Operation Sindoor: How Indian Navy's Strategic Deployment Showcased Maritime Power and Forced Pakistan to Retreat

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted that the Indian Navy's strength during Operation Sindoor was evident to the world as its deterrent posture compelled Pakistan's naval forces to remain in harbor or near their coastline, he stated on Thursday while praising the force's combat readiness.

While addressing senior naval commanders, Singh described Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of India's military capability and a clear signal to the international community that the nation stands prepared to address any challenge.

The Defence Minister lauded the naval forces for establishing a "deterrent posture" during the operation which effectively restricted Pakistan's naval movements to their harbors or coastal waters.

Singh shared on social media: "Addressed top Indian Navy leadership at the Naval Commanders' Conference in New Delhi. Operation Sindoor sent a global message that India is ever ready to respond to every challenge. Indian Navy created a deterrent posture that forced Pakistan to remain near its coast."

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Navy deployed its carrier battle group, submarines, and aviation assets in the northern Arabian Sea.

During Operation Sindoor, naval forces maintained forward deployment with complete preparedness to strike designated targets at sea and on land, including Karachi.

Singh characterized the Indian Navy's presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as reassuring for friendly nations while causing "discomfort for those who seek to destabilize the region."

"The IOR has become the center of contemporary geopolitics. It is no longer passive; it has become an area of competition and cooperation," he remarked at the Naval Commanders' Conference.

This conference serves as a forum for interaction with national leadership and government officials, helping refine the Navy's approach to addressing multidimensional challenges.

In his closing remarks at the two-day conference, Singh emphasized how the Indian Navy has assumed a leadership position in the region through its diverse capabilities.

"In the last six months, our ships, submarines and naval aircraft have been deployed at an unprecedented scale. In addition, our Navy has provided safe passage to approximately 335 merchant vessels, equalling approximately 1.2 million metric tons of cargo and a trade value of USD 5.6 billion," he stated.

This achievement, Singh noted, demonstrates India's emergence as a trusted and capable partner within the global maritime economy.

The Defence Minister also emphasized the necessity of evolving naval strategy and thinking to keep pace with rapidly changing global dynamics.

"We must work together in three areas: capability, people, and partnerships. Capability means technology and strength; people mean sailors and their families; and partnerships mean industries, academia and international cooperation," he explained.

"When these three come together, our Navy will emerge as an even more reliable and powerful force," Singh added.

He commended the Indian Navy for strengthening its capabilities through indigenous equipment and becoming the standard-bearer of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

"In the last 10 years, nearly 67 per cent of the Navy's capital acquisition contracts have been with Indian industries. This proves that we are no longer dependent solely on imports," Singh remarked.

During his address to the commanders on Wednesday, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi praised the "collective dedication and professionalism" of "Team Navy" in ensuring operational excellence during Operation Sindoor, which he described as a "source of pride" for the nation.

Discussing the current geostrategic landscape, Admiral Tripathi emphasized the Navy's role in protecting national maritime interests through enhanced "preparedness, adaptability, and proactive engagement" across the region.