India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Pakistan has made terrorism an integral part of its state policy during a ceremony in Drass, Ladakh [1].
The statement follows a recent cross-border terrorist attack in Kashmir, signaling a heightened state of tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbors [2].
Speaking July 26, 2026, during the Kargil Vijay Diwas event [1], Singh said the boundary between the Pakistani government and militant organizations has disappeared. He said the distinction between Pakistan’s military and militant groups has been completely erased [2].
Singh highlighted India's military response to these threats, specifically referencing Operation Sindoor. He said the operation is a resounding testament to India's resolve against terrorism [3].
The Defence Minister's remarks underscore a strategy of public condemnation and military readiness to deter further incursions. The event in Drass served as a backdrop to reiterate that India will not tolerate state-sponsored militancy, a stance that has defined the relationship since the Kargil conflict.
By linking current events to Operation Sindoor, the Indian government aims to project a consistent policy of retaliation and defense. This rhetoric emphasizes that India views the current security situation not as a series of isolated incidents, but as a systemic policy driven by the Pakistani state [1], [2].
“"Pakistan has now made terrorism an integral part of its state policy."”
The escalation in rhetoric from the Indian Defence Ministry suggests a shift toward viewing Pakistan's military and its proxy militant groups as a single entity. By citing Operation Sindoor during a commemorative event like Kargil Vijay Diwas, India is signaling that it maintains a low threshold for military response to cross-border attacks, potentially reducing the diplomatic space for negotiation in the Kashmir region.
