Decade of defence reforms bore fruit during Op Sindoor: Modi

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The benefits of a decade of defence reforms were evident during Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday, asserting that India has to be prepared at all times to deal with security challenges.

As a country that is playing an increasingly important role in the world, India has a duty to modernise its defence sector in line with current realities, Modi said in an exclusive interview to PTI.

Citing the allocation of Rs 7.85 lakh crore to the defence sector in the Union Budget 2026-27, the prime minister said the outlay is 15 per cent higher than the previous budget and is also the "biggest chunk" given to any ministry or department.

Since day one, the government has been clear -- it will do whatever it takes to support the country's defence forces and strengthen them, he said.