Decisive action will change history, geography: Rajnath
New Delhi/Bhuj: In a stern warning to Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said any misadventure by Islamabad in the Sir Creek sector will invite a “decisive response” that could be strong enough to change both “history and geography”.
Singh’s remarks from a military base near the India-Pakistan border in the city of Bhuj in Gujarat came against the backdrop of the neighbouring country expanding military infrastructure in the disputed region.
The Defence Minister celebrated Dussehra with soldiers and performed ‘Shastra Puja’ (worship of weapons) on the occasion.
He also said the Indian military successfully achieved all the objectives of Operation Sindoor and that starting a war with Pakistan by escalating the situation was not its intention. The operation “exposed” Pakistan’s air defence and proved India’s “decisive capability”, Singh said. However, his comments on the disputed Sir Creek sector drew much attention.
“In 1965, the Indian Army showed courage by reaching Lahore and in 2025, Pakistan must remember that the road to Karachi also passes through the creek,” he said.
Sir Creek is a 96-km-long tidal estuary between Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch and Pakistan and is considered a disputed region due to varying interpretations of maritime-boundary lines by both sides.
Singh drew attention to the fact that even after 78 years of Independence, Pakistan “continues to create disputes” over the Sir Creek sector, despite India’s repeated efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue.
The neighbouring country’s recent expansion of military infrastructure in the Sir Creek sector reflects its ill intention, he said.
“Any misadventure by Pakistan in the Sir Creek sector will invite a decisive response,” Singh said, adding, “The recent expansion of its (Pakistan’s) military infrastructure in the areas adjacent to Sir Creek reveals its intentions.”
The Defence Minister also virtually inaugurated a tidal-berthing facility and a Joint Control Centre (JCC) in the strategic Sir Creek sector. The facilities will act as major enablers for integrated coastal operations, while significantly enhancing joint operational capability, coastal-security coordination and rapid response to any threats, according to the Defence Ministry.
In his remarks, Singh lauded the armed forces for “successfully thwarting” Pakistan’s attempts to breach India’s defence network during Operation Sindoor.
“Pakistan tried to penetrate India’s defences from Leh to the Sir Creek sector, but the swift and effective counter-action of the Indian forces not only exposed the weaknesses of Pakistan’s air-defence system, but also sent out a clear message to the world that India can inflict heavy damage at a time, place and manner of its choosing,” he said.
Singh underlined that despite having the capability, India demonstrated restraint as Operation Sindoor was aimed at countering terrorism, not provoking a wider conflict. He expressed satisfaction that all military objectives of Operation Sindoor were successfully achieved and reaffirmed that India’s fight against terrorism will continue with full resolve.
