Op Sindoor showcases India’s indigenous military strength: Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, Aug 10: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday declared that Operation Sindoor had sent a “loud and clear” message that India will not tolerate any assault on its sovereignty, describing it as a decisive and indigenous response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone for BEML’s new BRAHMA (BEML Rail Hub for Manufacturing) facility in Umariya, Rajnath Singh said the operation demonstrated India’s self-reliance in defence, with the armed forces relying on domestically produced equipment. “We do not provoke anyone, but those who provoke us will not be spared,” he said. The minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for transforming the defence sector, noting that India is now supplying equipment to friendly nations and setting export records. In FY 2024–25, defence production reached an all-time high of ₹1.51 lakh crore, while exports hit ₹23,622 crore. Linking military capability to economic strength, Rajnath Singh said India’s economy is growing at around 6.5% and is on course to become the world’s third largest. He expressed confidence in achieving the government’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, citing the “double engine” governance model as a driver of accelerated growth.

Spread across 148 acres, the BRAHMA facility will be a state-of-the-art rail manufacturing unit producing Vande Bharat trainsets, metro cars, high-speed rail coaches, and other rolling stock for both domestic and export markets.

BEML plans to invest ₹1,800 crore in phases, with initial production of up to 200 coaches annually scaling to 1,100 within five years. The project is expected to create over 5,000 jobs and boost MSMEs in Madhya Pradesh’s industrial belt. The facility will incorporate green manufacturing features, including zero liquid discharge systems, renewable energy integration, rainwater harvesting, and the use of sustainable materials. Rajnath Singh said projects like BRAHMA not only strengthen national security but also advance India’s industrial and technological base. The event was attended by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, and senior central and state officials, with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw participating virtually.