In the first Union Council of Ministers meeting since the launch of Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday strongly praised the performance of India’s indigenous defence systems, asserting that domestically manufactured weapons have proven themselves equal to the best in the world. The meeting, held in New Delhi, also featured detailed briefings on the operation's strategic outcomes and paid tribute to victims of the tragic stampede in Bengaluru linked to RCB’s IPL celebrations.

The meeting was seen as a critical moment in the government’s defence and strategic narrative, especially following India’s targeted and swift military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. With Operation Sindoor, India is attempting to shape both domestic and international understanding of its self-reliant defence capabilities and clear national security doctrine.

Operation Sindoor: Validation of India’s Defence Strength

According to senior sources present at the meeting, Prime Minister Modi commended the indigenous weapons and platforms used during Operation Sindoor. He said:

“The indigenous defence systems have shown the world that India is capable of striking back with precision, strength, and self-reliance.”

This endorsement by the PM is a major boost to the Make in India initiative, particularly its defence vertical, which has gained considerable momentum in the past decade.

India’s domestically built drones, missiles, targeting systems, and surveillance tools reportedly played a significant role in Operation Sindoor’s success. The operation, conducted in early May, targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), neutralising over 100 militants affiliated with groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen.

During the Council meeting, a comprehensive presentation was made on Operation Sindoor, showcasing:

• The strategic and operational planning behind the strikes

• Weapon performance metrics for indigenous systems

• The acknowledged damage on Pakistan’s side, including statements made by Pakistani military spokespeople and leaked local reports

• The diplomatic response management carried out by India's MEA and security advisors

According to the sources, even Pakistan had indirectly acknowledged the intensity of the operation and the high-impact precision strikes executed by Indian forces.

‘Make in India’ to Stay at the Core of Defence Policy

In his address, PM Modi reaffirmed that 'Make in India' defence production will remain a top priority for the government in its third term. He encouraged ministers to set ambitious goals, not just in defence, but across all ministries to propel India into its next phase of growth.

“We must push ourselves with urgency. There is no room for complacency,” Modi reportedly said.

India’s increasing self-reliance in defence has been a central theme of the Modi government, driven by the twin goals of national security and economic empowerment. The emphasis on indigenous defence solutions comes amid growing geopolitical tensions in South Asia and calls for reducing dependency on foreign defence suppliers.

Major indigenous platforms like:

• Tejas fighter jets

• Akash surface-to-air missile systems

• Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers

• Dhanush and ATAGS artillery systems

• Rustom and Tapas drones

...have either already been inducted or are in advanced stages of deployment by Indian armed forces.

PM Modi’s emphasis on these platforms following a successful cross-border operation is likely to further accelerate funding and policy support for domestic defence R&D and manufacturing under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Ministries to Highlight First-Year Achievements of Modi 3.0

The meeting also served as a platform to review standout achievements of each ministry, with a directive to showcase five key accomplishments from every department during celebrations marking the first anniversary of the Modi government's third term, starting June 9.

This structured outreach will help the government amplify its policy wins and connect with citizens, highlighting progress across infrastructure, economy, welfare, and technology sectors. Ministers were reportedly urged to:

• Identify high-impact, people-centric programs

• Share stories of ground-level implementation

• Use data-backed communication strategies

This move indicates a government focused not just on policy execution but on building political capital through visibility and citizen engagement.

Council Offers Condolences Over Bengaluru Stampede

While the tone of the meeting was largely forward-looking and strategic, the Council of Ministers also observed a solemn moment of condolence for the lives lost in Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede.

At least 11 people were killed and over 30 injured in the incident that occurred on Wednesday, when thousands of fans thronged the stadium for a felicitation ceremony organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to honour the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for their first-ever IPL title win.

Eyewitnesses reported overcrowding and lack of coordination, with many people fainting due to suffocation and panic. Police had to resort to mild lathi charge to control the situation, and ambulances were seen ferrying unconscious and injured individuals to hospitals.

Sources said PM Modi and senior ministers expressed grief over the tragic mishap, with the PM saying that "such incidents must be prevented through better planning and coordination". The BJP in Karnataka has since demanded a judicial inquiry, blaming the Congress-led state government for poor preparedness and inadequate crowd management.

Conclusion: From Battlefield Success to Domestic Strategy

The first meeting of the Union Council of Ministers post-Operation Sindoor was a mix of strategic praise, policy direction, and compassionate reflection. PM Modi’s strong endorsement of indigenous weapons systems signals a new phase in India’s strategic self-reliance journey, while his instructions to ministries to amplify their achievements reflects a government poised to showcase its performance narrative.

The meeting also did not shy away from addressing domestic concerns, offering condolences for the Bengaluru stampede and underlining the importance of public safety amid celebrations.

With India’s military assertiveness, indigenous defence innovation, and governance communication all being discussed in one sitting, the Council meeting was emblematic of a government looking both inward and outward, preparing to lead with confidence, caution, and capability in its third term.

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