President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said while India seeks peace, it is also prepared to protect its borders and citizens with strength and conviction, and described the recent success of ‘Operation Sindoor’ as a defining moment in the nation’s counter-terror and deterrence strategy.
Addressing the Chankya Defence Dialogue 2025 here, President Murmu lauded the defence reforms, saying these will make the Army future-ready and mission-capable and help the nation become self-reliant.
The president exuded confidence that the Indian armed forces will continue to strive for excellence and move ahead with resolve and determination “to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047”.
“I am happy to note that the Army is transforming itself through quantifiable deliverables under the Decade of Transformation. It is reforming structures, re-orienting doctrines and redefining capabilities to be future-ready and mission-capable across all domains. I am confident that these defence reforms will help in making India self-reliant,” she said.
Referring to the nation’s civilisational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (entire world is a family), the president said, “We have shown that strategic autonomy can coexist with global responsibility.
“Our diplomacy, our economy and our armed forces together project an India that seeks peace, but is prepared to protect its borders and its citizens with strength and conviction,” she said.
Praising the Indian Armed Forces for exemplifying “professionalism and patriotism” in protecting the country’s sovereignty, she said, “During every security challenge, whether conventional, counter-insurgency or humanitarian, our forces have displayed remarkable adaptability and resolve”.
“The recent success of Operation Sindoor stands as a defining moment in our counter-terror and deterrence strategy. The world took note not only of India’s military capability but of India’s moral clarity to act firmly, yet responsibly in the pursuit of peace,” Murmu said.
She noted that beyond its operational role, the Indian defence forces remain a pillar of national development. “Apart from strengthening our frontiers, they have also helped in border area development through infrastructure, connectivity, tourism and education,” said the President.
Turning to the current rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, she said the international system is being rewritten by contesting power centres, technological disruptions and shifting alliances. “New domains of competition – cyber, space, information and cognitive warfare are blurring the lines between peace and conflict,” she remarked.
President Murmu expressed her happiness over the Army investing in youth and human capital.
“It is instilling patriotism in youth through education, NCC expansion and sports. The expansion of the contribution of young women officers and soldiers, both in role and character, would promote the spirit of inclusion. It will also inspire more young women to join Indian Army and take up other professions,” she added.
