Op Sindoor will go down as humanity’s fight against terrorism, says Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday lauded Operation Sindoor as historic, saying it was a test case of India’s self-reliance in defence and that it would go down in history as an example of humanity’s fight against terrorism.

Addressing the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day, Murmu termed the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack as utterly inhumane and cowardly, flagging the Indian military response as decisive and steely. She also hailed national unity displayed in the aftermath of the attack as the “most befitting response to the enemy”.

“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. Operation Sindoor will go down in history as an example in humanity’s fight against terrorism,” Murmu said.

Noting the new national war doctrine, Murmu said the world had taken note of India’s stance that we would not be the aggressor but would not hesitate to retaliate in defence of our citizens.

“Operation Sindoor was a test case of the Atmanirbhar 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,” said the President, in her first remarks on Operation Sindoor where she also noted the unity multi-party MP delegations displayed in presenting India’s position across the globe.

Amid the ongoing trade war with the US, the President spoke of India as the fastest growing major economy in the world and noted a growing self-reliance of the country across sectors.

“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.”

The President added that even amid stress in the global economy, the demand at home was pacing ahead and inflation had 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,” she said.

In important comments, she praised wealth creators, saying “business leaders, small and medium industries and traders have always exhibited a can-do spirit”.

Murmu equally hailed Indians for cherishing democracy.

At a time when the Opposition is ranged against the Election Commission for alleged voter theft, Murmu said India was rightly acknowledged as the mother of democracy and had built democratic institutions that strengthened the practice of democracy.

“We prize our Constitution and our democracy above everything else,” she said, urging citizens to root out “corruption and hypocrisy” in line with the vision of Mahatma Gandhi, whom she quoted in her address.