Priyanka Tiwari
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India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh raised a serious concern during his recent meeting with Netherlands Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans in New Delhi. The primary focus was the continuous supply of dangerous defense equipment by the Netherlands to Pakistan, which could potentially destabilize the South Asian region. Singh expressed his concern over the potential escalation of cross-border terrorism in India, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, due to these supplies.
Weapons Supplied by the Netherlands to Pakistan
The Netherlands has been actively supplying military equipment to Pakistan, including two Alkmaar-class minesweeper warships, which were constructed at the Van der Giesen-de Noord shipyard. In addition to this, a 1900-tonne multi-purpose patrol vessel is being provided by Damen Shipyards. These military assets significantly enhance Pakistan's maritime capabilities, especially in naval warfare. The Dutch defense companies are also involved in broader cooperation with Pakistan, especially in the naval defense sector.
Rajnath Singh's Concerns and Appeals
During the meeting, Rajnath Singh emphasized India's long-standing struggle with Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. He strongly urged the Netherlands to reconsider its stance on providing military assistance to Pakistan. Singh made it clear that Pakistan's continuous promotion of terrorism and its support for cross-border terrorism posed a direct threat to the security and stability of the entire region.
"India appeals to all its friendly nations not to supply any military assistance to Pakistan as its government is directly involved in promoting terrorism," Rajnath Singh stated.
While discussing bilateral relations, Singh also expressed his satisfaction at meeting the young and energetic Dutch Defense Minister and conveyed his hopes for stronger defense cooperation between the two nations.
Strengthening Defense Cooperation Between India and Netherlands
The India-Netherlands defense talks also focused on several areas of cooperation to enhance security and stability in the region. Both countries agreed to increase cooperation in the following sectors:
- Defense and security collaboration
- Information sharing
- Maritime security cooperation
- New technologies including AI and drones
The two defense ministers explored the possibility of working together in shipbuilding, defense equipment manufacturing, and even the space sector. India also encouraged Dutch defense companies to involve Indian vendors in their supply chains, fostering greater economic and defense-related partnerships.
India's Diplomatic Efforts Against Terrorism and Separatism
In line with its growing diplomatic efforts against terrorism and Sikh separatism, India has recently intensified its stance on international platforms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally appealed to New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to take decisive action against Khalistani supporters operating in New Zealand. Similarly, Rajnath Singh raised concerns with U.S. Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, urging the United States to officially recognize the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) organization as a foreign terrorist organization.
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