India halted Operation Sindoor voluntarily and on its own terms, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (April 30), adding that India was prepared for a long war against Pakistan if the situation demanded.

Voluntary pause, not a constraint

Elaborating further, Singh said India not only had the capability of scaling up its defence production in case of a sudden need, but it possesses the capability even now in a much more robust fashion.

"Terrorism is not just an anti-national act, it has multi-dimensions, and terrorism can only be dealt with if we tackle it in all its three dimensions--operational, ideological, and political. The true IP address of terrorism is its ideological and political roots, where it thrives. The ideological nourishment and political patronage of terrorism is the nectar in Ravana's navel, which, after cutting off one head, regenerates another. I believe it is essential to dry up this navel that gives life to terrorism," said Singh.

Pakistan and the broader warning

"We have always seen that countries like Pakistan have consistently supported terrorism, and this is why both India and Pakistan gained independence at the same time, but today, India is known worldwide for its Information Technology, while Pakistan is considered the epicentre of other IT, i.e., International Terrorism. Our military industrial complex has proven that it is not only for the period of peace, but it is also prepared for rapid supply during wartime. We were even threatened with a nuclear attack, but we did not fall for that bluff," he added.