CHANDIGARH: The developments in Afghanistan have created a new security situation for India and are a matter of concern, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday.
“Whatever is happening in neighbouring Afghanistan raises a concern with regards to the security apparatus. Our government is monitoring the evolving situation in the country,” Singh said.
“Security of Indians (still stuck in Afghanistan) is a cause of concern... Our government is also alert so that the anti-India forces do not take advantage of the evolving situation for encouraging cross-border terrorism here,” he said while delivering a lecture on national security as part of Balramji Das Tandon lecture series organised by Panjab University.
Singh said India was prepared to deal with any eventuality in a bid to secure its sovereignty and the government intended to make the country strong so that its smaller neighbours could also feel safe and protected.
The minister laid stress on continuously upgrading and updating the national security system to face new challenges.
Some new threats have emerged because of the development of modern technology, but India was fully prepared to deal with them, he said.
“Our government is alert and ready to deal with all situations. We are always prepared to deal with threats emanating from anywhere — land, air and water.”
Referring to the “trust deficit” between India and Pakistan as “a major problem”, Singh said the neighbouring country understands that it is not in position to do much in Kashmir, especially after the nullification of Article 370.
An effective action by security forces to stop terrorism has been going on for last seven years there.
“The remaining terrorism in Kashmir will also end. I have this belief because the strength and oxygen that the separatist forces used to get there due to Articles 370 and 35A are over now.”
On the LAC standoff, he said India wanted a peaceful solution through dialogue with China, but the government would never compromise on issues of the “country’s borders, its honour and self-respect”.
“We will never allow the sanctity of borders to be violated,” the minister asserted.
‘Pakistan’s border is secure’
Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa assured lawmakers that the country’s borders are secured and his forces are prepared to meet “any” situation, amid the evolving situation in neighbouring Afghanistan.