Defense Minister Rajnath Singh today said India has no extra-territorial ambitions but asked the armed forces to be alert against Pakistan 'which pursues terrorism as a matter of state policy'.
Addressing the Passing Out Parade of the Indian Military Academy here as the reviewing officer, Rajnath asked the cadets commissioned into the armed forces today to take the message of service and peace to the world but be prepared to deal with a neighbour like Pakistan.
'Despite suffering defeat at the hands of India in several wars, Pakistan continues to pursue terrorism as a matter of state policy. Non-state actors in Pakistan are so strong that those in the political centre stage look no more than mere puppets in their hands,' Rajnath said.
'History bears evidence to the fact that India does not have extra-territorial ambitions. It believes in friendly relations with its neighbours. But we have to be ready to deal with a neighbour like Pakistan,' he said.
Underlining that the mastermind of 9/11 and the 26/11 perpetrators and their handlers were found in Pakistan, the Defence Minister said, 'The victims of 26/11 will get justice only when the handlers of the terror seige are brought to book.'
