Ahead of the last phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh claimed that India could have offered Pakistan a larger bailout package than what Islamabad is currently seeking from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) if the neighboring country had maintained amicable relations with New Delhi.
Addressing a election rally in the Gurez assembly segment of Bandipora district on Sunday, Singh highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development package for Jammu and Kashmir, which was announced in 2014-15.
“Modi ji in 2014-15 announced a special package for development of Jammu and Kashmir which has now reached Rs 90,000 crore. The amount is much bigger than what Pakistan was seeking from the IMF (as bailout package),” the senior BJP leader said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh cited former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s famous remark, saying, “we can change friends but we cannot change the neighbours”.
“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,” he added.
He further said that the Indian government is providing funds for the development of Jammu and Kashmir, while Pakistan has been misusing foreign aid for years. “It seeks money from other countries to run a terrorism factory on its soil,” he asserted.
Expressing optimism, Singh said Kashmir would once again become a “paradise on earth” when former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision of restoring “Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat, and Kashmiriyat” in the valley is fulfilled.
Singh also accused Pakistan of using terrorism as a tool against India, noting that the country has become isolated on the global stage, with even some of its closest allies stepping back. He said every investigation into terrorism has pointed to Pakistan’s involvement, despite India’s repeated efforts to persuade it to shut down terror camps.
The defence minister said Kashmir will again become a paradise on earth when Vajpayee’s dream of restoring “Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat” in the valley is achieved.
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“Pakistan is frustrated after revocation of Article 370 and is making attempts to revive terror. They do not want democracy to take roots here. (But) 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,” he said.
Campaigning for the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir’s Assembly elections concludes today, with polls scheduled for October 1. The first phase was held on September 18 and the second on September 25, marking the region’s first elections in a decade. Results will be announced on October 8.