Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Wednesday said Operation Sindoor was a “defining demonstration” of India’s resolve and restraint, reflecting the moral strength and professional excellence of the country’s armed forces as well as its youth.
Addressing cadets at the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Republic Day Camp here, General Dwivedi said the operation highlighted India’s firm response to terrorism while maintaining strategic discipline.
“Operation Sindoor was a defining demonstration of India’s resolve and restraint, a reflection of the moral strength and professional excellence of our armed forces and our youth alike,” the Army Chief said.
The operation was carried out by the Indian armed forces in the early hours of May 7 last year, eliminating at least 100 terrorists in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April, in which 26 civilians were killed.
A day earlier, General Dwivedi had sent a strong message to Pakistan, stating that Operation Sindoor remains ongoing and that “any misadventure by the adversary will be resolutely responded to”.
At the Army’s annual press conference on January 13, the Army Chief said the operation helped reset strategic assumptions, as Indian forces struck deep to dismantle terror infrastructure, puncturing Islamabad’s “longstanding nuclear rhetoric”.
Recalling the role of the NCC during the operation, General Dwivedi said more than 75,000 NCC cadets volunteered across the country, contributing to civil defence, hospital management, disaster relief and community services.
“Recent events have shown what Indian youth are capable of. You are the most powerful generation — Generation Z. Our youth are a reservoir of strength that must be channelised with discipline, purpose and national commitment,” he said.
The Army Chief said the NCC continues to be a sought-after pathway for young people aspiring to join the armed forces and stressed the need for ‘civilisational atmanirbharta’ — self-reliance in thought, technology, innovation and character.
He highlighted initiatives such as Army cells at IITs, technology clusters and the Army Internship Programme 2025-26 aimed at fostering innovation and national security awareness.
“We invite you to actively participate in national security, innovation and development initiatives,” he said.
Emphasising the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, General Dwivedi said a developed, secure and self-reliant India cannot be achieved by the government alone.
“It will be achieved by young leaders, NCC cadets, innovators, teachers, engineers, doctors, soldiers and responsible citizens like you,” he said.
“So, let’s march with discipline, innovate with integrity and serve with pride. Together, we shall build a strong, self-reliant, united and developed India,” the Army Chief added.
