Addressing an election rally in Jammu and Kashmir, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that if relations between the two neighbors were better, India would provide more to Pakistan than they do to the International Monetary Fund (IMD) ) requested more funds.
As part of Pakistan’s bailout plan, currently Coping with one of the worst economic crises In its history, The International Monetary Fund recently approved a new $7 billion (approximately Rs. 58,597 crore) loan. Pakistan is the fifth largest debtor to the International Monetary Fund, owing the IMF $6.28 billion and has received 22 bailouts since 1958.
“Modi announces a special Prime Minister’s plan to promote development here [in Jammu and Kashmit] 2014-15. Prime Minister Modi provided a special Prime Minister’s Package for JK in 2014-15. The Prime Minister’s package has now been increased and the amount is so huge that Pakistan has requested from the IMF for less than this,” the defense minister said.
Referring to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s comment “You can change your friends but not your neighbours”, he further asserted, “If there were better relations, we would have given Pakistan more than they offer to the international community. More funding requested by the IMF (International Monetary Fund).”
Rajnath Singh further criticized Islamabad, saying “Pakistan seeks funds from other countries to run terrorist factories on its soil”. He added that whenever relevant agencies investigate terror activities in Kashmir, Pakistan’s involvement is always found.
“Whenever we investigate terrorism, we find Pakistan’s involvement. Our successive governments have tried to make Pakistan understand that they should stop terrorist camps, but to no avail,” news agency PTI quoted the defense minister as saying.
Singh also asserted that Pakistan is now isolated globally. “Even Turkey, which once supported Pakistan, did not mention the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly.”
The defense minister added that Pakistan was “frustrated” by the revocation of Article 370 and was trying to revive terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir, which has seen a series of recent terror attacks.