Operation Sindoor showed the world India's uncompromising policy against terrorism: PM
Operation Sindoor clearly demonstrated India's firm and uncompromising policy against terrorism on the global stage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday (June 24, 2025), affirming that no shelter was safe for terrorists who spilt the blood of Indian citizens.
'Today's India takes decisions based solely on what is right for national interest,' Mr. Modi said, adding that India's dependence on foreign nations for military needs is steadily decreasing as the country is becoming self-reliant in the defence sector.
The Prime Minister noted that this shift was evident during Operation Sindoor, where the armed forces compelled the 'enemy to surrender within 22 minutes using domestically manufactured weapons'. In the days ahead, 'Made-in-India' weapons will earn global recognition and acclaim, he added.
Historic conversation
He was speaking at an event marking the centenary celebration of the conversation between Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi at Sivagiri Mutt in Kerala's Varkala on March 12, 1925. The meeting 'remains inspirational and relevant even today, and serves as a powerful source of energy for social harmony and for collective goals of a developed India,' Mr. Modi said. 'The ideals of Sree Narayana Guru are a great asset to all of humanity,' he added.
He said that Sree Narayana Guru was undeterred by opposition and unafraid of challenges, and his conviction lay in harmony and equality, with a staunch belief in truth, service, and goodwill. It was the inspiration behind the government's path of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', and its commitment to 'build an India where the person standing at the last mile is our highest priority', he said.
Mr. Modi said he had always been blessed with the affection of the revered saints of Sivagiri Math. Noting his connection with Kashi, he said that Varkala had long been referred to as the Kashi of the South.
Freedom from discrimination
He noted that the core subjects of Sree Narayana Guru were yoga, Vedanta, spiritual practice, and liberation. Sree Narayana Guru understood that the spiritual upliftment of a society trapped in social evils could only be achieved through its social advancement, Mr. Modi said. His mantra — 'Oru Jati, Oru Matham, Oru Daivam, Manushyanum [One caste, one religion, one God for mankind]' — reflected the unity of all humanity and all living beings, a philosophy that formed the foundation of India's civilisational ethos, he added.
'Sree Narayana Guru envisioned a society free from discrimination, Today, the country is eliminating every possibility of discrimination by following a saturation approach,' the Prime Minister said, highlighting his government's welfare programmes to benefit millions of poor people, Dalits, tribals, and women.
Mr. Modi said that Sree Narayana Guru had emphasised 'enlightenment through education, strength through organisation, and prosperity through industry', and laid the foundation of key institutions to realise this agenda. 'The vision of social welfare through education, organisation, and industrial progress is clearly reflected in the country's current policies and decisions,' he said.
'Sree Narayana Guru envisioned a strong and empowered India, and to realise this vision, India must remain at the forefront across economic, social, and military domains', he said, stressing the importance of taking the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru to every citizen.
