New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Operation Sindoor has shown that India can give a strong and decisive response to any threat from Pakistan. Speaking at the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas ceremony in Dras, Ladakh, on July 26, 2026, Singh also said that if talks with Pakistan take place, they would focus only on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Singh made the remarks after paying tribute to Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the 1999 Kargil War. He said the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers continue to inspire the country, especially young Indians.
Details of Rajnath Singh PoK Statement
Addressing the Kargil Vijay Diwas gathering, Singh said the success of Operation Sindoor showed India’s ability to respond firmly to what he described as Pakistan’s “misadventures.”
He said any action against India’s sovereignty would receive a strong response from the Indian Armed Forces. According to Singh, the government has the political will to give the defence forces freedom to respond decisively to security threats.
Talks With Pakistan Would Focus Only on PoK
One of the biggest statements from Singh’s speech was about future India-Pakistan talks. The Defence Minister said there would be no talks with Pakistan under the current circumstances. He added that if any dialogue takes place, it would focus only on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which the Indian government considers an integral part of India under illegal Pakistani occupation.
Rajnath Singh PoK Statement: Singh Accuses Pakistan of Supporting Terrorism
Singh also made strong allegations against Pakistan over terrorism. He claimed that the distinction between Pakistan’s military and militants has disappeared and accused the country of making terrorism part of its state policy.
He said Operation Sindoor had demonstrated that India would not view terrorists separately from governments that, according to India, support or shelter them. These remarks represent the Indian Defence Minister’s position and allegations against Pakistan.
India and Pakistan Have Taken Different Paths, Says Singh
Rajnath Singh said India and Pakistan have moved in very different directions in the 27 years since the Kargil War. He contrasted India’s work in areas such as innovation, semiconductor manufacturing, startups, space missions, software, data centres and digital payments with Pakistan, which he accused of focusing on terrorism and infiltration. Singh said India’s Armed Forces remain prepared to respond if Pakistan attempts to obstruct India’s progress through hostile activities.
Kargil Vijay Diwas: Rajnath Singh Pays Tribute to Fallen Soldiers
At the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Singh laid a wreath at the Cenotaph and observed silence for soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during Operation Vijay in 1999.
He specifically remembered Param Vir Chakra awardees Captain Vikram Batra and Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey and said their courage continues to inspire India’s youth. Singh said Kargil Vijay Diwas teaches young people about the importance of service, sacrifice and national duty.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Kargil War soldiers, saying their courage, patriotism and commitment to protecting India would continue to inspire future generations.
Rajnath Singh PoK Statement: Defence Self-Reliance Remains a Major Priority
Singh also highlighted India’s push for Aatmanirbharta, or self-reliance, in defence manufacturing.
According to the Ministry of Defence, Singh said India earlier imported around 65–70% of its defence equipment, while today around 65% is manufactured domestically.
He mentioned Indian-made defence systems and platforms including Akash-Teer, the next-generation Akash missile, INS Vikrant, Tejas fighter aircraft, Prachand and Dhruv helicopters, Arjun tank, Pinaka rocket launcher and Astra air-to-air missile.
Singh said India would continue working to manufacture more advanced weapons, fighter aircraft, submarines and missiles domestically.
Why Is Kargil Vijay Diwas Celebrated
Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed every year on July 26 to commemorate India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War and honour the soldiers who defended the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In 2026, India marked the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas. The commemorations in Dras included military officials, Kargil War veterans, gallantry award winners, families of soldiers and local residents.
Singh also flagged in the Shaurya Vijay Yatra, a motorcycle rally that had started from the National War Memorial in New Delhi on July 14.
Read also: Rajnath Singh Announces ₹3 Lakh Crore Defence Production Goal After Operation Sindoor
