People of PoK will voluntarily return to India, says Rajnath Singh

Mumbai: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are part of the Indian family, expressing confidence that they would one day voluntarily return to India's mainstream.

Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Business Summit, Singh reaffirmed India's stance on PoK and stated that the country's engagement with Pakistan, if any, would be limited to discussions on terrorism and PoK alone.

“I believe that the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are our own — part of our family,” Singh said. “We have full faith that those of our brothers who are geographically and politically separated from us today will return to India’s mainstream, listening to the voice of their soul.”

He emphasised that most people in PoK still feel a strong bond with India, while only a few have been misled. “India has always spoken of connecting hearts. We believe that by walking the path of love, unity, and truth, the day is not far when PoK will return and say, ‘I am India, I have returned’,” he added.

In a direct message to Pakistan, the defence minister warned that terrorism is no longer a cost-effective pursuit. “The business of terrorism will come at a heavy price, and Pakistan has now realised this,” he said.

Singh also showcased India’s progress in defence manufacturing, noting that exports had surged from under ₹1,000 crore a decade ago to a record ₹23,500 crore. He described this as a testament to the success of the Make in India initiative in the defence sector, which he said is now crucial for both national security and economic growth.

Referring to Operation Sindoor, he said India’s indigenous defence platforms and systems had impressed the world with their performance. “We are not only building fighter jets and missile systems, but we are also preparing for next-generation warfare, including cyber and space technologies,” he said.