DRAS (LADAKH), JULY 26, 2026: Addressing the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declared that the success of Operation Sindoor serves as definitive proof of India’s capability to respond to any Pakistani misadventure with a severity far beyond its imagination. Reaffirming the government’s firm diplomatic stance, he emphasized that there would be no general talks with Pakistan and that any future dialogue would focus exclusively on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which remains an integral part of India currently under illegal occupation. Singh asserted that in Pakistan, the line between the military and militants has completely dissolved as terrorism has been integrated into its state policy. Highlighting the stark contrast between the two nations over the last 27 years, he noted that while India designs microchips, builds a vibrant startup ecosystem, manufactures semiconductors, launches space satellites, exports global software, and expands UPI networks, Pakistan remains focused on designing terror, building terror ecosystems, preparing suicide bombers, running proxy missions, exporting sleeper cells, and linking terrorism with hawala networks. He assured that with the Central government granting full political will and operational freedom to the armed forces, no adversary would dare cast a hostile eye on the nation’s borders.
Paying rich tributes to the fallen heroes of the 1999 war, including Param Vir Chakra awardees Captain Vikram Batra and Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, the Defence Minister described Kargil Vijay Diwas as a eternal source of inspiration for the nation’s youth on the values of sacrifice and service. Emphasizing that national security is a collective responsibility, he urged every citizen to carry a soldier-like consciousness, moral strength, and discipline, particularly as India works toward its vision of “Viksit Bharat@2047,” which encompasses strategic strength, cultural pride, and social harmony alongside economic growth. Highlighting a major transformation in military self-reliance, Singh noted that India has shifted from importing 65-70 percent of its military hardware to manufacturing 65 percent on domestic soil. Invoking Captain Vikram Batra’s famous motto, “Yeh Dil Maange More,” he reiterated India’s commitment to accelerating defense indigenization—building on existing platforms like the Akash-Teer air defense control system, next-generation Akash missiles, INS Vikrant, Tejas fighter jets, Prachand and Dhruv helicopters, Arjun tanks, Pinaka rocket launchers, Astra missiles, and advanced counter-drone systems—to produce next-generation fighter aircraft, submarines, and missiles domestically.
During the solemn commemorative event, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, signed the Visitors’ Book, experienced the “Gaurav Gatha” briefing presented by two Non-Commissioned Officers, inaugurated a Virtual Walkthrough Portal of the memorial, visited the Hut of Remembrance, and paid homage at Veer Bhoomi. He was joined in paying respects by prominent military and civil dignitaries, including Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Northern Command GOC-in-C Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, 14 Corps GOC Lt Gen Madanraj Pande, and 8 Mountain Division GOC Maj Gen AP Singh, alongside Kargil War veterans, gallantry awardees, Veer Naris, Next of Kin, and local citizens. Following an interaction with troops and families over tea, Singh flagged-in the ‘Shaurya Vijay Yatra’ motorcycle rally, which he had initially flagged off from the National War Memorial in New Delhi on July 14, 2026.
Simultaneously, in New Delhi, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen Sandeep Jain laid wreaths at the National War Memorial to honor the supreme sacrifices of the nation’s fallen heroes.