Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a strong warning to Pakistan, saying any “nefarious act” by the neighbouring country would invite an even stronger response from India than the one delivered previously. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, meanwhile, highlighted the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean, maritime security challenges and the Indian Navy’s growing focus on drone technology.

Addressing the Times Network National Defence Conclave 2026 in New Delhi, Singh said India’s commitment to peace should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness.

“Our commitment to peace should never be mistaken for weakness,” the Defence Minister said, warning Pakistan against any hostile action.

In his keynote address, Singh spoke about the changing approach of India’s security forces towards terrorism, claiming that the time terrorists are able to remain active has declined significantly since 2014.

“Since 2014, the shelf life of terrorists has reportedly fallen to less than one year. In other words, within a year of taking up arms against India, most terrorists have been eliminated by our security forces,” he said.

He added that India’s armed forces were increasingly targeting the sources and support systems of terrorism, rather than limiting their efforts to confronting threats after they emerge.

“India’s armed forces are now reaching the very nurseries of terrorism and working to uproot them completely,” Singh said.

Singh also highlighted the expansion of India’s domestic defence manufacturing capabilities and the growing international market for Indian defence products.

“India is also exporting bulletproof jackets to more than 100 countries. We are making ecosystem that not only boosts India’s defence but also boost its economy,” he said.

The government has set a defence production target of Rs.2 lakh crore for 2026. As part of its push for domestic manufacturing, 75 percent of the capital acquisition budget, amounting to approximately Rs.1.39 lakh crore, has been earmarked for the domestic defence industry.

The measures reflect the government’s focus on strengthening indigenous defence capabilities while building an industrial ecosystem that contributes to economic growth and reduces dependence on overseas suppliers.

Admiral Krishna Swaminathan highlighted the Indian Ocean’s importance to global energy supplies, commodity flows and international trade, stressing that developments across the region have implications far beyond the countries bordering it.

“The Indian Ocean region is extremely important to the world, not simply because it includes nations that produce energy, petroleum products and other commodities, but also because of the volume of global trade that passes through it,” he said.

Explaining the Indian Navy’s approach to maritime security, Swaminathan said the service continuously monitors regional developments, tracks vessel movements and identifies potential hotspots to ensure it can respond effectively when required.

“We monitor developments, track which vessels enter and leave the region, identify potential hotspots and try to position ourselves in advance. This ensures that when the time comes, we are already present, prepared and ready to act,” he said.

He also emphasised that the Navy’s focus on strategic maritime chokepoints was rooted in decades of operational planning and doctrine.

“The Indian Navy has long recognised the importance of chokepoints. This is not a new realisation,” Swaminathan said, adding that these routes were critical not only to India’s economic security but also to the global trading system.

The Navy’s emphasis on maritime awareness and advance deployment comes against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean’s role in international shipping and the movement of essential commodities.

The Times Network National Defence Conclave 2026 brought together military leaders, policymakers, diplomats, strategists, industry representatives and innovators to discuss India’s strategic priorities as the country works towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

The discussions centred on the convergence of military strength, technological innovation, strategic diplomacy and indigenous capabilities. The Indian Navy’s growing interest in drone technology also highlighted the increasing role of emerging technologies in maritime surveillance and modern military operations.

The conclave provided a platform to examine how India can strengthen its defence preparedness, protect critical maritime interests and expand its role as a global security power.