‘IMF should reconsider loan to Pakistan': Rajnath Singh in terror funding warning
Rajnath Singh opposed IMF financial aid to Pakistan, claiming it could support terrorism. He called for the IMF to reassess its decision.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Friday called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reconsider its $1-billion assistance to Pakistan, warning that such aid could end up funding terrorist organisations operating from its soil.
Rajnath Singh was addressing Indian Air Force personnel in Gujarat's Bhuj air force station, which was one of the installations targeted by the Pakistan military last week.
“The IMF aid will be used to fund these terrorist organisations. Pakistan should not be given any financial aid, or it will fund terror. We want the IMF to think over again,” Rajnath Singh said, issuing a sharp statement that underscores India’s concerns over global financing being misused to support cross-border terrorism.
Last week, the IMF approved a $1 billion bailout for Pakistan — a decision that triggered strong criticism from India amid heightened military tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Despite India’s objections, the IMF executive board cleared the second tranche of a $7 billion loan package, citing Islamabad’s solid implementation of reforms and signs of ongoing economic recovery. The IMF also announced its continued support for Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen its economy against “climate vulnerabilities and natural disasters", with an additional $1.4 billion in funding expected in the future.
India, however, issued a sharply worded statement expressing deep reservations over the IMF’s move. New Delhi questioned the effectiveness of such financial support, pointing to Pakistan’s “poor track record” in enforcing reforms. More critically, it raised the alarm over the risk of these funds being diverted towards “state-sponsored cross-border terrorism” — an accusation Islamabad has consistently denied.
Rajnath Singh's visit to Bhuj comes a day after he travelled to Jammu and Kashmir and reviewed the overall security situation along the Line of Control and International Border.
"Leaving New Delhi for Bhuj (Gujarat). Looking forward to interact with our courageous Air Warriors at Bhuj Air Force Station," Singh said in a social media post.
During his visit to an airbase in Srinagar on Thursday, Rajnath Singh said Pakistan has been deceiving India, and it must stop sheltering anti-India and terrorist organisations and not allow its land to be used against India.
He added that Pakistan has reached a state where it has sought loan from the IMF, while India falls in the category of those countries which provide funds to the IMF so that they can help poor countries.
At Badami Bagh Cantt in Srinagar, the Union minister congratulated the troops on the success of Operation Sindoor. Singh also highlighted India's firm stance against terrorism, evident in its refusal to be intimidated by Pakistan's repeated nuclear threats, which have been issued irresponsibly on several occasions.
In his first interaction with troops after Operation Sindoor, he said the operation has sent a loud and clear message to the terrorist organisations hiding in Pakistan and their masters that they are not safe anywhere.
