Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to review its $2.1 billion bailout to debt-ridden nation of Pakistan, as it permits terrorists to utilize its territory for executing state-backed attacks on Indian citizens.
The IMF provided the financial support Pakistan received as the Indian military, under Operation Sindoor, executed strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). At that period, Pakistan was engaged in executing drone and missile attacks on both civilian and military regions in northern India.
While speaking to Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel at Bhuj IAF station in Gujarat, the Defence Minister stated that the IMF’s assistance to Pakistan represents a type of indirect financing for terrorism.
This military facility was also attacked by Pakistani missiles and drones, but all were intercepted by India’s strong air defense system.
“Any financial support to Pakistan is actually terror funding. The IMF should reconsider its decision,” Rajnath Singh said.
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Rajnath delivered the speech while standing in front of a Jaguar deep-penetration strike fighter and an S-125 Pechora surface-to-air missile system. The Bhuj IAF base was reported to be one of the key airfields from which many long-range strike operations against Pakistan originated.
The IMF released $2.1 billion to Pakistan in two installments through its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program. The international financial institution and Pakistan finalized a $7 billion agreement under the EFF last year.
The Defence Minister praised the IAF for demonstrating to the world via Operation Sindoor that it can access every part of Pakistan, wherever terrorism hides.
‘Picture abhi baaki hai’
Stating that Operation Sindoor is still ongoing, he delivered a serious warning to Pakistan. “This was just the trailer, picture abhi baaki hai … When the right moment arrives, we will show the full picture to the world. We have placed Pakistan on probation,”Rajnath stated that if its conduct improves, then fine; otherwise, it will face the toughest punishment.”
The Defence Minister also emphasized that weapons and arms produced in India are now integral to India’s military strength. “Even Pakistan has also accepted the strength of the BrahMos missile. The world witnessed the strength of India’s indigeonus arms. Its resonance was not confined to India’s borders; the whole world listened. There is a traditional saying – ‘din mein taare dekhna’. The ‘Made-in-India’ BrahMos missile demonstrated ‘daylight in the darkness of night’ to Pakistan, Rajnath Singh stated.
