Gurez, Bandipora District, September 29, 2024 – In a striking statement made during an election rally in the Gurez assembly segment of Bandipora district, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that India would have provided a larger bailout package to Pakistan than the one sought from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) if the neighboring country had maintained friendly relations with New Delhi.
Addressing a gathering of enthusiastic supporters, Singh highlighted the stark contrast between India’s developmental aid to Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan’s misuse of financial assistance. He referred to the Prime Minister’s development package for Jammu and Kashmir, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014-15, which has now reached ₹90,000 crore. This amount, Singh emphasized, is significantly larger than the bailout package Pakistan sought from the IMF.
A Missed Opportunity for Pakistan
Singh’s remarks underscored the missed opportunities for Pakistan due to its strained relations with India. He invoked former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s famous statement, “We can change friends but we cannot change the neighbours,” to emphasize the importance of maintaining amicable ties with neighboring countries. Singh lamented that Pakistan’s persistent support for terrorism and its antagonistic stance towards India have prevented the two nations from fostering a cooperative relationship.
“I said, my Pakistani friends, why have strained relations? We are neighbours. If we had good relations, we would have given more money than the IMF,” Singh stated, highlighting the potential for greater financial assistance if Pakistan had chosen a path of friendship and cooperation.
India’s Commitment to Jammu and Kashmir
Singh also took the opportunity to highlight India’s commitment to the development of Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed out that the Centre has consistently provided substantial financial aid to the region for its development, contrasting this with Pakistan’s misuse of international financial assistance. “The Centre gives money to Jammu and Kashmir for development while Pakistan has been misusing financial aid for a long time,” Singh remarked.
He further criticized Pakistan for seeking money from other countries to fund terrorism. “It seeks money from other countries to run a terrorism factory on its soil,” Singh added, emphasizing the detrimental impact of Pakistan’s actions on regional stability.
The Dream of a Peaceful Kashmir
Singh expressed optimism about the future of Jammu and Kashmir, envisioning a return to peace and prosperity in the region. He invoked Vajpayee’s vision of restoring “Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat, and Kashmiriyat” (humanity, democracy, and Kashmiri culture) in the valley. “Kashmir will again become a paradise on earth when Vajpayee’s dream is achieved,” Singh stated, reflecting the government’s commitment to restoring normalcy and development in the region.
Pakistan’s Isolation on the Global Stage
The Defence Minister also highlighted Pakistan’s growing isolation on the international stage due to its continued support for terrorism. He noted that even some of Pakistan’s traditional allies have distanced themselves from its stance. “Pakistan, which has used terrorism as a tool against India, has been isolated at international forums with some of its trusted allies also stepping back,” Singh observed.
He cited the example of Turkey, which has traditionally supported Pakistan but did not mention Kashmir at the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session. This, Singh suggested, is indicative of Pakistan’s diminishing influence and credibility on the global stage.
A Strong Message to Pakistan
Singh’s speech also carried a strong message to Pakistan regarding India’s resolve to combat terrorism. He reiterated that India is capable of responding to any aggression from across the border. “India is strong enough that it can take on Pakistan on its soil. If anyone in Pakistan carries out an attack on India, we can crossover and respond,” Singh warned.
He also mentioned the frustration in Pakistan following the revocation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Singh accused Pakistan of attempting to revive terrorism in the region in response to this move. “Pakistan is frustrated after the revocation of Article 370 and is making attempts to revive terror. They do not want democracy to take roots here,” Singh stated.
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Neeraj Tiwari