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Hindustan Times
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ECI to begin special intensive revision of electoral roll in Bihar
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Mint
an hour ago
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India on track to make Chabahar preferred port of call in Iran for trade with Central Asian nations, says shipping secy
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But rising tensions in West Asia and the Persian Gulf region pose threat to this port that is close to Strait of Hormuz, a famous chokepoint. In recent days the threat of Iran closing off the Strait of Hormuz has loomed large. A closure would have made shipments in and out of Persian Gulf difficult and spiked oil prices. Chabahar, is away from the Strait of Hormuz and has a vast opening towards the Arabian Sea. This makes the port not only strategically important for India but also one that supports uninterrupted shipments even during times of tension in West Asia. India's focus on projects in Iran also assumes importance in wake of worsening India-Pakistan ties following the April terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam. 'Indian and Iranian authorities are working to provide rail connectivity to the port and the infrastructure should be available soon," Ramachandran said. As per the plan, India along with Iran would fast-track the development of a new rail route between the Chabahar port and Zahedan city. This could turn the port into the gateway to the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), providing the main trade channel for Central Asian and Eurasian countries located on the eastern side of the Caspian sea and Afghanistan. The rail line is expected to be ready by 2026-end or early 2027. Also read | India to fast-track Chabahar port works The rush for rail connectivity is because port operations have now become viable with a pick-up in movement of both container and dry bulk cargo as Chabahar becomes the main trading channel for India. Chabahar, as per the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways (MoPSW), handled a substantial volume of cargo in FY25, reaching up to 80,000 TEUs and 3 million tonnes of bulk cargo. In comparison, it had managed just over 64,000 TEUs in FY24 and only around 9,000 TEUs the year before that. The port handled 2.12mt of bulk cargo in FY24 and 2.08 mt in FY23. A TEU is a measure of volume in units of twenty-foot long containers. The port has a current capacity of 100,000 TEUs which will rise to 500,000 TEUs over the next few years The bulk cargo capacity of 8mt will be more than doubled soon. Work on the 700-km long Chabahar-Zahedan railway line has moved very slowly even though an MoU was signed between Indian Railways' IRCON and Iranian Railways' Construction and Development of Transportation Infrastructures Company (CDTIC) back in 2016. Now, it is getting implemented as Chabahar is emerging as next big commercial port in Iran after Bandar Abbas. Taking shape Things began to take shape when India and Iran in May last year signed a long-term contract for the development of Chabahar port after years of protracted negotiations. IPGL (India Ports Global Ltd) has taken over operations of Shahid Beheshti terminals at Chabahar. The facility. which comprises a container terminal and a multi-cargo berth, is operational and providing services for bulk and container cargo. A number of schemes are being offered by IPGL to promote the use of Chabahar port including, discounts, longer free storage times for cargo etc. The port has a deep draft that can handle larger vessels. Besides, ships calling at Chabahar avoid traffic congestion and waiting time at anchorage, being outside the Strait of Hormuz. The road to Zahedan (Iran) and onwards to Zaranj (Afghanistan) also provides seamless connectivity for movement of humanitarian aid from India to Afghanistan through Chabahar port. The Port handles a diverse range of products such as automobile spare parts, agricultural products, iron ore, clinkers etc. and efforts are on to increase the product basket handled at the port. Also read | After Chabahar, India looks to build port facilities in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka The port's integration with a special free zone is another positive, while Indian incentives, such as concessions on vessel and cargo charges, bolster trade flows through Chabahar. In 2003, India agreed to help Iran develop the port as well as accompanying infrastructure links during then President Mohammad Khatami's visit to India. However, matters progressed slowly thereafter amid western sanctions. In 2013, India committed to providing $100 million for the development of Chabahar. An MoU) was signed in May 2015. Thereafter things appeared to be moving forward during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Iran in 2016. But Indian plans to help develop an international trade corridor, which included Chabahar as a central transit point, stalled again due to the reimposition of western sanctions against Iran for its nuclear programme. Enhancing regional connectivity This present agreement aims to enhance regional connectivity and facilitate trade, particularly between India, Iran and Afghanistan. The India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ), a subsidiary of IPGL, facilitated the first consignment of exports from Afghanistan to India in 2019. The operations continued through short-term contracts while negotiations on a long-term agreement picked pace with the visit of MoPSW minister Sarbananda Sonowal to Chabahar in August, 2022. Also read | India, Iran may restart rail connectivity project between Chabahar and Zahedan Negotiations on the long-term contract were held up over disagreements on arbitration clauses. Mint had earlier reported that the two sides have reached an accommodation which will allow arbitration under rules framed by the UN Commission on International Trade Law. India is looking to strengthen its presence in key infrastructure along the route passing through the Persian Gulf region. The Adani Group is already operating the Haifa port in Israel and more port deals are expected in the region by Indian entities that will strengthen the country's presence on this strategic route that is the main gateway for shipments moving from the India to Europe.
