Rajnath Singh, India's Defence Minister, recently commented on the contrasting trajectories of India and Pakistan, highlighting India's economic rise and political stability while expressing uncertainty about Pakistan's future. Speaking at the book launch of "After Me, Chaos: Astrology in the Mughal Empire," authored by former Minister MJ Akbar, Singh remarked, "Considering Pakistan's current state, only the Almighty knows what the future holds for it. I don't want to talk about the future".
Singh emphasized India's growing global stature, noting its position as the world's fourth-largest economy, on track to becoming the third-largest in the near future. He pointed out that India's political stability stands in stark contrast to the turmoil in some of its South Asian neighbors. He has previously stated that India's economic progress is due to hard work, sound policies, and foresight.
In August 2025, Singh responded to remarks made by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, who compared India's economy to a Ferrari and Pakistan's to a "dump truck". Singh retorted that India's growth story is like a Mercedes and Ferrari speeding ahead, while Pakistan's economy is weighed down like a dumper full of debris. He interpreted Munir's statement as an admission of economic failure on Pakistan's part, underscoring the widening gap between the two nations.
Singh has also stated that India would have been willing to provide Pakistan with a larger financial aid package than the International Monetary Fund (IMF) if Islamabad had maintained friendly relations with New Delhi. He criticized Pakistan for allegedly misusing financial aid to fund terrorism, asserting that India's financial support for Jammu and Kashmir is aimed at fostering development. He expressed hope that the region could once again become a "paradise on earth," aligning with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's vision of restoring "Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat, and Kashmiriyat".
Several other prominent figures attended the book launch where Singh made his remarks, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan. Doval lauded the book for its exploration of history and culture, while Scindia praised Akbar's literary skills.
