Asserting a proactive shift in India’s approach vis-à-vis Pakistan’s export of terror to the country, the Government on Wednesday said that Islamabad would have to pay “a severe cost” if it continued with its cross-border terrorism.
Against the backdrop of rising border skirmishes and Pakistan’s continued violation of the line of Control (loC), the Government maintained that “times have changed” and India was no longer ready to “suffer in silence” in its dealing with the terrorism sponsored by the neighbouring nation.
In a television interview, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley explained the ‘new approachRs of his Government saying, “The proactive approach is, if you indulge in terrorism in India and kill people across the border, then there is a cost involved and you will have to pay a price for it. I think that the policy of the Government of India is extremely clear.”
He also hit out at Pakistan for consistently violating the 2003 ceasefires saying the “de facto violation has become de jure violation”.
“The new normal is that India doesn’t accept that Pakistan can keep sending terrorists and keep inflicting injury on India. If they do that then costs are going to be much heavier,” Jaitley said.
He was asked about the “new normal” in Indo-Pak ties after the recent tensions.
“The 2003 ceasefire is being violated by Pakistan. After all what is terrorismIJ You train people, you smuggle them in. Today, de facto violation has become de jure violation. We have suffered enough in silence and we have been taking just some diplomatic initiatives. I think times have now changed and the Government of India has a more proactive approach,” he told NDTV.
He said the internal turmoil in Pakistan has further made its position precarious. “We paid a price in Uri and in Pathankot. But it was a one-sided price. Today the cost Pakistan has to pay is far heavier and Pakistan is in a very precarious situation as far as their own Government, democracy and civil-military relationships are concerned. Therefore, the cost involved for Pakistan is extremely severe,” Jaitley said.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh told reporters that the NDA Government will do everything possible to counter the shelling and do the needful to protect the honour of the country. “We will do whatever necessary action should be taken to protect the honour and prestige of the country,” he said when asked about the continuous shelling from across the border in Jammu region.
Asked about the strategy to counter the Pakistani shelling towards civilian areas, Singh said he has already spoken to Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti about the safety of people living along the border. “Strategy is strategy. It cannot be disclosed,” he said.
Asked how India was retaliating to Pakistani firing, the Home Minister said, “Ask the neighbour”. On the possibility of revival of the hotline between Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers to de-escalate tension along the border, Singh said, “let them (Pakistan) be prepared first for that”.