2026-27, compared to around ₹2.53 lakh crore in 2013-14. He noted that around 75% of the capital acquisition budget, amounting to ₹1.39 lakh crore, has been earmarked for procurement from the domestic defence industry, thereby strengthening indigenous manufacturing and associated MSME supply chains.

Shri Rajnath Singh stated that the nature of warfare is rapidly changing, with modern conflicts extending beyond conventional domains to cyber, space, electronic and information warfare, alongside emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, drones, autonomous systems, quantum technology and hypersonic systems. He underlined the need for India to develop future-ready capabilities across these domains.

Highlighting India’s efforts to address strategic vulnerabilities in areas such as technology, energy, data and supply chains, the Raksha Mantri said that initiatives are underway to strengthen domestic capabilities in semiconductors and critical minerals, diversify energy sources and enhance energy security.

Emphasising the importance of self-reliance, the Raksha Mantri stated that 509 defence equipment, weapon systems and platforms have been included in five positive indigenisation lists issued by the Armed Forces. DPSUs have also released six indigenisation lists covering 5,417 items, including strategically important LRUs, subsystems, spares and components, of which around 3,300 have been indigenised.

He highlighted the growing participation of the private sector, startups and MSMEs in defence manufacturing. India’s defence ecosystem now includes DPSUs, private industries, more than 16,000 MSMEs, startups, universities and research institutions, with defence manufacturing capabilities emerging across several regions of the country. Investment proposals of about ₹70,000 crore have been received in the Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridors, with around ₹10,000 crore already invested.

Raksha Mantri also highlighted the role of the SRIJAN and SRIJAN DEEP portals in strengthening indigenous defence supply chains. He stated that around 33,000 imported items have been identified for import substitution through SRIJAN, of which approximately 15,700 have been indigenised. SRIJAN DEEP has created a national digital database covering more than 40,000 manufacturers and sellers and lakhs of products.

Shri Rajnath Singh underlined the transformation of the DPSU and Ordnance Factory ecosystem, noting that corporatisation of the Ordnance Factories has enhanced their technology orientation, output and accountability. He stated that all 16 DPSUs are currently operating without losses and are increasing their focus on research, development and exports.

Highlighting the role of youth and innovation, he said that iDEX and iDEX-Prime are providing opportunities for startups and innovators to contribute to national security, while programmes such as ADITI are supporting advanced defence technologies. As of March 2026, 676 startups and innovators had been engaged through iDEX and 551 contracts signed. The Ministry has also approved procurement worth more than ₹2,400 crore from startups/MSMEs and development projects worth over ₹1,500 crore.

A significant announcement was the decision to transfer DRDO-developed technologies for conventional missile systems to eligible Indian industries, enabling qualifying private companies to undertake production. Shri Rajnath Singh said the move would strengthen the preparedness of the Armed Forces and facilitate timely delivery of missiles. He added that DRDO is increasingly being positioned to focus on research and development while industry assumes a greater role in production.

Raksha Mantri concluded that India’s objective is to build indigenous capabilities across the entire defence spectrum—from individual components to complete weapon systems—and to develop technologies domestically rather than remain dependent on imports. He stressed that this approach is aimed at strengthening strategic autonomy, defence preparedness and a resilient indigenous defence-industrial ecosystem.