Government Sent the Right Message to World Through Operation Sindoor: Vice-President Dhankhar
PUDUCHERRY — Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday said that the Indian government sent a powerful and appropriate message to the world through Operation Sindoor: that India is a peace-loving nation, but one that will not hesitate to retaliate against terrorism with strength and precision.
Speaking at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry, Mr. Dhankhar reminded students and faculty that Operation Sindoor was not merely a military retaliation — it was a strategic diplomatic message of balance, restraint, and sovereignty.
“By ending the retaliatory strike after destroying the terror camps, the country could also send a message that it was not interested in engaging in a war,” he emphasized.
His remarks come just weeks after India's calculated aerial and missile strikes inside Pakistan territory under Operation Sindoor — a response to the brutal Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir that claimed 26 lives, including women and children. India’s response had received praise for being “surgical, restrained, and purposeful,” while also avoiding a full-scale escalation.
“Nationalism Must Remain the Guiding Principle”
The Vice-President, delivering a thought-provoking address to the academic community, stressed that national progress is rooted in peace — and peace, in turn, depends on preparedness.
“Peace comes with a position of strength. The best guarantee to peace is to be ever prepared for war,” Dhankhar said.
He also made a passionate appeal to political leaders across party lines: national security and nationalism should never be up for political debate or partisanship.
“Issues of nationalism and national security are beyond political parties and interests. I am happy to note that the Prime Minister’s decision to send a multiparty delegation has evoked the right kind of response,” he added, referring to India’s bipartisan diplomatic outreach after Operation Sindoor.
Operation Sindoor: A Message of Controlled Strength
Referring to the emotional aftermath of the terror attack, the Vice-President recalled, “About two months back, all of us were concerned, worried and traumatized. The world’s most peace-loving nation, a nation that has never engaged in expansionism, was attacked by terrorists. The Prime Minister pledged to the nation to avenge the terror attack — and our armed forces hit Pakistan deep.”
Dhankhar praised the operation as "calibrated, precise and calculated," aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier messaging that “India seeks peace, not provocation,” but will never tolerate terrorism on its soil.
Political Unity on National Issues: A Call to Action
The Vice-President used the platform to reiterate a long-standing demand — that political parties must come together on matters of national importance. He stressed that on subjects like national security, terrorism, and foreign policy, a united Indian political front is not just desirable but necessary.
“I appeal to everyone, particularly those in the political class, to rise above political interests when it comes to matters of nationalism and security,” he urged.
Presence of Local Leadership
The event was also attended by Puducherry Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan and Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, who echoed similar sentiments about the importance of national security and youth participation in nation-building.
Conclusion: Operation Sindoor Is Not Just a Military Move, But a Diplomatic Doctrine
Vice-President Dhankhar’s address makes it clear that Operation Sindoor is being positioned as more than a counterterrorism operation. It’s a strategic doctrine — one that signals India’s shift towards proactive, pre-emptive, and precision-based defense policy. His remarks reinforce the idea that India is reclaiming its space on the world stage, not just as a growing economic power, but as a sovereign nation with zero tolerance for terror and a balanced approach to warfare and diplomacy.