.png){kind=small}
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
1 week ago
9
ARTICLE AD BOX
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the CII Business Summit (ANI screengrab)
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday asserted that the people living in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are a part of the Indian family, and will return to India voluntarily one day. Singh further said that any future dialogue with Islamabad will only be regarding terrorism and PoK.
While speaking at the CII Business Summit, Rajnath Singh laid out India’s policy approach towards Pakistan, and said New Delhi has “redesigned and redefined” its strategy and response to terrorism. His statement comes after Indian military’s Operation Sindoor against multiple terror camps in PoK and Pakistan.
Reaching out to the people of Pakistan, Singh said, “I believe that the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are our own, part of our family.”
“We have full faith that those of our brothers who are geographically and politically separated from us today will also return to the mainstream of India someday listening to their voice of soul,” he added.
Most of the people in PoK feel a “deep connection” with India, the defence minister said, with only a few of them being “misled.”
“India always talks about connecting hearts, and we believe that by walking on the path of love, unity and truth, the day is not far when our own part, PoK, will return and say, I am India, I have returned,” he said.
During his address, Singh sent a clear message to Pakistan and said that the business of terrorism is not cost effective, and will come at a heavy price, as Islamabad has realised now.
Story continues below this ad
Highlighting India’s defence capabilities, Rajnath Singh said that the country’s defence export was less than Rs 1,000 crore 10 years ago but it has now reached a record figure of Rs 23,500 crore.
India’s home-grown systems surprised the entire world during Operation Sindoor as our platforms and systems displayed their strength, he added. The defence minister said that India is not just building fighter jets or missile systems, but is also preparing for new-age warfare technology.
(With inputs from PTI)
English (US) ·