‘Pak waging proxy war against India’
PUNE:UNION defence minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday accused Pakistan of waging a “proxy” war against India, as it had realised that it cannot win a “conventional” one.
Addressing the passing out parade of the 137th course at National Defence Academy in Pune, Singh said: “After 1948, 1964, 1971, and 1999 wars, Pakistan has realised that they cannot win a conventional or limited war against India. In the form of terrorism, Pakistan has chosen the road of proxy war against India.”
India has never had any extraterritorial ambitions and the country had desisted from interfering in other country’s business. “We are committed to the sovereignty and security of the people of the country. But if someone runs terror camps on their soil or is involved in an attack, we know how to give a befitting reply,” said Singh, while praising the 2016 Uri surgical strike and the 2019 Balakot air strike carried out by the Indian armed forces.
The Indian Army is not only capable of protecting the borders of the country, but it is also capable of taking action across the borders, he said.
Speaking about how terrorism has become a global threat, Singh said, “We have seen attacks like 9/11 in the US and 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The Indian Army, CRPF and police forces have time and again foiled attacks by the enemy state,” he said.
Addressing the cadres, he said, “When you become a part of the Indian defence system, you also resolve to safeguard the Indian Constitution. Resolving to protect the Constitution is a common thread that connects military leadership to civilian leadership.”
Singh assured that apart from working on deployment, the government is also working on defence development and diplomacy. “By choosing to join the culture of security of this nation, you have fulfilled your true duty to this country,” he added.
A total of 284 cadets graduated from Academy as they passed through the portals of prestigious Khetrapal Parade ground. There were 188 Army cadets, 38 Naval cadets, 37 Airforce and 20 cadets from friendly foreign countries. The foreign cadets belonged to Bhutan, Tajikistan, Maldives, Vietnam, Mauritius , Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.