FM Nirmala Sitharaman Cites Operation Sindoor To Defend A Decade Of Defence Investment And Reforms

Highlighting India’s defence preparedness, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the country’s security cannot be compromised, pointing to Operation Sindoor as an outcome of consistent defence spending over the past ten years. Addressing the Youth Dialogue on Budget 2026, she said balancing welfare demands with national security is a complex challenge every Finance Minister faces. Sitharaman recalled a time when Indian soldiers lacked bulletproof jackets and ammunition, underscoring how far defence capabilities have progressed. She also referred to the fiscal stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, calling it a once-in-a-century crisis where the government borrowed heavily to save lives rather than raise taxes. With growth returning, she said the priority is to reduce debt responsibly while ensuring India remains secure, resilient and prepared in an increasingly uncertain global environment.