Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Jun 13: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday strongly criticised Pakistan's alleged support for terrorism and asserted that India would not allow the waters of the Indus river system to benefit those who sponsor terror activities.
Addressing an Intellectuals Meet organised by the Telangana BJP in Hyderabad, Singh said the NDA government had demonstrated through Operation Sindoor that it knows how to respond to forces that do not understand the language of peace and harmony.
Referring to the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, he said India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty sent a clear message to Pakistan.
“After the Pahalgam terror attack, by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, we said that those whose tears have dried up should not expect water from us. We will not allow the waters of the Sindhu to reach the patrons of terrorists and enemies of humanity,” Singh said.
His remarks echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier statement that “blood and water cannot flow together” following the terror attack.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan on September 19, 1960, governs the sharing and utilisation of waters from the Indus river system. India placed the treaty in abeyance after the Pahalgam attack, stating that it would remain suspended until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably ended its support for cross-border terrorism.
Highlighting the NDA government's achievements over the past 12 years, Singh cited the abrogation of Article 370, progress in tackling Naxalism, implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), nationwide electrification initiatives and reforms in the justice system.
“There was a time when Congress leaders claimed that no one could abolish Article 370. But our government removed it with ease,” he said.
The defence minister said that Jammu and Kashmir, once primarily associated with terrorism and unrest, was now witnessing significant growth in tourism, investment and employment opportunities.
“The national flag is flying proudly at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. Krishna Janmashtami is being celebrated there, Muharram processions are being conducted peacefully, and cinema halls that remained closed for decades have reopened,” he said.
Singh maintained that the government's policies had helped bring normalcy and development to the region while strengthening national unity and security.