‘India Would’ve Given Larger Package to Pakistan If…’: Rajnath Singh

New Delhi: In a fiery address at an election rally on Sunday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a pointed attack on Pakistan , asserting that India would have offered a more substantial bailout to its neighbor had Islamabad fostered better relations with New Delhi. 

Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's announcement of a ₹90,000 crore development package for Jammu and Kashmir in 2014-15, Singh highlighted that this amount far exceeds Pakistan 's current request from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “If we had good relations, we would have given more money than the IMF,” Singh stated, referencing former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's remark that while countries can change friends, they cannot change neighbors.

Singh condemned Pakistan for allegedly misusing international financial aid to support terrorism, asserting, “Pakistan seeks money from other countries to run a terror factory on its soil.” He emphasized the Indian government's commitment to the development of Jammu and Kashmir, contrasting it with Pakistan's history of financial misconduct.

The Defence Minister expressed confidence that Kashmir could once again become a “paradise on earth” if the principles of “Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat, and Kashmiriyat” were restored, echoing Vajpayee’s vision for the region.

Further, Singh reiterated India's resolve to respond decisively to any terrorist threats emanating from Pakistan . “Whenever we have investigated terrorism, we have found Pakistani involvement,” he noted, underscoring the ongoing challenges posed by Pakistan-backed militant groups.

Singh concluded with a strong message about India’s military capabilities, stating, “If anyone in Pakistan carries out an attack on India, we can crossover and respond.”