Bailout package to Pakistan: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India would have given Pakistan a bigger relief package than the one sought from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) if the neighbouring country had maintained friendly relations with India. Addressing an election rally in Gurez assembly constituency of Bandipora district, Singh referred to the Prime Minister's Development Package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Jammu and Kashmir in 2014-15.

The senior BJP leader said, "Modi ji had announced a special package for the development of Jammu and Kashmir in 2014-15 which has now reached Rs 90,000 crore. This amount is much more than the amount sought by Pakistan from the IMF (as a relief package)." Singh quoted former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's famous statement that ‘we can change friends, but cannot change neighbours’

He said, "I said, my Pakistani friends, why do we have strained relations, we are neighbours. If we had good relations, we would have given more money from the IMF." Singh said that the Centre gives funds to Jammu and Kashmir for development while Pakistan has been misusing the financial aid for a long time. He said, "It asks for money from other countries to run a factory of terrorism on its soil."

'...then Kashmir will once again become heaven on earth'

The Defence Minister said Kashmir will once again become heaven on earth when Vajpayee's dream of restoring "Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat" in the Valley is realised. Singh said Pakistan, which has been using terrorism as a weapon against India, has been isolated at international forums and some of its trusted allies have also backed off.

'Pakistan is desperate after the removal of Article 370'

He said, 'Whenever we have investigated terrorism, we have found Pakistan's involvement. Our governments have tried to convince Pakistan that they should close down terror camps, but to no avail. After the removal of Article 370, Pakistan is desperate and is trying to revive terror. They do not want democracy to take root here. (But) India is so strong that it can fight Pakistan on its soil. If someone from Pakistan attacks India, we can respond across the border.' Singh said that Pakistan is now isolated. He said, 'Even Turkiye, which used to support Pakistan, did not mention Kashmir in the United Nations General Assembly.' The BJP leader said that ever since his party's government came to power at the Centre, peace has returned to Jammu and Kashmir. He said, 'The business of terrorism is not going to last long now.'

'Now electricity is being supplied 24 hours a day in the area, internet towers have been installed'

Reiterating the promises made in the BJP's election manifesto, Singh said, "As the defence minister, I assure you that if (BJP candidate) Faqir Mohammad Khan wins, more people from Gurez will be recruited in the Indian Army." He said the biggest demand of Gurez is the construction of a tunnel through the Razdan Pass, which will enable all-weather connectivity with the rest of the country. He said now the area is being supplied with 24x7 electricity, and internet towers have been installed. The roads have become better than before and they will be made even better. He said, "As the defence minister of the country, I assure you that after the elections, I will bring the concerned minister here to discuss the issue."