Madhya Pradesh, August 27: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said India’s armed forces must be prepared for a wide spectrum of security challenges—from short skirmishes to prolonged wars lasting up to five years—given the uncertainties of the current global geopolitical environment.
Speaking at the “Ran Samvad” event at the Army War College, Singh stressed that while India harbours no territorial ambitions, it will go to any extent to safeguard its sovereignty. “We do not want anyone’s land, but we are ready to go to any extent to protect our land,” he asserted, addressing senior military leadership including Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi.
The Defence Minister cautioned that modern wars are highly unpredictable in duration and scope, often extending far beyond initial expectations. “If any war stretches for two months, four months, a year, two years, even five years, then we should be fully prepared for it,” he said, urging the armed forces to enhance readiness for long-term conflicts.
Highlighting the evolving concept of national security, Singh said it was no longer confined to the military alone but required a “whole-of-nation approach.” He credited India’s growing defence self-reliance, pointing to Operation Sindoor as a shining example of indigenous strength and swift military response against Pakistan-based terrorists.
Lauding the success of the operation, Singh called it a “striking demonstration of technology-driven warfare,” showcasing the effectiveness of homegrown platforms, weapons, and systems. “Its achievements have once again underlined that in the times to come, self-reliance is an absolute necessity. We have indeed made significant progress on this path, but there is still a long way ahead,” he added.
