A year after the Balakot strikes, do you notice any change in Pakistan’s terror policy?
International pressure has been built on Pakistan. It is forced to take action against homegrown terror outfits. [The Jamaat-udDawa chief] Hafiz Saeed has been given a prison sentence. Action has also been taken against Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar.
Will Pakistan ever give up using terrorism for strategic advantage?
If this is Pakistan’s strategy, then it is a failed strategy. It is due to terrorism that it is facing so many problems at the international level. The Financial Action Task Force has kept Pakistan on its grey list and warned that it can go into the blacklist soon. It is proving to be a disadvantage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that if a war takes place, India can defeat Pakistan in 7-10 days. On what basis does he say that?
That question would arise only if Pakistan had ever won a war. All four times—1948, 1965, 1971 and in the Kargil War of 1999— Pakistan lost to India. So where is the doubt whether India will win? Today, we have moved much ahead in capabilities. I would say the result is pre-declared. This is not just my claim, the international community agrees with it.
How is the preparedness of our armed forces?
The morale is upbeat. Their biggest strength is that they are upbeat and rational at the same time. On both India-China and India-Pakistan borders, they maintain a rational approach. Whenever there is a face-off on the India-China border, the Chinese army and our own forces do not allow the confrontation to escalate. Even during ceasefire violations on the India-Pakistan border, our instructions are clear. The first bullet will not be fired by us; but if we are shot at, the forces are free to fire. They do not have to wait for directions from the government.
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