The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that India would never relinquish its claim on Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), yet it won’t require military action because PoK residents will naturally want to join India after witnessing the development progress in Kashmir. He emphasized this during an exclusive interview with PTI.
Singh highlighted the positive changes in Jammu and Kashmir, saying, “The way the ground situation has changed in Jammu and Kashmir, and the way the region is seeing economic progress and peace, demands will emerge from people of PoK that they should merge with India.”
Reaffirming India’s position, he insisted, “PoK was, is, and will remain ours.” He further mentioned that elections in Jammu and Kashmir would definitely occur soon, but he did not specify a timeline.
Regarding security measures, Singh believes that eventually the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) will no longer be required. The matter, however, is under the purview of the Union Home Ministry.
He reiterated India’s stance on combating terrorism, particularly against Pakistan’s proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir. Singh urged Islamabad to cease cross-border terrorism, stating, “They are trying to destabilize India, and we will not allow it to happen.”
Relations between India and Pakistan have been tense since 2019 when India’s air force targeted a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot following the Pulwama terror attack. Ties further worsened after India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and restructured the state into two union territories.
India maintains that it wants peaceful and neighborly relations with Pakistan but insists that Islamabad must create a terror-free environment for meaningful dialogue. The policy of “hot pursuit” remains central to India’s approach against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.