'Modi govt made Pak pay price for terrorism against India'

Noting that the Narendra Modi government did not believe in "helplessness" or allowing issues to persist, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said the firmness with which the Centre acted has finally paid off as Pakistan was made to realise that its indulgence in terrorism against India would become "unbearable" for that country.
"People were surprised that the Government of India could take such a decision (surgical strikes) and our armed forces could, with such great competence and patriotism, execute it," Jaitley told a gathering of BJP workers after he was felicitated for granting a special development package to Andhra Pradesh.

"We saw, for over two months, one of the worst ever crises in Kashmir. But, you have a strong leader and a strong government at the Centre which was not willing to give a single signal that it was going to yield at the cost of national unity. The firmness has paid," he said.
"Pakistan had made it a routine activity to allow its territory to be used for terrorism against India. Historically, our response used to be that 'we will raise it at the international fora, will isolate Pakistan...Some diplomatic initiatives will be taken...
"For the first time, you have a government in Delhi which has told the neighbouring country that if you indulge in terrorism against India, you will pay the price for it. And, the cost of allowing your territory to be used for terrorism will become unbearable on you," the Finance Minister said.

He said India would continue to be the "fastest growing economy" in the world for at least another year.

"Notwithstanding the slowdown of the world economy, even today, for two years in a row, despite a global economic crisis, India has become the fastest growing economy in the world. Hopefully, it will be so for the next one year," Jaitley said.
The manner in which the Narendra Modi government was
functioning, it was establishing a "new political culture" in the country, Jaitley said.
"You have in the Prime Minister a leader who has the courage and capacity to take decisions. He is even willing to take tough decisions, at times, even unpopular decisions, provided they are in the larger interest of the country," he said.

"Today, people say, he (Modi) is moving too fast. That is how governments are supposed to be led. On the issue of national security, he has shown clarity of mind and firmness which are attached to the very character and philosophy of the BJP," the Finance Minister said.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, BJP Andhra Pradesh affairs in-charge Siddharth Nath Singh, state party chief and MP K Haribabu, state ministers K Srinivas and P Manikyala Rao were present at the event among others.