Situation in Afghanistan matter of concern, India on alert: Rajnath
Darpan News Desk IANS, 30 Aug, 2021 11:35 AM
New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) The deteriorating situation in neighbouring Afghanistan is of concern, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday.
Delivering the Balramji Das Tandon seminar on 'National Security', he said: "Whatever is happening in the neighbouring Afghanistan raises concern with regards to the security apparatus. Our government is monitoring the evolving situation in the country."
He also stressed that the government wants security of Indians and also ensure that no cross-border terror activities could take place, taking a cue from the ongoing situation in Afghanistan.
About the challenges India could face amid the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, Rajnath Singh 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."
After Taliban took over Kabul on August 15, Afghanistan has plunged into a big humanitarian crisis. Pakistan is perceived as having played a major role in bringing the Taliban back to power. As evacuation of foreign nationals winds down, a US missile defence system intercepted rockets fired towards the Kabul international airport.
The minister also said that India is prepared to deal with any eventualities in a bid to secure its sovereignty.
"Our objective is to make India, a prosperous, strong and secure country."
He said that India does not threaten other countries but seeks to instill in them a sense of faith and trust that a strong India is not a threat for them.
About the border dispute with China, he said that there was an attempt to change the status quo unilaterally but "the Narendra Modi government has clearly given direction not to compromise on such an issue".
Most experts believe India’s official toll of 414,000 dead was a vast undercount, but the government has dismissed those concerns. A report released Tuesday estimates excess deaths to be 3 million to 4.7 million between January 2020 and this June.
Rejecting all opposition to his elevation, Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi appointed Navjot Singh Sidhu as the party's new Punjab unit President along with four Working Presidents.
Calling the reports of alleged snooping on prominent citizens using Israeli Pegasus spyware as "baseless", the ruling BJP on Monday said there is not a single shred of evidence so far that links either the central government or the party to this controversy.
Congress MPs from both Houses had met on Sunday afternoon at Rajya Sabha member Pratap Singh Bajwa's residence to discuss the issues related to Punjab and sought an appointment with Gandhi.
Apart from reviewing the security arrangements in the national capital, the Delhi Police have also strengthened the security in and around the Red Fort ahead of the Independence Day.
Police said acting on a specific information, Budgam Police along with the Army's 53 RR and 43 BN of the CRPF arrested one local terrorist linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT and recovered incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including one Chinese pistol, one magazine, eight live pistol rounds from his possession.
