Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said Pakistan must stop its “nefarious activities” if it wants its “own welfare” to be protected.
“If Pakistan wants its own welfare, then it must stop meddling in the affairs of other countries. It must stop all its nefarious activities aimed towards India,” he said addressing a Jan Kalyan Parv in Jammu.
He said India would give a befitting reply to anyone who tried to harm its integrity and trusts its security forces to maintain peace in the country.
“Those who want to harm the pride, integrity and sovereignty of the country will be given a befitting reply. We trust our army, our paramilitary and our forces. No question can be raised on their integrity and love for the country,” he said.
Mr. Singh said India always extended a hand of friendship towards its neighbouring countries, including Pakistan which has always resorted to “backstabbing”.
“Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee extended a hand of friendship towards Pakistan, but it stabbed in the back. Then when Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over the office a year ago, he invited all the heads of the state of the neighbouring countries to the swearing-in ceremony including the Pakistan Prime Minister,” he said.
He said that Pakistan must think over its actions as it has not been reciprocating the positive response of India towards it.
The Home Minister said the government had given open orders to the armed forces, especially the BSF, to respond with all its might to any aggression from across the border.
Mr. Singh also said that it was the response from the Indian side that forced Pakistan to go to the United Nations to request for intervention.
Won’t tolerate those raising pro-Pakistan slogans
Offering a soft stand to those who wish to hold dialogue to discuss all “vexed issues”, he also sent a strong message to separatists saying, those raising pro-Pakistan slogans and waving Pakistani flags on Indian territory will be dealt with severely.
Mr. Singh said: "We are ready to talk to everyone. Democracy is all about keeping open the communication lines, but we won’t tolerate anybody raising pro-Pak slogans and raising Pakistani flags on Indian territory. They will be severely dealt with."
The Home Minister also said he feels pained to see the youth of the State being misguided.
