Rajnath Singh: India's Shift in Dealing with Pakistan and Terror
India's defence strategy has been redesigned and redefined to focus on terrorism and PoK, with a strong emphasis on domestic defence capabilities and self-reliance, as the country seeks to strengthen its national security and reunify with the people of PoK.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that India has demonstrated restraint during Operation Sindoor, a military response to a terror attack, despite being capable of inflicting greater damage, and emphasized the dual goals of national security and self-reliance.
Singh praised the Make in India initiative in bolstering India's defense readiness and announced that India's approach has now shifted in dealing with Pakistan, with talks only to be about terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He expressed confidence that the emotional and cultural bond between the people of PoK and India remains strong and that they will one day return to the Indian mainstream.
The Defence Minister highlighted India's domestic defence capabilities, including the 'Make-in-India' initiative, which has led to a significant increase in defence exports. He also spoke about India's ambitious plan to build a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), and the opportunity for the private sector to participate in the project.
Singh stated that terrorism is not a cost-effective business, hinting at the heavy price Pakistan has paid for fostering terror camps on its soil. He said Pakistan has an idea of the hefty price of terrorism and that India has recalibrated its engagement with Pakistan, focusing on terrorism and PoK.
The Defence Minister's statements come as a significant shift in India's approach to dealing with Pakistan and terrorism, emphasizing the need for a strong and self-reliant defence capability, while also expressing faith in the reunification of the people of PoK with India.