New Delhi: During a speech in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh strongly criticized Pakistan’s economic situation and its reliance on foreign financial aid, especially from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
This visit was his first to the region after Operation Sindoor and included strategic military briefings and morale-boosting engagements with frontline soldiers. Mr. Singh remarked, ‘What can I say about Pakistan? After persistently pleading for assistance, that nation finds itself in a state where one could say the line of beggars starts wherever Pakistan stands.’
His comments came after the IMF disbursed an additional $1.023 billion to Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), bringing the total disbursed under the current program to around $2.1 billion.
He contrasted this by stating, ‘You must have heard, they have once again approached the International Monetary Fund for funds, while India is among the nations that contribute to the IMF to assist poorer countries.’
On May 7, India conducted precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure across the border, to which Pakistan responded with attempts to strike Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. India retaliated on May 10, targeting eight Pakistani airbases with long-range missiles and other weaponry.
This exchange concluded with a ceasefire agreement reached through discussions between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) from both countries on the afternoon of May 10. Defence officials in India updated the Defence Minister on these developments during his visit to the XV Corps headquarters in Srinagar.
