Rajnath Singh predicts that J&K’s democratic process would start shortly

Rajnath Singh, the defence minister, said on Monday that the armed forces special powers act (AFSPA) has been substantially repealed in the region’s north-east, where enduring peace has returned, and he expressed optimism that Jammu and Kashmir will have a similar outcome. But he steadfastly refused to provide a timeframe.

“We want to restore normalcy to J&K so that the democratic process can begin. People won’t have to wait long, but I’m unable to provide a timeframe, the military minister promised.

Singh said that “national security is our top priority” and that “the government is committed to protecting the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of the country” while speaking at a national security conference to commemorate nine years of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s leadership.

In the last nine years, he said, the nation’s security situation has undergone a fundamental transformation. He said that India’s reputation as a weak country in 2013–14 permitted the country’s foes to cause issues. He continued by saying that the nation can now defeat any danger.

According to Singh, every effort is being made to provide the military with cutting-edge equipment and technology so that they are capable of defending the nation’s borders and maritime areas.

Our aim, he said, is to position our armed forces at the forefront of contemporary armies.

“Pakistan has attempted to undermine national peace and harmony by engaging in cross-border terrorism. However, as soon as we took office, we started taking serious action against terrorists. We demonstrated to the whole world what “zero-tolerance against terrorism” means. The audacious and ground-breaking actions taken to stop terrorists from crossing borders in the wake of the Uri and Pulwama attacks are evidence of India’s zero-tolerance stance against terrorism, he said.

The joint statement released after the meeting between the Prime Minister and US President Joe Biden, the defence minister said, “is an indication of how India has changed the mindset of the world on the issue of terrorism.” Singh said that since harsh measures are being taken against them, the Jammu and Kashmir terrorist network has significantly weakened.

“Funding for terrorism has decreased. The distribution of narcotics and weapons to terrorists has been halted. Work is being done to destroy the terrorists’ network in addition to eliminating the terrorists themselves, he added.

Regarding the repeal of Article 370, he said that the move had brought the residents of the union territory into contact with the rest of the nation and had ushered them into a new age of peace and development.

In reference to Pakistan’s unlawful occupation of Kashmir, he said, “Pakistan does not have a locus standi there. At least three resolutions approved by our Parliament declare that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is a part of India.

The defence minister described the situation with China at the Line of Actual Control as a question of perception between the two countries.

The forces of both nations conduct the patrols in accordance with agreements and norms, he added.

He said that during the 2020 standoff in east Ladakh, the Chinese troops went against established convention and attempted to alter the status quo on the LAC.

“Discussions to settle the conflict are ongoing at the military and diplomatic levels. However, let me reassure the people that the government would always uphold India’s borders, dignity, and self-respect.