In a direct warning to Pakistan on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that if Islamabad continues to support terrorism, it would have to pay a heavier price.
Addressing Indian Army soldiers at the Badami Bagh Cantonment here, Singh said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has redefined India’s policy against terrorism, which now says that any attack on Indian soil, will be considered as an act of war.”
India has always prioritised peace over war, but when its territorial integrity and sovereignty is attacked, she will necessarily respond, the Minister said.
Terming “Operation Sindoor” as the biggest action taken by India against terrorism thus far, Singh said it was a testament to the nation’s commitment to go to any extent to eliminate the menace.
“’Operation Sindoor’ was a commitment demonstrated by India of not just carrying out defence, but taking bold decisions whenever needed. It was a dream of every soldier to reach every terrorist hideout and destroy them. Terrorists killed Indians based on their religion; we killed them for their deeds. It was our dharma to eliminate them. Our forces gave the right direction to their anger and took revenge for Pahalgam with great courage and discretion,” the Defence Minister said.
“Our forces have shown the world that their aim is precise and pinpointed, and the task of counting is left to the enemies,” he added.
India’s unwavering resolve was gauged by its refusal to be deterred by Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail.
“The world is witness to how irresponsibly Islamabad has issued nuclear threats to New Delhi several times in the past. I raise this question before the world - Are nuclear weapons safe in the hands of such an irresponsible and rogue nation? Pakistan’s nuclear weapons should be taken under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),” he said.
Describing the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack as an attempt to break the social unity of India, Rajnath said the nation’s armed forces had responded by striking at the very heart of the adversary.
Recalling Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s declaration before then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in January 2004 that terrorism will no longer be exported from its territory, Defence Minister Singh accused Pakistan of repeatedly deceiving India.
Singh said that it is an irony that while Pakistan continues to seek loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other global financial institutions to survive as a nation, India is among those countries that deliver funds to the IMF to enable it to help poor countries.
Reiterating Prime Minister Modi’s views that terrorism and talks cannot go together, the Defence Minister said that if talks were held between India and Pakistan, it would only be on issues of terrorism and returning Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to India.
“We are very proud of our forces”, Rajnath said while paying homage to the innocent civilians who were killed in a terror attack and to the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the motherland during “Operation Sindoor”.
He also reiterated the government’s commitment to continue equipping the soldiers with advanced weapons and platforms, besides upgrading defence infrastructure.
“Our government has ensured that our forces are prepared for every situation. Many new generation equipment like modern rifles, missile defence shields, and drones are being rapidly manufactured in India itself. Connectivity has been ensured along LoC and LAC like never before. The devotion and readiness with which our soldiers serve the country, the government is trying to serve you,” he said.
Rajnath Singh exuded confidence when he said that with the cooperation of the military, India would soon eradicate terrorism in the region, so that no one dares to cast an evil eye on the nation’s sovereignty.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and other senior Indian Army officers were present on the occasion.