Speaking to the Indian diaspora in Morocco, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh discussed the recent US tariffs on Indian exports.

Delhi, New Delhi:  The United States has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian imports, to which Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has responded. Singh told the Indian community in Morocco, “We didn’t react, those who are broad-minded and big-hearted do not react to anything immediately.” Following the US’s announcement of the steep tariff hike—which also includes a 25% additional charge on India’s purchases of Russian crude oil—he made his statement. Since the US placed a 50% tariff on Indian exports, Washington and New Delhi have had tense relations.

India’s first defense production facility will be opened by Rajnath Singh.

During his visit to Morocco, Singh also attended the opening of Tata Advanced Systems’ new Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8 manufacturing facility in Berrechid. This is Africa’s first Indian defense production facility. The facility is a “significant milestone” in India’s growing defense industry, according to Singh.

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Speaking on Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh: 

Singh took a strong stand on Operation Sindoor, India’s surgical strikes targeting terrorist camps, in order to further address national security concerns. While the terrorists in Pahalgam questioned their victims about their faith, India took a different tack, he said, defending India’s military actions. Singh remarked, “Humne kisi ka dharm dekh kar nahi, unka karm dekh kar maara hai” (We executed them for their actions, not their religion).

“Neither military nor civilian establishments were our goal. This character is unique to India,” he continued.

“PoK will soon join India.”

Speaking about the problem of Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PoK), the defense minister further said that the region would eventually join India. Singh echoed India’s long-standing position on the area when he stated, “The people of PoK have also started demanding it.” He remembered saying, “We will not need to attack and capture PoK, it is anyway ours; PoK itself will say, ‘Main bhi Bharat Hoon’ (I am also India),” in his speech to the Indian Army in Kashmir five years prior. That day will arrive.