New Delhi : Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during his visit to the Badami Bagh Cantonment in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Singh, who interacted with troops during his visit, emphasised that Pakistan’s repeated and irresponsible nuclear threats demand global scrutiny, suggesting the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should oversee Islamabad’s nuclear arsenal.
“…I ask the entire world if nuclear weapons are safe in the hands of such an irresponsible and rogue nation. I believe that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons should be taken under the supervision of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)..,” the defence minister said. His remarks came just days after Prime Minister Modi issued a stern warning on Tuesday, declaring, “When our armed forces neutralise nuclear blackmail, our enemies realise the meaning of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.”
Singh arrived in Srinagar five days after India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire, and was received by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi at the airport. In a powerful address from the Valley, Singh underscored India’s unwavering resolve in the fight against terrorism. Before being your Defence Minister, I am an Indian citizen. Besides being the Defence Minister, I am here to express gratitude to you as an Indian citizen,” Singh said while addressing the soldiers.
He further clarified that no dialogue with Pakistan will be possible unless it focuses solely on terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In his first visit to the Union Territory since India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, the Defence Minister will also review overall situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Commending their courage, high morale, and alertness, he praised their steadfast efforts in maintaining dominance along the Line of Control during Operation Sindoor. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Punjab’s Adampur air base on Tuesday and met with the pilots and support staff who carried out Operation Sindoor in which India took out nine terror targets deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir on May 7.
Adampur was one of the four Indian Air Force stations that was targeted by Pakistan on the intervening night of May 9-10 after India struck their terror camps. Villages along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir were among the worst hit in the recently-concluded four-day armed conflict between the two sides.