State-sponsored terrorism testing India's patience: Rajnath Singh

State support to terrorism by a neighbouring country poses a serious challenge to India, but it has displayed capability to "disrupt and deter" terror networks and ir patrons, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday. dressing a conference, Singh also anunced creation of 10 new defence wings in as many Indian missions so that more Defence Attachés (DAs) could be appointed.

"This will furr strengn India's defence diplomacy," he said at conclave of India's Defence Attaches (DAs) posted across globe.

On threat of terrorism, Singh, in a clear reference to Pakistan, said continued presence of terrorist infrastructure and state support to terrorists in country have tested India's patience.

"As a responsible and powerful nation, India h displayed that it was able to disrupt and deter activities of terrorist groups and ir patrons," defence minister said.

India's warplanes struck a Jaish-e-Mohamm terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan on February 26, 2019 to avenge killing of 40 paramilitary personnel in Kashmir. strike reflected a doctrinal shift in India's approach to deal with cross-border terrorism.

"Terror and its related violence have posed serious challenge to international security environment and inter-play between state and n-state actors as proxies to spre violence have furr increased threat," Singh said.

defence minister also delved into security threats in Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region.

"We need to be more focused to secure our interests. We have opted pro-active measures to promote peace and stability in region as well as to increase defence and security cooperation with Indian Ocean rim countries so as to create a stable maritime environment," he said.

Singh also asked DAs to work for attracting foreign direct investment in India's defence manufacturing sector.

"With establishment of two industrial corridors in states of Tamil Nu and Uttar Presh, it is expected that this will increase defence manufacturing and exports.

"re is a lot of scope for DAs to work and attract FDI in se corridors," he said, ding a large country like India cant restrict its defence cooperation to a few countries.

" government has introduced a new scheme to promote defence exports through DAs to ir respective countries. Under this scheme, funds have been allocated for export promotion to 34 countries," defence ministry said in a statement.

It said Singh hoped that DAs will use fund judiciously to promote defence exports. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) have also opened offices in countries like Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar, Oman, etc. "An Export Promotion and Investor Cell has been set up under Department of Defence Production to facilitate Indian companies' efforts for exports," statement said. Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar also dressed DAs. Chief of Naval Staff miral Karambir Singh, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhauria and Chief of Army Staff Gen M M Naravane attended conference.