Rabat: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on an official visit to Morocco, engaged with the Indian diaspora in Rabat on September 21, 2025, where he emphasized India’s firm yet restrained approach in dealing with security challenges.
Speaking about Operation Sindoor, launched after the cowardly terror attack on innocent Indians in Pahalgam, Singh assured the community that the Armed Forces had been given complete freedom to respond, but in a calibrated manner. Quoting the Ramcharitmanas, he said: “Humne dharm dekh kar nahi, karm dekh kar maara hai” stressing that India’s actions were guided by duty and justice, not vengeance.
In his address, Singh underscored that India’s response was measured and non-escalatory, highlighting the nation’s growing maturity as a global power. He praised the Armed Forces’ decisive action while reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens at all costs.
Beyond security, the Defence Minister painted a broader picture of India’s transformation over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He noted that India has risen from being the 11th largest economy to the 4th largest, and is poised to soon break into the global top three. He also highlighted India’s digital revolution, rapid strides in the knowledge economy, and the explosive growth of the startup ecosystem—from 18 unicorns a decade ago to 118 today.
The defence sector, Singh added, has become a symbol of self-reliance. With production worth ₹1.5 lakh crore and exports exceeding ₹23,000 crore to more than 100 countries, India is rapidly emerging as a global hub for defence manufacturing.
The Minister also lauded the Indian diaspora’s contribution, describing their hard work, dedication, and honesty as a reflection of the Indian character worldwide. Recalling Swami Vivekananda’s address at the Parliament of World’s Religions, he underlined that in Indian culture, it is character above all else that defines a person.
Members of the diaspora expressed pride in India’s growing stature, built on strong economic foundations, military strength, and moral resolve.
