By The Sampadak Express
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday expressed gratitude to the Indian armed forces for delivering a “befitting reply” to Pakistan through Operation Sindoor, following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, which claimed 26 lives. Speaking virtually at the inauguration of the BrahMos missile manufacturing complex in Lucknow, Singh reaffirmed India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.“
Through Operation Sindoor, India has sent a clear message of its resolve to respond decisively to terrorism,” Singh said. “Whether it was the Uri surgical strike, the Balakot air strike, or now this latest response, India has shown it is capable of defending its sovereignty.”
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, saw the Indian Air Force conduct targeted strikes on nine locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Pakistan’s Punjab province. This marks yet another assertive step in India’s evolving counter-terrorism strategy.
During his address, Singh also highlighted India’s strides in defence manufacturing, noting the growing significance of the BrahMos missile production facility in Lucknow. Built on 80 acres of land provided free of cost by the Uttar Pradesh government, the facility was completed in just 40 months at a cost of ₹300 crore. It will manufacture the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile, BrahMos a joint India-Russia project with a range of 290 to 400 km and a top speed of Mach 2.8. The missile can be launched from land, sea, or air and uses a ‘fire and forget’ system for pinpoint accuracy.
The BrahMos unit is a major component of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, launched in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The corridor spans six strategic nodes Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Aligarh, Agra, and Chitrakoot and is managed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA). So far, ₹4,000 crore worth of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed under the project.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s transformation from a ‘Bimaru’ (sick) state to a revenue surplus and infrastructure rich state. “Today, we have the largest network of expressways, metro systems, and airports in the country. Four international airports are already operational, and Asia’s largest Noida International Airport will be launched soon,” he said.
Singh concluded by noting the historical significance of the day. “It is symbolic that we inaugurate the BrahMos facility on May 11, the day India carried out its nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998. This reflects our commitment to national security and self-reliance in defence.”
Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, along with Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’ and senior officials, were present at the ceremony.
