New Delhi, Oct 22: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday hailed Operation Sindoor as a remarkable example of tri-service coordination and military synergy, describing it as a reflection of India’s growing strategic maturity and defence preparedness.
Speaking at the launch of the book “Civil-Military Fusion as a Metric of National Power & Comprehensive Security” in New Delhi, he said the operation reaffirmed the government’s resolve to devise coordinated, adaptive, and preemptive strategies to deal with emerging global and regional challenges.
He said the operation showcased extraordinary jointness among the Army, Navy, and Air Force, proving that modern warfare requires deep integration across services. “Operation Sindoor reaffirmed the Government’s resolve of devising coordinated, adaptive, and preemptive defence strategies to tackle challenges arising from the changing world order and evolving methods of warfare,” he noted.
Emphasising the changing nature of modern conflicts, Singh said that wars are no longer confined to borders but have assumed hybrid and asymmetrical forms. He credited the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for introducing decisive reforms to make India’s Armed Forces future-ready, ensuring both national security and strategic autonomy.
Highlighting the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as a historic reform, Singh said it strengthened coordination and synergy among the three Services. “The entire world witnessed the result of jointness and integration during Operation Sindoor. Pakistan is still recuperating from the severe blow dealt by our Armed Forces,” he remarked.
The book authored by Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd) underscores the concept of civil-military fusion as a driving force behind national power. Singh said the idea must be seen not just as administrative integration but as a strategic enabler that fuels innovation, nurtures talent, and propels technological self-reliance. “This fusion is possible only when we connect our civil industry, private sector, academia, and defence sector for a common national purpose. It enhances both economic productivity and strategic capability,” he asserted.
He further stated that the world is transitioning from a “division of labour” to an “integration of purpose,” urging both civil and military institutions to operate with a shared vision. “Our Prime Minister has always emphasised that no administration can work in silos—it must collaborate and complement one another,” Singh said.
Underlining the significance of technology in national defence, the Minister called for leveraging civilian innovations for military use under the dual-use concept to strengthen India’s strategic power. “In today’s world, civil and military domains are converging rapidly. Technology, economy, and national security are more interlinked than ever. Ignoring civil-military fusion is not good for strategic growth,” he warned.
Rajnath Singh also highlighted the government’s achievements in transforming India’s defence ecosystem. He said that India, once a major defence importer, is now emerging as a global manufacturing hub. “Due to our consistent efforts, domestic production, which stood at Rs 46,000 crore a decade ago, has now reached Rs 1.51 lakh crore, with around Rs 33,000 crore contributed by the private sector,” he added.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Director General of the United Service Institution of India Major General BK Sharma (Retd), senior civil and military officials, and veterans were also present at the event.
Rajnath Singh reiterated that India’s military preparedness is not aimed at aggression but deterrence. “Our goal is peace through strength. We believe in the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, but we will never compromise on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation,” he affirmed.
He added that India’s growing defence partnerships with friendly countries reflect New Delhi’s commitment to collective security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. In this context, he said, civil-military fusion will play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration between government institutions, research bodies, and private enterprises to boost innovation and strengthen strategic autonomy.
Defence sources said several initiatives are already underway to promote civil-military interface, including defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, as well as increased participation of start-ups in research and development. The government’s focus on emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cyber defence, and space security—has further strengthened India’s preparedness for future warfare.
The Defence Minister concluded by urging all stakeholders to work in harmony towards the goal of a secure, self-reliant, and technologically advanced India. He lauded the contributions of soldiers, scientists, and industrial partners for their relentless efforts in ensuring that India continues to march confidently toward becoming a global defence powerhouse.
