Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (June 10, 2025) expressed shock over a recent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) decision to name Pakistan as the vice-chair of its counter-terrorism committee, stating that it raised serious questions on the intentions and policies of the international organisations.
Stating that the same committee had been set up after the 9/11 terror attacks in the U.S., he said Pakistan had sheltered the mastermind of that attack. “Its land has been used as a refuge by global terrorist organisations. There, terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar roam around openly, and senior officers of Pakistan Army attend the funerals of terrorists. Now, the same country is expected to lead the global community against terrorism. This raises serious questions on the intentions and policies of the international system,” he said at an event in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun, also attended by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
The Defence Minister called upon the global community/organisations such as United Nations to think on issues like terrorism “more seriously”, noting that the goal of global peace, progress, and prosperity could be achieved only by ending terrorism. He said the common people of Pakistan were of the same view, but the “rulers” there had put that country on the path of destruction, said a government release.
‘Stop funding Pak.’
Mr. Singh urged the international community to stop foreign funding to Pakistan, saying: “Funding Pakistan means funding the infrastructure of terrorism.” He said the international community should put strategic, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Pakistan to deal with terrorism.
The Defence Minister said that under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the past 11 years, there was a decisive shift in the approach towards issues of national security. “…and the world witnessed this shift during Operation Sindoor,” he said.
‘PoK will join us’
Following the removal of special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan could not tolerate peace and progress in J&K and carried out the terror attack in Pahalgam, he said. “Despite Pakistan’s best efforts, it has not been able to stop development in Kashmir. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway link is a shining example of the government’s relentless pursuit of progress in J&K. Soon, PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) will join us and say ‘I, too, am Bharat’,” he said.
He advised Pakistan to seek India’s help if it was unable to take action against terrorism on its soil, stating that the Indian armed forces were capable of executing counter-terror operations on either side of the border.
About the growth in domestic defence sector, Mr. Singh said it was now one of the strongest pillars of a self-reliant India. From ₹2.53 lakh crore in 2013-14, the defence budget increased to ₹6.22 lakh crore in 2024-25, with 75% of the budget reserved for capital procurement from domestic companies. Ten positive indigenisation lists, comprising over 5,500 items, were issued.
“Our indigenous missiles such as Agni, Prithvi, and BrahMos stand ready to give a befitting reply to the enemy. We also have the strength to build aircraft carriers such as INS Vikrant,” he said.
Mr. Singh said the annual defence production – worth about ₹40,000 crore in 2014 – had now crossed ₹1.30 lakh crore; exports shot up to ₹23,622 crore in 2024-25 from ₹686 crore in 2014. “We have set a target of ₹1.75 lakh crore defence production this year and ₹3 lakh crore by 2029. Our defence exports should reach ₹30,000 crore this year, and ₹50,000 crore by 2029,” said the Defence Minister.
‘Stop spread of lies’
Concerned over the growing information warfare, he urged people to become “social soldiers by identifying lies, stopping rumours, and spreading awareness in society”. During Operation Sindoor, he said, Pakistan used fake videos, manipulated news, and social media posts in a bid to spread misinformation. “Even though military actions have been stopped, information warfare is still going on… the government is working on cyber security at its level, but every citizen needs to be the ‘first responder’,” said Mr. Singh.
He said the media should also accord priority to accuracy rather than vying to be “ahead”. “Journalism is not just a profession but a national duty. It informs while keeping us alert and vigilant towards the security of the country. Free and healthy journalism is a stabilising force that makes the society alert, unites it, and spreads consciousness,” he said.
Published – June 10, 2025 11:38 pm IST
