On Kargil Diwas, Rajnath Singh's sharp warning to Pakistan: ‘Response beyond imagination’

Referring to Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh said, It “showed what will be the fate of those who indulge in terrorism”. Defence minister Rajnath Singh, on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, issued a strong warning to Pakistan, saying that every "misadventure" by the neighbouring country would invite a response "beyond their imagination".Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh speaks during a commemorative event on the eve of 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas at Dras, in Ladakh on Saturday. (ANI)Addressing a gathering in Dras on Sunday, Singh also ruled out any dialogue with Pakistan except on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)."There will be no talks with Pakistan other than on PoK, a part of India that was illegally occupied," the defence minister said, reiterating the Centre's long-standing position on the issue.The minister said India is building data centres while Pakistan is creating "radical centres", drawing a sharp contrast between the two countries.Also Read | Kargil Diwas: The war was won, but India still needs to learn its hardest lessonReferring to Operation Sindoor, Singh said the operation had demonstrated the consequences for those who support or indulge in terrorism. "Operation Sindoor showed what will be the fate of those who indulge in terrorism," news agency PTI quoted him as saying.The defence minister's remarks came as the nation marked Kargil Vijay Diwas, commemorating India's victory in the 1999 Kargil War and paying tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives in the conflict.‘No shortage of political will’sRajnath Singh said India's armed forces have always had the capability to defend the country, but what was missing in the past was political will."It is not that our armed forces lacked capability in the past. They were powerful then as well. The only thing that was lacking was political will. From this platform, I want to assure you that there is no shortage of political will in the Central Government, nor will there be in the future...We know that as long as you are guarding our borders and protecting the nation, no one will have the courage to cast an evil eye on India," Singh said."The time has passed when those in Delhi did not prioritize the armed forces. Today, there is a government in Delhi that gives the armed forces the freedom to take decisive action in the interest of India's security," he added.Invoking the spirit of the Kargil War, Rajnath Singh recalled Captain Vikram Batra's iconic slogan "Yeh Dil Maange More", saying it reflected the resolve and courage of Indian soldiers. "Captain Vikram Batra said, 'Yeh Dil Maange More'. That is the nature of our soldiers. The whole world should understand this, and our neighbour should also understand this," the defence minister said.Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More