NEW DELHI: “To view national security solely in terms of safeguarding geographical boundaries amounts to ‘Perimeter Fallacy’,” said Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh as he reaffirmed Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government’s commitment to further bolster the country’s defence preparedness and equip the military for emerging & future challenges.
Addressing a defence conclave in New Delhi on September 24, 2026, he emphasised that modern-day challenges encompass the use of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, cyber-attacks, lone wolf attacks, and disinformation campaigns, in addition to the utilisation of arms and artillery by adversaries. He added that national security is linked to economic & energy security, and hostile actors may attempt to harm the economy or disrupt energy supply chains. “We’ve adopted a holistic approach to tackle these highly fluid threats,” he said.
Raksha Mantri stressed that the concepts of strength and peace, which were never seen as contradictory in Indian tradition, were viewed as mutually exclusive alternatives by some leaders after independence. He noted that several wars imposed upon India were a lesson that security policy cannot be formulated based on wishful thinking; it requires taking into account ground realities and national interests.
He pointed out that some leaders had operated under the assumption that just like India, everyone else bats for peace, underlining that this mindset has changed under PM Modi’s leadership.
“We’ve made it clear that the nation possesses both ‘power of argument’ and ‘argument of power’, and we will communicate through whichever language the other party understands best. Today, while we work towards establishing global peace through diplomacy, we are simultaneously strengthening our defence and strategic capabilities to counter any potential threat.
Events such as Surgical Strikes, Balakot air strike, and Operation Sindoor demonstrated that we possess the necessary capability and resolve to safeguard our national interests… India is a peace-loving nation that has never advocated for war. Yet, we must always remain prepared to safeguard our integrity & sovereignty, and protect our citizens,” stated Shri Rajnath Singh.
Raksha Mantri highlighted that military preparedness without diplomacy can lead to confrontation and a security dilemma, whereas proceeding solely on the basis of diplomacy, without requisite capability, is perceived as a sign of weakness and is detrimental to national security. He termed a balance between the two aspects as essential.
Rajnath Singh enumerated the efforts taken by the Government to ensure strategic autonomy and national security while advancing towards the goal of Aatmanirbharta in defence. “Through QUAD, we’re working towards a free, open, and rule-based Indo-Pacific. Through I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA), we’ve advanced cooperation in new areas. Our active participation in multilateral organisations such as BIMSTEC, BRICS, and SCO has also increased. We’ve strengthened strategic partnerships, created new platforms for cooperation, and expanded diplomatic reach on the global stage,” he explained.
Through actions like ‘Operation Sindoor’, Raksha Mantri said the Government has made it clear that India no longer tolerates nuclear blackmail. He emphasised that terrorism and talks cannot go hand in hand; nor can terrorism and trade coexist. “We’ve also conveyed the message that no border can prevent us from dismantling terrorist infrastructure. No distinction will be made between terrorists and their sponsors. By suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, we’ve made it clear that blood and water cannot flow together. Our approach has now evolved beyond ‘strategic containment’ and ‘deterrence by denial’ towards ‘deterrence by punishment’,” he added.
Rajnath Singh stated that India articulated its new policy against terrorism through Op Sindoor. “Any terror attack originating from Pakistani soil will be considered an ‘Act of War’ against India. Those contemplating any form of misadventure will be met with a response they deserve,” he said.
Raksha Mantri underlined that the physical power of any state rests on two pillars, a robust economy and a strong military. “When the economy is strong, more resources become available for national security and defence preparedness. Only when a nation is secure do the conditions become favourable for advancing development initiatives. National security and national development complement each other,” he said.
