Day is not far when people in PoK will return to India voluntarily: Rajnath
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New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday stated that the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are part of the Indian family and expressed confidence that they will voluntarily return to India's mainstream in the near future.
Speaking at the CII Business Summit, Singh outlined India's policy approach towards Pakistan, emphasising that New Delhi has "redesigned and redefined" its strategy and response to terrorism. He asserted that any future dialogue with Islamabad will focus solely on terrorism and PoK.
His address primarily sought to connect with the people of PoK, reaffirming India's stance that it considers them an integral part of its "own" family.
"I believe that the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are our own, part of our family," he said.
"We have full faith that those of our brothers who are geographically and politically separated from us today will also return to the mainstream of India someday, listening to their voice of soul," he added.
Singh said most of the people in PoK feel a "deep connection" with India, and only a few of them have been "misled".
"India always talks about connecting hearts, and we believe that by walking on the path of love, unity and truth, the day is not far when our own part, PoK, will return and say, I am India, I have returned," he said.
In a clear message to Pakistan, Singh also said the business of terrorism is not cost-effective and it will come with a heavy price, as Islamabad has realised now.
In his remarks, Singh also highlighted India's domestic defence capabilities.
India's defence export was less than Rs 1,000 crore 10 years ago, but it has now reached a record figure of Rs 23,500 crore, he said.
Today, it has been proven that Make in India in defence is essential for both India's security and prosperity, he said.
India's home-grown systems surprised the entire world during Operation Sindoor as our platforms and systems displayed their strength, he added.
Today, we are not just building fighter jets or missile systems, and we are also preparing for new-age warfare technology, he said.
(inputs from IANS)
