Trust Deficit With China Post Op Sindoor, Says Defence Secretary; Calls Trump-Munir Meeting “Unusual”
In his first podcast interview with ANI following Operation Sindoor, India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh stated that trust with China remains low, even as dialogue continues under the bilateral dispute resolution process. He emphasized the need for military preparedness while maintaining cautious optimism for diplomatic progress.
Singh noted that India's strategic posture has evolved significantly post Operation Sindoor. India will no longer restrict its responses to eliminating terror foot soldiers or attacking isolated camps. “We are now targeting command centres and leadership,” he asserted. He confirmed that Pakistan had requested time and essentially sought a ceasefire during the conflict.
Referring to the high-profile meeting between Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump, Singh remarked it was “a very strange thing”, pointing out the absence of Pakistan’s civilian leadership at such an engagement.
Discussing the battlefield performance of indigenous weapon systems, Singh highlighted the effectiveness of India-made platforms like the Akash surface-to-air missile and the BrahMos cruise missile, calling the latter a “game changer.” He reiterated the government’s focus on reducing procurement delays and encouraging competitive participation in key defence projects, including the AMCA fifth-generation fighter program.
He noted that following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan requested ceasefire talks after initially rejecting India’s outreach. He confirmed that complete transcripts of DGMO-level talks between India and Pakistan are available for official record.
The Defence Secretary added that India is adopting an “escalation dominance” strategy, retaining the ability to strike hard and early, with full control over timing and scale. He reaffirmed India’s policy of not tolerating nuclear coercion.
Singh also addressed reports of Chinese presence in Pakistani operations rooms during the conflict. He said while there’s no indication of active participation, Chinese support in terms of satellite imagery and equipment may have been extended. He reiterated India’s low trust in China but stressed the importance of continued diplomatic engagement.
He acknowledged that India’s armed forces used a mix of fully indigenous, partially indigenous, and foreign-origin systems in the conflict. Notably, BrahMos played a central role in crippling Pakistani air bases, bunkers, and infrastructure.
On procurement reforms, Singh clarified that there are no formal talks underway with the US or Russia for platforms like the F-35A or SU-57E. Instead, India is prioritizing selective foreign acquisitions focused on technology transfer.
He discussed the recently issued Expression of Interest (EOI) for the AMCA prototype, which now allows broader participation, including private industry and consortiums. The move is aimed at fostering competition and avoiding monopolies in large-scale defence projects.
Singh also mentioned that the government has already slashed procurement timelines across multiple stages, potentially reducing delays by up to 69 weeks. He emphasized a shift from nomination-based models to competitive bidding in order to ensure accountability and efficiency.
The revised Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), expected later this year, will include new mechanisms like deemed licensing, removal of outdated norms, and simplification of key bottlenecks, particularly in shipbuilding and aircraft procurement.
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh has frequently highlighted delays in defence production and delivery schedules, especially in fighter jet programs. The Defence Secretary acknowledged these concerns and committed to speeding up processes to enhance India’s military readiness.
He said that while India’s defence budget has grown steadily over the past decade, delays in procurement have affected fund utilization. However, recent improvements in spending trends indicate better financial planning.
Regarding drone capabilities, Singh admitted that India’s drone manufacturing ecosystem is primarily focused on civilian needs. He stressed the urgent need to develop military-grade drone production and announced that the government will support 3–4 domestic manufacturers with targeted orders and tenders to build this critical capability.
Finally, Singh confirmed that the sixth round of emergency procurement is already underway to address immediate post-Operation Sindoor requirements.
Written by Defence Expert.
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