Agra (UP): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday that India is a peace-loving country but is fully capable of dealing decisively with forces that threaten its security.

“We are people who want peace, but we also know how to permanently silence those who spread disturbance,” Singh said, addressing a gathering after unveiling a statue of Maharana Pratap here.

The defence minister criticised the previous Congress-led governments on the issue of national security, claiming that terror incidents were frequent before 2014 and that political leaders had displayed a soft approach towards terrorism.

“Today, our armed forces have full freedom. If there is a terror attack, the terrorists must be eliminated. If crossing the border is necessary to eliminate them, that should also be done,” he said.

Singh said India is currently the world’s fastest-growing major economy and has emerged as an important manufacturing destination.

“iPhones are being manufactured in India and supplied across the world. The India that was disappointed and discouraged before 2014 is now full of hope, energy, confidence and determination,” he said.

“The reason behind this transformation is the trust of the people and the government’s correct intentions and policies,” he added.