Any talks with Pakistan would focus solely on PoK, an integral part of India: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pays tribute to the fallen soldiers of the 1999 Kargil War on the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations, at Drass, in Ladakh.

Any talks with Islamabad will be conditioned only on take over of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), which is an integral part of India, Defence Minister said on Sunday.Addressing the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations in Dras, Rajnath Singh said, “the success of Operation Sindoor is proof that India possesses the capability to respond to Pakistan’s every misadventure with a severity far beyond its imagination.”He also stated that every nefarious act against India’s sovereignty would be met with the same resolute response that the Indian Defence Forces delivered to terrorists and their patrons through Op Sindoor with unmatched bravery.Rajnath Singh asserted that, in Pakistan, the distinction between the military and militants has vanished, with the country making terrorism a part of its state policy. “Pakistan’s military not only shelters terrorist organisations but also works with them. That is why, during Op Sindoor, we made it clear that India no longer views terrorists and the governments that nurture them as separate entities,” he said.Different PathsAccording to him, 27 years have passed after the Kargil War, and the paths taken by India and Pakistan have diverged sharply. “While India is exploring new avenues of innovation, Pakistan is seeking new routes for infiltration. India is engaged in chip design, whereas Pakistan is busy designing terror. India is building a start-up ecosystem, while Pakistan is constructing a terror ecosystem. India is manufacturing semiconductors; Pakistan is preparing suicide bombers. India is recognised for space missions, while Pakistan is running proxy missions. India is sending satellites into space, whereas Pakistan focuses on sending terrorists across the border. India is providing software to the world, while Pakistan is exporting sleeper cells. India is establishing data centers; Pakistan is setting up radicalisation centers. India is connecting the world through UPI, while Pakistan is linking terrorism with hawala networks. In short, our paths diverge; should Pakistan attempt to obstruct our path to prosperity with its nefarious designs, our defence forces stand ready to deliver a befitting response,” he stated.Drawing inspiration from fallen hero of 1999 Kargil War Captain Vikram Batra’s iconic catchphrase ‘Yeh Dil Maange More’, Shri Rajnath Singh asserted that rapid strides are being made to achieve Aatmanirbharta in defence production, and the Government remains committed to accelerating the progress.Indigenous Technology“When our government assumed office, India used to import 65 to 70 per cent of defence equipment. Today, we’re manufacturing 65 per cent of our defence equipment on Indian soil. Today, our soldiers possess the indigenously developed air defence control system ‘Akash-Teer’. We have developed the next-generation Akash missile. India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier ‘INS Vikrant’, Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’, Light Combat Helicopter ‘Prachand’, Advanced Light Helicopter ‘Dhruv’, Main Battle Tank ‘Arjun’, ‘Pinaka’ multi-barrel rocket launcher, ‘Astra’ air-to-air missile, and modern drones & counter-drone systems are also strengthening the combat readiness of the defence forces. But, ‘Yeh Dil Maange More’. We will continue working to manufacture even more modern weapons, next-generation fighter aircraft, submarines, and missiles right in India,” he said.The senior Union Minister paid glowing tributes to India’s other gallant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to defend the motherland during the 1999 Kargil War.Published on July 26, 2026