New Delhi: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said today that talks and terror can’t go together, in reference to cross-border terror attacks.
India had announced a ceasefire in J&K over Ramzan, a move which was applauded by the Mehbooba government.
India and Pakistan troops exchanged fire on Sunday leading to the death of 2 BSF soldiers on Sunday after agreeing to the 2003 ceasefire agreement.
Addressing a press conference, Sitharam said the government had consulted with the Indian Army about the ceasefire.
“We respect the ceasefire,” Sitharaman said, adding that India “won’t stop if provoked.”
“We will respond if Pakistan does not honour the ceasefire,” the defence minister added.
On the state of India’s defence forces, Sitharaman said maximum defence spending in a decade had happened last year.
“There is no real cash crush for the forces,” she said.
MoD’s role isn’t to asses whether it was successful or not. It’s our business to guard the border & we won’t stop if we’re provoked. We shall be alert that no unprovoked attack goes without us responding. It’s our duty to keep India safe, She said.
