New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday lashed out at Pakistan Army chief Gen. Asim Munir over his controversial “dumper truck” remark and veiled nuclear threat against India, calling it both a reflection of Islamabad’s “predatory mentality” and a confession of its “own failure.”
Speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders’ Forum, Singh said Pakistan should harbour no delusions about India’s strength, stressing that Operation Sindoor had already demonstrated New Delhi’s resolve in dealing with security challenges. “Pakistan should not harbour any illusion about India’s strength. Operation Sindoor has already shown our resolve. We will not allow any miscalculation to take root in their mind,” he warned.
Singh also ridiculed Munir’s analogy comparing India to a “Mercedes” and Pakistan to a “dumper truck.” “If two countries gained independence together, and one built an economy like a sports car with vision and hard work while the other remained stuck in failure, it is their own doing. This is not a joke, it is a confession,” he said.
Earlier this month, Munir, while addressing the Pakistani diaspora in Tampa, Florida, had remarked that India was “shining like a Mercedes” while Pakistan was a “dumper truck full of gravel,” sparking widespread criticism. Responding to this, Singh said Munir’s words were a clear reflection of Pakistan’s “tribal and predatory mindset” that has haunted the country since its inception. He added that India’s ethos sees strength not in dominance but in harmony, dignity and contribution to global good.
Turning to India’s defence sector, the minister urged global investors to take advantage of the country’s growing military manufacturing ecosystem. “Our Make in India is not limited to India alone. When you make in India, you make for the world,” he emphasised.
He highlighted that India’s defence exports have grown nearly 35 times in the last decade—from just ₹686 crore in 2013-14 to ₹23,622 crore in 2024-25—with products now being exported to almost 100 countries. The government has set a target of ₹30,000 crore in defence exports this year and ₹50,000 crore by 2029. Domestic defence production, he added, has more than tripled from ₹40,000 crore in 2014 to over ₹1.5 lakh crore in 2024-25, and is on track to touch ₹2 lakh crore this fiscal.
Singh also underlined recent breakthroughs in indigenous capabilities, noting that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has secured orders worth ₹66,000 crore for 97 Tejas fighter jets, in addition to an earlier order of 83 worth ₹48,000 crore. He said India is also progressing towards building fifth-generation fighter aircraft and engines domestically, while 75 per cent of the defence capital procurement budget has been reserved for Indian companies under five indigenisation lists.
With Pakistan struggling with economic collapse and instability, Singh’s remarks carried a strong message: while India surges ahead on the path of growth and self-reliance, its neighbour continues to remain stuck in failure.
