In a recent address at the CII Annual General Meeting & Business Summit 2025 in New Delhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh articulated his unwavering belief that the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) will eventually choose to return to India, framing them as integral members of the Indian family. He spoke passionately about the profound emotional and cultural connections that bind India to PoK, emphasizing the sentiment that this region is an inseparable part of the nation.
Singh expressed a heartfelt conviction that those who are currently geographically and politically distanced from India will find their way back. “I believe that the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are our own, part of our family,” he stated. He assured the audience that a significant majority of the inhabitants in PoK share a strong affinity for India, although a minority may have been influenced by misleading narratives. The Defence Minister underscored India’s commitment to fostering connections based on love, unity, and truth, predicting that the day will come when PoK will reaffirm its identity as part of India.
Turning his attention to Pakistan, Singh made it clear that any future negotiations would solely center on the issues of terrorism and PoK. He reiterated India’s longstanding position that Pakistan must vacate the territory it occupies illegally. Furthermore, he delivered a stern warning to Islamabad, suggesting that the strategy of using terrorism is unsustainable and carries serious repercussions. “The business of terrorism is not cost-effective and comes with a heavy price – something Pakistan is beginning to realize,” he remarked.
On the topic of India’s defence capabilities, Singh shared notable advancements in domestic defence manufacturing, highlighting an impressive surge in defence exports, which have skyrocketed from less than ₹1,000 crore a decade ago to ₹23,500 crore currently. He attributed this growth to the Make-in-India initiative, which he believes has enabled India to develop robust, indigenous defence platforms that proved their mettle during Operation Sindoor.
Singh illustrated that India’s defence sector is not merely focused on traditional military hardware; it is evolving to address modern warfare needs. “Today, we are not just building fighter jets or missile systems; we are preparing for new-age warfare,” he affirmed, signifying a transformative period in India’s defence ecosystem.
