Talks with Pak only on terrorism, PoK: Rajnath Singh

Nation is proud of our armed forces for scripting a historic victory saga of 'Operation Sindoor' with bravery and avenging Pahalgam terror attack: LG Sinha

16/05/2025

SRINAGAR, May 15: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that any talks with Pakistan will only be on terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The defence minister, who is here on his first visit to Kashmir after Operation Sindoor, said India will soon eradicate terrorism from the region with the help of the armed forces. “Had a wonderful interaction with the brave Indian Army soldiers at the Badami Bagh Cantt in Srinagar. PM Shri @narendramodi has redefined India's policy against terrorism, and any attack on Indian soil will be considered an act of war.
"Terrorism and talks cannot go together; talks with Pakistan will only be held on terrorism and PoK. Operation Sindoor was a commitment demonstrated by India of not just carrying out defence, but taking bold decisions whenever needed," Singh posted on X after interacting with soldiers at the Badami Bagh Cantonment here.
The government and the country's people stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the armed forces at every step, in every situation, he said.
Singh also exuded confidence that with the cooperation of the military, India will soon eradicate terrorism from the region, "so that no one dares to cast an evil eye on the sovereignty of the nation".
During his visit, the defence minister paid homage to the civilians killed in the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, and the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the country following Operation Sindoor.
He also commended the courage of the injured soldiers and wished for their speedy recovery.
Expressing gratitude to the soldiers for the cross-border strikes, Singh said, "I come here today with a message from the people of India -- 'we are proud of our forces'."
He also reiterated the government's commitment to continue equipping the forces with advanced weapons, platforms and modern infrastructure.
"Our government has ensured that our forces are prepared for every situation. Many new-generation equipment, such as modern rifles, missile defence shields and drones, are being rapidly manufactured in India. “Connectivity has been ensured along the LoC (Line of Control) and the LAC (Line of Actual Control) like never before. The government is trying to serve the soldiers for the devotion and readiness with which they serve the country," Singh said.
J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Singh, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and other senior officials of the Indian Army were present during the interaction at the Badami Bagh Cantt.
Rajnath reiterated India's policy against terrorism, which now says that any attack on Indian soil will be considered as an act of war.
Addressing the Indian Army soldiers at Badami Bagh Cantt in Srinagar, the Defence Minister said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has redefined India's policy against terrorism which now says that any attack on Indian soil will be considered as an act of war."
Singh emphasised that India has always prioritised peace and never supported war, however, when its sovereignty is attacked, it is necessary to respond. If Pakistan continues to support terrorism, it will pay a heavier price, he said.
The Defence Minister termed Operation Sindoor as the biggest action taken by India against terrorism in history, and a testament to the nation's commitment to go to any extent to eliminate the menace.
"Operation Sindoor was a commitment demonstrated by India of not just carrying out defence, but taking bold decisions whenever needed. It was a dream of every soldier that we will reach every terrorist hideout and destroy them. Terrorists killed Indians based on their religion, we killed them for their deeds. It was our dharma to eliminate them. Our forces gave the right direction to their anger and took revenge for Pahalgam with great courage and discretion," he said.
Rajnath Singh added that Operation Sindoor has sent a loud and clear message to the terrorist organisations hiding in Pakistan and their masters that they are not safe anywhere. "Our forces have shown to the world that their aim is precise & pin-point and the task of counting is left to the enemies," he said.
The Defence Minister added that India's unwavering resolve against terrorism can be gauged from the fact that it was not deterred by Pakistan's nuclear blackmail, pointing out that the world has witnessed how irresponsibly Islamabad has issued nuclear threats to New Delhi several times.
"I raise this question before the world: Are nuclear weapons safe in the hands of such an irresponsible and rogue nation? Pakistan's nuclear weapons should be taken under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," he said.
Singh stated that through the Pahalgam incident, an attempt was made to break the social unity of India, and the Armed Forces responded to the terror attack by hitting the heart of the adversary. He recalled Pakistan's declaration about 21 years ago in front of the then Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee that terrorism will no longer be exported from its land.
The Union Minister said Pakistan has been deceiving India, and it must stop sheltering anti-India and terrorist organisations and not allow its land to be used against India. He added that Pakistan has reached a state where it has sought loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), while India falls in the category of those countries which provide funds to IMF so that they can help poor countries.
Rajnath Singh reasserted that no unwarranted action should be taken from across the border, which is the base of the understanding reached between the two countries. He reiterated Prime Minister Modi's views that terrorism and talks cannot go together, and if talks are held, it will only be on terrorism and PoK.
Singh paid homage to the innocent civilians who were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam, and the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland during Operation Sindoor. He commended the courage of the injured soldiers and wished for their speedy recovery.
The Defence Minister expressed gratitude to the brave soldiers who destroyed the Pakistani posts and bunkers across the border, sending a clear message to the enemy. "I come here today with a message from the people of India: 'We are proud of our Forces'," he added.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday saluted the valour and courage of Indian Armed Forces and their might and strategic clarity with which they carried out "Operation Sindoor" and gave exemplary punishment to terror planners sitting in Pakistan by dismantling their terror bases and killing top terrorists.
"Nation is proud of our armed forces for scripting a historic victory saga of 'Operation Sindoor' with bravery and avenging Pahalgam terror attack.
'Operation Sindoor' has changed the course of the fight against terror in one focused and measured hit. It has marked a decisive shift in our military doctrine and the entire nation is paying respect and gratitude to the armed forces. 9 major terror camps destroyed, 11 Pakistani air bases hit and high-profile terrorists were eliminated.
Our brave armed forces have not only destroyed the terror factories within Pakistan, but terrorists are now being hunted one by one," the Lieutenant Governor said, pointing out that within a week six terrorists have been neutralised in South Kashmir in the joint operation with the Indian Army.
"It is our resolve to rid J&K UT of terrorism," the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor also reiterated that our brave armed forces will continue to take action to ensure the safety of our citizens and peace and prosperity of the nation. He observed that the bravery of our soldiers in 'Operation Sindoor' is now a part of our great victory tradition.
He said, Pakistan is a terrorist country and now we have also decided that there is no difference between this terrorist country and the mastermind of terrorism sitting there.
"The world has seen that terrorism in J&K Union Territory is engineered and executed by Pakistan and our mighty forces have ensured that now we will enter deep into Pakistan's heartland and kill the terrorists and we will also treat future acts of terror as an act of war.

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