New Delhi: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that Pakistan has no legal standing or authority in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as it has illegally occupied the area.
Speaking at a National Security Conclave in Jammu, Singh said, “Pakistan does not have a locus standi there as it has illegally occupied the area. The Indian Parliament has unanimously passed at least three resolutions, which state that PoK is a part of India.”
The minister reiterated his government’s commitment to protect the sovereignty and unity of the nation.
Singh highlighted the significant changes in India’s security landscape over the past nine years. He emphasized that India has transformed from a perceived weak nation to a country with the ability to overcome any threats it faces.
He outlined four key principles guiding the government’s approach to national security, including addressing security and sovereignty threats, protecting national interests, creating conducive conditions for progress and the well-being of citizens, and building alliances with friendly nations to tackle global challenges like terrorism.
Singh assured the nation that the Indian armed forces are fully equipped to defend the borders and the seas. He emphasized the government’s efforts to provide the military with the latest weaponry and modern technology. “Our goal is to bring our armed forces in the frontline of modern militaries,” he said.
“Since long time, Pakistan has tried to destabilise peace and harmony in the country through cross-border terrorism. However, when we came to power, we launched an effective action against terrorism. We showed the world the meaning of ‘zero tolerance against terrorism’. The bold and first-of-its-kind moves to eliminate terrorists following the Uri and Pulwama incidents are proof of India’s ‘zero tolerance against terrorism’ policy and the unmatched valour of the Armed Forces. Today, most of the countries are united against terrorism. The joint statement issued after the prime minister’s meeting with US President Joe Biden is an indication of how India has changed the mind-set of the world on the issue of terrorism,” Singh said.
He said that the network of terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir has substantially weakened in the last few years as strict and consistent action is being taken. “Terror funding has been curbed. Supply of arms & drugs to terrorists has been stopped. Along with elimination of terrorists, work is being done to dismantle the network of Under Ground workers,” he added.
On the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, the defence minister said that the decision has connected the people of the union territory with the country’s mainstream and helped them to usher in a new era of peace & progress.
Addressing the border dispute with China, Singh described it as a matter of perceptual differences. However, he emphasized the importance of adhering to established protocols and expressed concern over China’s unilateral attempts to alter the status quo during the Eastern Ladakh standoff in 2020. Singh praised the Indian Army for its dedication and valor in thwarting such attempts.
Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving border dispute through peaceful dialogue, highlighting ongoing discussions at military and diplomatic levels. He assured that India would never compromise on its borders, honour, and self-respect, vowing to prevent any violation of the sanctity of Indian territory.
The defence minister outlined measures taken to bolster national security, including strengthening border infrastructure and achieving self-reliance in defence. He highlighted initiatives such as positive indigenization lists and allocating 75% of the defence capital procurement budget for domestic industries. Singh emphasized India’s aspiration to become self-reliant in defence manufacturing and showcased the growth in defence exports.
He emphasized India’s enhanced global standing under Prime Minister Modi’s dynamic leadership. He highlighted India’s influential voice on international platforms and stressed the importance of coordination with major world powers, particularly the United States and Russia, to safeguard India’s security interests in a globalized world.
Singh also highlighted the growing defence cooperation between India and the United States, encompassing areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber, space, and mutual logistics support. He referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the US as a landmark event that has ushered in a new era of bilateral defence cooperation.
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Updated: 26 Jun 2023, 05:37 PM IST