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| No talks with Pakistan except on PoJK: Rajnath | | Kargil Vijay Diwas | | Early Times Report
Jammu, July 26: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday categorically ruled out any talks with Pakistan except on Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), asserting that Operation Sindoor had demonstrated India’s capability and resolve to respond decisively to terrorism and cross-border aggression.
Addressing the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations in Dras, Ladakh, Singh said any future dialogue with Pakistan would focus solely on PoJK, which he described as an integral part of India that remains under Pakistan’s illegal occupation.
“The success of Operation Sindoor is proof that India possesses the capability to respond to every misadventure by Pakistan with a severity far beyond its imagination,” he said, adding that every attempt to undermine India’s sovereignty would invite the same resolute response that the Indian Armed Forces delivered to terrorists and their patrons during the operation.
Launching a sharp attack on Pakistan, the Defence Minister alleged that the country’s military and terrorist groups had become indistinguishable, accusing Islamabad of institutionalising terrorism as a part of its state policy.
“Pakistan’s military not only shelters terrorist organisations but also works with them. That is why, during Operation Sindoor, we made it clear that India no longer views terrorists and the governments that nurture them as separate entities,” he said.
Recalling the 1999 Kargil War, Singh said that over the past 27 years India and Pakistan had taken entirely different paths of development.
“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,” he said.
Drawing a contrast between the two neighbours, Singh said India was manufacturing semiconductors while Pakistan was preparing suicide bombers; India was earning global recognition for its space missions while Pakistan continued to sponsor proxy missions; India was sending satellites into space while Pakistan was sending terrorists across the border.
He further said that while India was providing software solutions to the world and connecting people through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Pakistan was exporting sleeper cells, promoting radicalisation and 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 asserted.
Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to national security, Singh said the government had given the armed forces a free hand to respond decisively to any threat and expressed confidence that no adversary would dare cast a hostile eye on India while its soldiers guarded the nation’s borders.
Paying tributes to the soldiers who laid down their lives during the Kargil War, the Defence Minister remembered the bravery of Param Vir Chakra awardees Captain Vikram Batra and Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, saying their sacrifice continued to inspire generations of Indians.
Describing Kargil Vijay Diwas as a reminder of the values of sacrifice and service, he said the Kargil War Memorial symbolised India’s unity, with martyrs representing every corner of the country.
“This day teaches us that the spirit of sacrifice and service forms the backbone of any nation. This wall of unity, despite our diversities, stands tall against those who wish to harm us,” he said.
Referring to ongoing global conflicts, including those in West Asia and between Russia and Ukraine, Singh said they had demonstrated that national security depended not only on military strength but also on the resilience and preparedness of citizens.
While clarifying that he was not suggesting every citizen should become a soldier, he said every Indian must remain mentally, morally and physically prepared to support the nation whenever required.
Emphasising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Singh said it represented not merely economic growth but also strategic strength, cultural pride and social harmony. He said the ideals of the Kargil heroes should guide every sphere of nation-building.
The Defence Minister also highlighted the government’s focus on strengthening border infrastructure and modernising the armed forces to meet emerging security challenges.
“The Kargil War taught us that we must remain ever vigilant at our borders in every season and under all circumstances,” he said.
Highlighting India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing, Singh said the country had made significant progress towards Aatmanirbharta.
“When our government assumed office, India imported 65 to 70 per cent of its defence equipment. Today, nearly 65 per cent of our defence equipment is being manufactured on Indian soil,” he said. |
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