New Delhi: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh while addressing Late Balram Das Tandon Memorial Lecture on national security on Monday said that the inability to wage a direct war against India forced Pakistan to work on the policy of giving 'death of thousand cuts' to India.
Referring to the 1965 and 1971 war between Indian and Pakistan, Defence Minister while speaking at the event said that Pakistan has made several attempts to create an atmosphere of instability within India but their defeat in these wars completely proved that they are not in a position to do full-scale war with India.
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He further said that earlier this year in February, a ceasefire agreement was signed between the DGMO of India and Pakistan.
"We are in 'wait and watch mode' because of the trust deficit between the two countries. There has been no ceasefire violation along the border since the recent ceasefire agreement."
"Be it the surgical strikes after the Uri incident or the Balakot airstrikes after the Pulwama attack, the Indian Army's stern action against terrorism is not found at least in the history of independent India," Rajnath Singh explained, adding that the bravery, valour and restraint shown by Indian Army is incomparable and the future generations will also be proud of those brave soldiers
Speaking over the terrorism situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Defence Minister stressed that the abrogation of Articles 370 will pave the way for peace and stability in the union territory.
"I believe that terrorism in Kashmir will end. I have this belief because the strength that the separatist forces used to get there due to Article 370 and 35A is over now," Singh said.
The union minister also said that work is underway on many infrastructure projects in both Ladakh and North East. These projects are not just infrastructure projects but are an important part of the National Security Grid.