NEW DELHI, Sept 27: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said India remains prepared to take action against terrorism if Pakistan continues what he described as a “state policy of terrorism”, while asserting that there would be no compromise on the country’s national security.
Addressing the NDTV Defence Conclave, Singh said India believes in peace and does not seek war or the territory of any other country. However, he stressed that maintaining peace should not be confused with compromising on security.
“India wants peace, but India will not compromise on its security under any circumstances,” Singh said.
The Defence Minister said India supports dialogue with other countries, but argued that dialogue cannot continue with a country that provides support or shelter to terrorism directed against India.
Issuing a message to Pakistan, Singh said, “As long as our neighbour continues the state policy of terrorism, India is completely ready for every kind of strike against terrorism.”
Singh also said India’s military operations and international cooperation would be guided by national interests. He added that the country seeks global stability and cooperation while maintaining its strategic autonomy.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, Singh said countries that support terrorism must be made to understand that terrorism cannot be treated as a strategic asset.
On India’s position in the changing global order, Singh also referred to the concept of the “Thucydides Trap”, which describes potential conflict between a rising power and an established dominant power.
He said the framework did not accurately describe India’s position, arguing that India should be viewed as a “civilizational power” rather than simply as either a status-quo or revisionist power.
Singh’s remarks come amid renewed exchanges between India and Pakistan at international forums over terrorism and security.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi had called for dismantling the broader ecosystem supporting terrorism, including its financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also criticised Pakistan at the UN General Assembly, saying India’s right to defend itself against terrorism would be exercised.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had raised the Kashmir issue during his UNGA address and spoken about the 2025 conflict between India and Pakistan. India has maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and has rejected Pakistan’s references to the issue at international forums.
