Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday blamed Pakistan for trying to disrupt the country's peace by promoting terrorism and other anti-India activities and said India was working to "uproot" terrorism from the country.

"Pakistan wants to disrupt peace in India by promoting terrorism and other anti-India activities. The Indian forces had foiled their plans in 1971. We have won in direct war and victory will be ours in indirect war as well," said Singh after inaugurating the Swarnim Vijay Parv, commemorating 50 years of India's victory in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, at India Gate in New Delhi. 

"The more someone tries to divide us, the more united we become and face our enemies. Our aim is to keep our Armed Forces ready for any eventuality. We are moving very fast in this direction. We are working to 'uproot' terrorism," said Singh. 

Attacking Pakistan, Singh said, "The anti-India feeling in Pakistan can be seen from the fact that they name their missiles after invaders who attacked India - Ghori, Ghaznavi, Abdali, whereas India's missiles are named Akash, Prithvi, Agni. One of our missiles is also named Sant."

Talking about the Swarnim Vijay Parv, Singh said, "This festival is a testament to the fact that the memories of 1971 are still fresh in the heart of every Indian. At the same time, it is a symbol of zeal, passion and valour our forces displayed during the 1971 war." He said the 1971 war is a classic example of India's moral and democratic traditions.

"It will be rarely seen in history that after defeating another country in a war, a country does not impose its dominance, but hands over power to its political representative. India did this, because it is a part of our culture. India has never invaded any country, nor has it ever captured an inch of land of any other country," said the minister. .

He recalled the country's contribution to the establishment of democracy in Bangladesh.(SAM)