Operation Sindoor an example of humanity’s fight against terrorism: President Murmu

Operation Sindoor will go down in history as an example of humanity’s fight against terrorism and India responded to the cowardly and inhuman Pahalgam terror attack with a steely resolve, President Droupadi Murmu said in her address to the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.

President Murmu lauded the country’s unity and said the military action on the terror hubs across the border was a test case for growing self-reliance in the defence sector.

Also Read President Murmu’s speech on the eve of Independence Day 2025

“Operation Sindoor showed that our armed forces are prepared to meet any eventuality when it comes to guarding the nation. With strategic clarity and technical capability, they destroyed terrorist hubs across the border. I believe, Operation Sindoor will go down in history as an example in humanity’s fight against terrorism,” Ms. Murmu said.

“In our response, what was most noticeable was our unity, which is also the most befitting response to those who wanted to divide us,” she added.

Referring to the multi-party parliamentary delegations that reached out to various nations to explain India’s position on cross-border terrorism, she said, “The world has taken note of India’s stance, that we will not be the aggressor, but we will not hesitate to retaliate in defence of our citizens.”

The President also paid rich tributes to India’s ancient democratic traditions, successful transition from colonialism to a modern democracy on the basis of universal adult suffrage and the Constitution for “providing the edifice of democracy”.

“We built democratic institutions that strengthened the practice of democracy. We prize our Constitution and our democracy above everything else,” she said.

Talking about the economy, she asserted that India is well on the way to becoming a developed economy by 2047, moving ahead with great confidence to be a self-reliant nation. She noted that even amid a global stress, India is considered as one of the fastest growing major economies, with growing domestic demand, inflation under control and GDP growth of 6.5% last fiscal.

“The all-round economic growth complemented by social sector initiatives has placed India well on the path of becoming a developed nation by 2047. With the nation marching ahead during the Amrit Kaal, I see all of us contributing to the best of our ability,” she said.

Invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s statement “corruption and hypocrisy ought not to be inevitable products of democracy,” the President stressed on the importance of sustained good governance and a “zero tolerance for corruption”.

Highlighting the nation’s focus on technological innovation, specifically artificial intelligence (AI) and the India-AI mission launched by the government, she said, “As we aspire to become a global AI hub by 2047, our focus will remain on making the best use of the advances in technology for the common people, to improve their lives by improving governance”.

The President also emphasised that development is truly meaningful only when it benefits marginalised communities and creates new opportunities for them.

Ms. Murmu mentioned several flagship programmes of the government such as how Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through digital payments and transfers, Ayushman Bharat scheme for healthcare, the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, Jal Jeevan Mission have brought about landmark changes in people’s lives.

She also noted that Shubhanshu Shukla’s space journey to the International Space Station has fired a whole generation to dream bigger and mentioned India’s strides in the world of sports.