Overview

• Addressing the Indian diaspora in Rabat, the defence minister said Operation Sindoor targeted terrorists for their actions, not their religion, and avoided civilian and military establishments.
• He reaffirmed that the armed forces had a free hand after the Pahalgam massacre and described India’s response as calibrated and non‑escalatory.
• Further phases of Operation Sindoor could follow depending on Pakistan’s conduct, he indicated in remarks about potential phase 2 or 3.
• He asserted that Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir would rejoin India on its own, a stance voiced as opposition parties continue to claim the government passed up a chance to seize PoK after the May strikes.
• During the visit he inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems’ WhAP 8×8 plant in Berrechid, billed as India’s first defence manufacturing unit in Africa, with an India–Morocco defence cooperation MoU expected.