In a fresh attack on Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said India was ready to cooperate to stop terrorism if the neighbouring country "feels incapable". In an interview to ANI, Rajnath Singh also warned that Pakistan would have to suffer consequences if it tries to destabilise India using terrorism.
"If Pakistan feels incapable, India is ready to cooperate to stop terrorism," the Defence Minister said.
In the interview, Rajnath Singh also spoke about the Emergency period during the Indira Gandhi era. The veteran BJP leader recalled how he was not even given parole during his mother's demise.
"I was not given parole to attend my mother's last rites during the Emergency, and now they (Congress) call us dictators," Rajnath Singh said.
The remarks on Pakistan come days after Rajnath Singh, in an interview with a TV channel, said India won't hesitate in entering the country to kill terrorists who escape by crossing the border.
The Defence Minister's remarks came in response to a report in The Guardian that claimed the Indian government carried out "targeted killings" in Pakistan since 2020 in a bid to eliminate terrorists.
In the interview, Rajnath Singh said that if terrorists tried to disturb peace in India, then "ghus ke maarenge (We will enter Pakistan and attack them)".
However, Singh maintained that India never attacked any country.
"India has never attacked any country or tried to capture their territory. But if anyone threatens India or its peace, they will not be spared," he said.
Pakistan was quick to pounce on Singh's remarks, calling them "provocative". Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said such rhetoric only "impedes the prospects of constructive engagement in the long term".
"History attests to Pakistan's firm resolve and ability to protect and defend itself," the ministry further said in a statement
