Op Sindoor stands for humanity's fight against terror: President Murmu

Indian Express

21 hours ago

In her first detailed public remarks on Operation Sindoor, President Droupadi Murmu Thursday hailed the country's 'steely resolve' in responding to the Pahalgam terrorist attack and pointed to how the world has taken note of India's stance on fighting terror.
Addressing the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day, President Murmu said, 'I believe Operation Sindoor will go down in history as an example in humanity's fight against terrorism.'
In her 22-minute address, the President also dwelt at length on India's resilience amid stress in the global economy, and the contribution of farmers and workers towards the country's GDP growth. 'In the economic field, our achievements are all the more noticeable… With a GDP growth rate of 6.5 percent in the last fiscal, India is the fastest growing among the major economies in the world,' Murmu said.
'Even amid stress in the global economy, demand at home is pacing ahead. Inflation has remained under control. Exports are rising. All key indicators show the economy in the pink of health. This is as much due to carefully calibrated reforms and sagacious economic management as due to the hard work and dedication of our workers and farmers,' the President said.
These remarks come amidst a tense trade standoff between India and the US, with US President Donald Trump imposing tariffs of upto 50 per cent on India even as bilateral negotiations continue for a deal.
On Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam attack, the President said, 'This year we had to face the scourge of terrorism. Killing innocent citizens on holiday in Kashmir was cowardly and utterly inhuman. India responded in a decisive manner and with steely resolve. Operation Sindoor showed that our armed forces are prepared to meet any eventuality when it comes to guarding the nation… With strategic clarity and technical capability, they destroyed terrorist hubs across the border.'
The President also referred to the unity displayed in the wake of the attack, and the political messaging conveyed to the world through multi-party delegations. 'In our response, what was most noticeable was our unity, which is also the most befitting response to those who wanted to divide us. Our unity was on display also in the multi-party delegations of the Members of Parliament that reached out to various nations to explain India's position,' she said.
'The world has taken note of India's stance, that we will not be the aggressor, but we will not hesitate to retaliate in defence of our citizens,' she said.
President Murmu said Operation Sindoor was also a test case of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat mission in the defence sector. 'The outcome has proved that we are on the right path. Our indigenous manufacturing has achieved the critical level that makes us self-sufficient in meeting many of our security requirements. These are landmark achievements in India's defence history since Independence,' she said.
At a time when the Election Commission has come under attack from the Opposition, especially over the electoral list revision in Bihar, the President hailed India as 'a democracy with universal adult franchise'.
'We the people of India put the power to shape our destiny in the hands of each of us, without any restrictions of gender, religion and other factors that had barred many people from voting in other democracies. In spite of many challenges, the people of India made a successful transition to democracy,' Murmu said.
'When we adopted the Constitution, it provided the edifice of democracy. We built democratic institutions that strengthened the practice of democracy. We prize our Constitution and our democracy above everything else,' the President said.
'Our Constitution contains four values as the four pillars upholding our democracy – justice, liberty, equality and fraternity,' she noted, adding that 'everyone should have equal access to healthcare and education, and equal opportunity'.
'A large number of people have been pulled out of poverty through good governance. The government has been running a series of welfare initiatives for the poor and also for those who have risen above the poverty line but are still vulnerable, so that they do not fall below it again. This is reflected in the rising expenditure on social services. Income inequality is reducing. Regional disparities are also disappearing,' the President said.
'Our business leaders, small and medium industries and traders have always exhibited a can-do spirit; what was needed was removing the bottlenecks in the path of wealth creation,' she said. 'That is so visible when it comes to infrastructure development over the past decade.'
The President also made a special note of Government schemes such as strengthening of the National Highway network under the Bharatmala Pariyojana; and the inauguration of the rail link in Kashmir valley; enhancement of metro rail facilities, and the assured supply of water and a sewerage connection.
'The Government considers the basic amenities of life as rightful claims of the citizens. The Jal Jeevan Mission is making progress in providing tap water supply to rural households,' she said.
'In this Digital Age, it is apt that one sector in India that has seen the most dramatic advances is information technology. Nearly all villages have 4G mobile connectivity, and the remaining few thousands will be covered soon,' the President said.
'More than half of the total number of digital transactions in the world take place in India. These developments have created a vibrant digital economy whose contribution to the country's GDP is increasing year on year,' she said.
The all-round economic growth complemented by social sector initiatives has placed India well on the path of becoming a developed economy by 2047, the President said.