Two months after Operation Sindoor, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval condemned misleading coverage by foreign media and reaffirmed India’s commitment to indigenous innovation in national security. Speaking at the 62nd convocation of IIT Madras, Doval delivered a compelling address that underscored the nation’s technological advancement, civilisational legacy, and strategic capabilities. Addressing the graduating students, he highlighted the precision and success of Operation Sindoor while stressing the importance of self-reliance in defence and technology.
“Show me one image of damage in India”
NSA Doval took the stage to openly praise the precision and success of Operation Sindoor, India’s recent counter-terror operation targeting nine terror camps deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
“We are proud of Operation Sindoor. We missed none. The strikes were precise, and we hit nowhere else except our targets. Whether it was our BrahMos or radars, all were indigenous,” he said.
Doval also dismissed claims by foreign media about Indian casualties or infrastructure damage. “Show me one image that shows even a broken glass pane in India. They wrote these things, but all satellite imagery only showed changes across 13 Pakistani air bases before and after May 10 — Sargodha, Rahim Yar Khan, Chaklala. We are capable of doing that damage,” he said, referring to images reported in foreign press coverage.
Doval calls out dependence on foreign tech for security
The NSA strongly underlined the importance of technological self-reliance, especially in communications. “We are going to completely indigenise our communication systems. It is necessary for data protection and national security,” Doval said, warning that reliance on foreign platforms poses serious risks.
Praising the private sector’s contribution, Doval said India had developed a home-grown 5G alternative in just two and a half years. “The Chinese spent 12 years and $300 billion. We neither had the time nor the money. Yet we did it, thanks to our private sector,” he said.
Artificial Intelligence
Calling Artificial Intelligence a “game-changer,” Doval urged young engineers and scientists to lead in emerging tech sectors. He noted that embracing AI and new technologies swiftly would be crucial for India’s strategic autonomy and competitiveness.
Doval also delivered a heartfelt message to the graduating class, urging them to reflect on the sacrifices of their ancestors. “You belong to a civilisation that has been bled, dishonoured, and beleaguered for a thousand years. Our ancestors suffered to keep the idea of India alive. The State may be new, but the Nation has existed for millennia,” he said.
Looking ahead to India’s 100th year of independence in 2047, Doval called on students to be torchbearers of change. “You will be at the prime of your careers then. It is your responsibility to take this nation forward.”
Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor was launched by India on the night of 7–8 May 2025 in response to a terrorist attack carried out by the Pakistan-based group “The Resistance Front” (TRF) on 22 April 2025 in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians. The operation involved precise missile and air strikes targeting nine terrorist training camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. India emphasised that the strikes were focused on terrorist infrastructure only, avoiding military or civilian targets.
