India ‘more secure and self-reliant than ever’, says govt in 11-year security review
New Delhi: India’s security doctrine has witnessed a sweeping shift over the last 11 years, transitioning from restraint to a bold, intelligence-led counter-terrorism approach, a government statement released Thursday said.
The government cited landmark actions such as the 2016 surgical strikes across the LoC following the Uri attack, the Balakot airstrikes after the 2019 Pulwama bombing, and most recently, April 2025’s Operation Sindoor, where India launched precision drone and loitering munitions strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK following a brutal attack in Pahalgam.
India, the statement said, has adopted a “clear doctrine” that ensures swift responses to threats, anchored in accurate intelligence. This shift was enabled by “political will, military capability and an unwavering focus on national interest.”
In May, when Pakistan responded with drone and missile attacks, India’s net-centric warfare systems and counter-UAS defences intercepted most projectiles, according to the government, reinforcing its preparedness for hybrid and aerial warfare.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s firm stance in a national address, stating: “Terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together, and water and blood cannot flow together.”
He reiterated that any future engagement with Pakistan would be limited to counter-terrorism and the issue of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The revocation of Articles 370 and 35A in 2019, the government said, marked a decisive step in integrating Jammu & Kashmir. Over 890 central laws were applied in the Union Territories, while over 200 state laws were repealed or aligned. The statement claims that terrorist incidents fell from 228 in 2018 to 28 in 2024, reflecting enhanced peace in the region.
A significant reduction in Left-Wing Extremism was also highlighted. From 126 affected districts in 2010, only 38 remained by April 2024, with incidents of violence dropping 81% and deaths declining by 85%. The government aims to eliminate Naxalism entirely by March 2026.
India’s growing global role—from hosting the G20 presidency to advancing regional diplomacy and humanitarian aid—was cited as further evidence of its “confident” emergence as a global power.
This comprehensive review comes as India positions itself amid global instability, with an emphasis on self-reliance, domestic defence production, and decisive leadership shaping a secure and pragmatic national strategy.
(With ANI inputs)