India had reached a point where it was ready to launch a naval strike against Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, according to Chief of the Naval Staff Dinesh K Tripathi. His remarks came months after the military operation carried out in May 2025.

Navy Maintained Aggressive Posture

Speaking at the Naval Investiture Ceremony, Admiral Tripathi praised Operation Sindoor and highlighted the strong stance taken by the Indian Navy throughout the conflict.

He stated that the Navy remained in an aggressive operational mode during the entire period. Emphasising how close India came to escalating the situation further, he said, “It is not a hidden fact anymore that we were just minutes away from striking Pakistan from sea, when they requested the stoppage of kinetic actions,” as reported by ANI.

Background of Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor began on May 7, 2025, about two weeks after a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians lost their lives.

India launched the operation with the aim of responding to the attack and targeting terrorist infrastructure located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. During the operation, more than 100 terrorists were reportedly killed.

Brief Conflict Followed by Ceasefire

The operation led to several days of military confrontation between India and Pakistan. Eventually, both sides agreed to a halt in hostilities on May 10, bringing temporary calm to the situation.

Operation Boosted Confidence in Navy

Admiral Tripathi also said that the Navy’s actions during Operation Sindoor strengthened public confidence and demonstrated its operational strength.

He referred to a special moment when Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the Navy for a long overnight mission along the western coast of India.

"Through swift and resolute actions during the Op Sindoor, the Indian Navy reinforced the nation's confidence and trust in its capabilities. Besides Op Sindoor and the relentless operational tempo through the year, we were also very proud to showcase the breadth and depth of our operational capabilities to the Hon'ble Prime Minister during a historic 17-hour overnight embarkation with the Indian Navy on the Western Seaboard," he said, according to ANI.

Pakistan Navy Forced on Defensive

Earlier, Admiral Tripathi had stated that the Indian Navy’s strong deployment during the operation forced the Pakistan Navy to stay close to its ports or remain near the Makran coast.

He also indicated that Operation Sindoor is still ongoing and has not officially concluded.