“We Targeted Terror, Not Civilians”: Rajnath Singh

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says India targeted terror, not civilians, in response to Pahalgam attack.
• Defence exports surge from ₹600 crore in 2014 to ₹24,000 crore in 2025; aim to cross ₹50,000 crore by 2029.
• India manufacturing everything “from toys to tanks,” moving towards becoming world’s factory.

GG News Bureau
Hyderabad, 3rd Oct: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said India’s fight against terrorism has always been about targeting terror, not civilians or military establishments. Speaking at an event organised by Jain International Trade Community (JITO) in Hyderabad, Singh recalled the 2016 Surgical Strikes, the 2019 Balakot Air Strikes, and 2025’s Operation Sindoor as decisive responses to threats against India’s sovereignty.

“When we responded to the Pahalgam terror attack, we did not ask the dharma of the terrorists – we targeted terror, not civilians or military establishments,” Singh asserted, stressing that India has never compromised when its pride and dignity were at stake.

India’s Defence Growth Story
Highlighting India’s transformation in the defence sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Singh noted that defence exports had jumped from about ₹600 crore in 2014 to over ₹24,000 crore in 2025. He expressed confidence that exports would cross ₹50,000 crore by 2029.

“From Tejas fighter jets to Akash missiles and Arjun tanks, our armed forces are increasingly being equipped with Made-in-India platforms. Today, India manufactures everything from toys to tanks and is progressing towards becoming the world’s manufacturing hub,” he said.

He cited the recent procurement deal of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, with more than 64% indigenous content, as a testimony to India’s march towards self-reliance.

Economic Outlook
The Defence Minister underlined that India is now the world’s fourth-largest economy and is projected to achieve a GDP of $7.3 trillion by 2030, becoming the third-largest globally. Quoting IMF reports, he added that India is poised to emerge as the world’s second-largest economy by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) by 2038.

Preserving Jain Heritage
Paying tribute to Jain luminaries such as Dr Vikram Sarabhai and Dr D.S. Kothari, Singh also lauded government efforts in preserving India’s Jain heritage. He highlighted the return of more than 20 stolen Tirthankara idols from abroad and recognition of Prakrit as a Classical Language.

Calling on citizens to draw inspiration from Lord Mahavira’s teachings of non-violence, truth, and Aparigraha, Singh said, “India is marching towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, rooted in its values and spiritual traditions.”