After Losing Twice, Pakistan Resorting To Proxy War Against India: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Commenting on the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the changing equation in Afghanistan has come out as a challenge for India.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (File Pic)

Wellington: Launching a blistering attack on Pakistan for resorting to proxy war against India, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said terrorism has become an integral part of Islamabad’s state policy.

“After losing two wars, one of our neighbouring countries has started resorting to proxy war and terrorism has become an integral part of its state policy,” said Singh.

READ: PM Modi's First Reaction On Afghanistan Crisis, Says Hundreds Of Friends Are Being Brought Back

 “It has started targeting India by providing arms, funds, and training to terrorists,” he added without explicitly naming Pakistan.

Speaking at the Defence Service Staff College in Wellington, Tamil Nadu, Singh said “despite challenges at our borders, the countrymen today are confident that there will be no comprised with India's national security”.

“The belief that India would not only end terrorism on its own land but also not hesitate to conduct counter-terrorism operations on their land if needed is gradually becoming stronger,” he added, ANI reported.

The Defence Minister also used the occasion “to salute the armed forces who defeated the neighbour (Pakistan) which has been targeting our nation”.

“If a ceasefire (between India and Pakistan) is successful today, it is because of our strength. In 2016, cross-border strikes changed our reactionary mindset into a proactive mindset, which was further strengthened by the Balakot airstrike in 2019,” he said.

Commenting on the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the changing equation in Afghanistan has come out as a challenge for India.

"The changing equation in Afghanistan is a challenge for us. These situations have forced our country to rethink its strategy. We are changing our strategy and the formation of QUAD underlines this strategy," said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh while addressing the Defence Services Staff Colleges. 

Defence Ministry is very seriously considering the formation of Integrated Battle Groups amid these developments, he added.