Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has again warned Pakistan over terrorism and said that, if it feels it is incapable to take any action on the issue, India is ready help it in eradicating terrorism on its soil.
In a podcast with ANI, Singh said that one should be assured that no one will be allowed to engage in terrorist activities on Indian soil and that New Delhi will do “whatever it takes” to ensure it.
For the second time in two weeks, Singh has outlined Narendra Modi government’s policy on terrorism which states that India will not shy from taking down anti-India elements wherever they might be based. Last week, Singh told Network 18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi in a separate interview that India will give a “befitting reply” if terrorists target India from the neighbouring country and India will “enter their houses and eliminate them” in Pakistan if terrorists take refuge in the country.
Singh’s remarks followed a story in the UK-based newspaper The Guardian that reported that India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has recently carried out up 20 targeted killings of terrorists in Pakistan as part of a broader strategy to eliminate terrorists abroad.
‘Pakistan can take help from us if it’s incapable of tackling terror’
In a warning to Pakistan, Singh said that either the country should handle terrorism on its soil on its own or it may take help from India. He said that if Pakistan’s intentions to stop terrorism are true, then it should act on its own.
Singh further said that Pakistan will face consequences if it tries to destabilise India with terrorism.
“If Pakistan thinks that it is not capable of controlling it, then it can take help from India. India is ready to help Pakistan stop terrorism. They are our neighbours, and if their intentions are clear that terrorism should stop, then they should do that themselves. Otherwise, they can take help from India and we both can end terrorism,” said Singh in Hindi.
Terrorist groups based in Pakistan and getting support from the country’s all-powerful military and intelligence establishment have long targeted India. They have fuelled an insurgency in Kashmir and have carried out many terrorist attacks. India and Pakistan have had a fraught relationship over terrorism emanating from Pakistan and over the country’s stand on Kashmir. The two countries have fought four wars in 1947-48, 1965, 1971, and 1999.
‘Ghar me ghus kar maarenge’: Singh on Pakistan-based terrorism
Singh’s latest remarks follow his statement in an earlier interview with Network 18 in which he said that New Delhi will enter Pakistan and eliminate terrorists if needed.
“India will give a befitting reply to any act of terror emanating from our neighbouring country. Those who try to disturb India’s peace and carry out terror activities on Indian soil, we will enter their houses and eliminate them,” said Singh in Hindi in an interview with Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi.
Singh further said that Pakistan understands that India has the strength to do such things. He further said that while India has never attacked any country, it will not be quite if it’s instigated.
“If one sees India’s past, you can see we have never initiated any aggression against any neighbour. But if someone keeps instigating India and promote terrorism in India, we will not spare them,” said Singh.
Following Singh’s comments, Pakistan’s Foreign Office reaffirmed the country’s commitment to protect its sovereignty and stressed its willingness to protect its territorial integrity. It said, “Throughout history, Pakistan has demonstrated its steadfast resolve and capability to protect and uphold its sovereignty,” the Foreign Office asserted, criticising India’s leadership for resorting to inflammatory rhetoric for political gain.”
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