New Delhi. In an apparent reference to Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for isolating all nations that have adopted terrorism as their state policy and affect the world in one way or the other.

Speaking at the ‘Curtain Raiser’ of the first-ever India-Uzbekistan Joint Exercise ‘Dustlik 2019’ at Tashkent in Uzbekistan in the presence of Defence Minister of Uzbekistan Major General Bakhodir Nizamovich Kurbanov, he said “terrorism is a global problem. There are many examples where some countries have adopted terrorism as their state policy. The need of the hour is to condemn and isolate such countries.”

Describing ‘Dustlik 2019’ as an example of the growing defence collaboration between India and Uzbekistan, Singh expressed confidence that the soldiers of the two countries will stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the time of need.

The Minister affirmed India’s commitment of developing a state-of-the-art IT complex in Armed Forces Academy of Uzbekistan for the benefit of their soldiers. “We will send a team of expert IT professionals and English language instructors to share their expertise with the students of Knowledge Academy,” he added.

Identifying ‘Military Technical Cooperation’ as an area of huge potential, Singh said, India is always ready to share its accomplishments and achievements with Uzbekistan in this field. He expressed confidence that both countries will benefit from this cooperation.