PoK is part of India and will voluntarily return to our mainstream: Rajnath Singh

United News of India

5 days ago

New Delhi, May 29 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday made it clear that Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) is a part of India and the people who got geographically and politically separated will, sooner or later, voluntarily return to India.
'Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government is committed to its resolve of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Most of the people in PoK have a deep connection with India. There are only a few who have been misled,' Rajnath Singh said while addressing the Inaugural Plenary of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit here.
Lauding the success of Make in India during Operation Sindoor, Rajnath said the Indian Armed Forces would not have been able to take effective action against terrorism in Pakistan and PoK if the nation had not strengthened its indigenous defence capabilities.
He described Make-in-India as crucial for security and prosperity, stating that the use of indigenous systems during Operation Sindoor had proved that India has the power to penetrate any armour of the enemy.
'We destroyed the terrorist hideouts and then the military bases. We could have done a lot more, but we presented a great example of coordination of power and restraint,' he said.
Rajnath asserted that India has redesigned and redefined its strategy and response against terrorism and Pakistan has realised that running the business of terrorism is not cost-effective, rather it may have to pay a heavy price.
He added that India has recalibrated its engagement and scope of dialogue with Pakistan, and now talks will only be held on terrorism and PoK.
The Defence Minister highlighted that Make in India is a crucial element of the country's national security and played a significant role in India's successful counter-terrorism efforts during Operation Sindoor.
He told the industry captains, 'Through the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme Execution Model, the private sector will get an opportunity to participate in a mega defence project along with public sector companies for the first time, further bolstering indigenous defence capabilities.
He termed the Execution Model for AMCA programme to build 5th generation fighter aircraft in India as a bold and decisive step, which will take the domestic aerospace sector to greater heights.
'Under the AMCA project, the plan is to develop five prototypes, which will be followed by series production. It is a key milepost in the history of the Make-in-India programme,' he said.
He emphasised that the government has given priority to policy clarity, indigenisation, economic resilience and strategic autonomy, and the success of these efforts can be ensured only when all the stakeholders, including innovators, entrepreneurs and manufacturers become strong partners in this national mission.
He exhorted the Indian industry to focus on national interests, more than company interests. 'If securing company interests is your karma, safeguarding national interests is your dharma,' he said.