Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday issued a stern warning of decisive action to India’s “neighbor” if it takes any “misadventure” amid the current global situation due to the war with Iran.
The February 28 US-Israeli strikes on Iran sparked a retaliatory response by the Iranians that led to an all-out war in the Middle East. Follow Iran War updates on April 2 here
“Our neighbour, in the current situation, can commit any misadventure. If it does so, India’s move will be unprecedented and decisive,” Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said, without naming him, adding that Operation Sindoor is not over yet.
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Speaking at the Sainik Samman Sammelan in Kerala, Singh said Indian Navy ships were safely escorting Indian oil tankers through the choked Strait of Hormuz.
Rajnath Singh’s comments appeared to be referring to Pakistan, against which India launched military strikes with Operation Sindoor in May last year in response to a deadly terror attack that took place a month ago in the Pahalgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Rajnath Singh dismissed rumors about a fuel crisis in the country and said in his speech: “…Some people want to create panic by spreading lies about this conflict in West Asia. There is no shortage of petrol and diesel in the country, no shortage of gas. India is ready to deal with any energy crisis.”
He criticized the opposition for engaging in petty politics “instead of standing with the country during this crisis.”
He also said, “Today we are all going through a phase of big changes. There is a big conflict going on in West Asia. Many people from Kerala live and work in these countries, but we should not worry at all as we will not lag behind in taking any steps for the protection and security of our Indian citizens. We are fully prepared for it.”
Sindor process
India launched Operation Sindoor military strikes against Pakistan on May 7 last year in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which terrorists found to have links with Pakistan killed several civilians.
“The way terrorists targeted people on the basis of religion in Pahalgam… the attack was not just on India, but on the social unity and social fabric of the country,” Rajnath Singh said on Thursday at the event.
Under Operation Sindoor, India targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Operation Sindoor strikes led to a four-day military conflict after Pakistan launched drones and missiles towards India.
