New Delhi: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh marked Kargil Vijay Diwas 2026 by paying tribute to Indian soldiers and saying that India’s Partition was the “greatest blunder of history.” He also said the retrieval of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) remains the only pending issue between India and Pakistan. His remarks came during the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas commemoration in New Delhi on July 26.
The minister also said India’s national security approach has changed significantly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, moving from what he described as a reactive approach to one based on preparedness and decisive action.
What Did Jitendra Singh Say on Kargil Vijay Diwas 2026
Dr Jitendra Singh said Kargil Vijay Diwas is not only a day to remember the soldiers who fought in the 1999 Kargil conflict, but also a reminder of India’s commitment to protect its unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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He said the courage of the Indian Armed Forces during the conflict continues to inspire the country. According to him, lessons from Kargil remain important because India still faces security challenges that require vigilance and national unity.
The remarks were delivered at a Kargil Vijay Diwas programme organised by the Jammu Kashmir Peoples’ Forum in collaboration with the POJK Youth Forum, a unit of Mirpur Balidan Bhawan Samity, at the Kashmiri Cultural Centre in New Delhi.
Jitendra Singh Calls Partition the ‘Greatest Blunder of History’
One of the strongest statements from the event concerned the Partition of India. Jitendra Singh described Partition as the “greatest blunder of history” and linked it to decades of conflict and human suffering in the region.
He said Partition displaced millions of people and was followed by years of hostility, including the wars of 1947, 1965, 1971 and the Kargil conflict, along with cross-border terrorism and proxy warfare. He also referred to the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits, describing it as one of the gravest humanitarian tragedies in independent India.
Kargil Vijay Diwas 2026: What Did Jitendra Singh Say About PoJK
Jitendra Singh also addressed the issue of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to the unanimous Parliamentary Resolution of 1994, the minister said there is no issue between India and Pakistan except the retrieval of PoJK. He reaffirmed the Indian government’s position that PoJK is an integral part of India.
He further claimed that the pace of development in Jammu and Kashmir has become a source of inspiration for people living across the Line of Control in PoJK.
India’s Security Strategy Has Changed, Says Minister
Jitendra Singh said India has significantly changed its national security strategy over the past decade. According to him, the government has moved away from a reactive security approach and adopted a more proactive strategy capable of responding decisively to external aggression.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for this shift and said it has strengthened national confidence and India’s ability to protect its territorial integrity.
Kargil Vijay Diwas 2026: India’s Defence Manufacturing Gets a Mention
The minister also highlighted India’s push towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing. He said India has expanded indigenous defence production, developed advanced strategic capabilities and become a significant exporter of defence equipment. He presented these developments as evidence of India’s growing technological and strategic strength.
Prime Minister Modi also spoke about India’s strengthening defence capabilities during his July 26 Mann Ki Baat address, saying the country remembers its heroes while sharing their stories with younger generations.
Jitendra Singh Highlights Development in Jammu and Kashmir
Alongside national security, Jitendra Singh highlighted development and infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir. He referred to railway connectivity to the Kashmir Valley, the world’s highest railway bridge, new AIIMS institutions and other long-pending irrigation and development projects.
According to the minister, improved security and sustained peace have helped create conditions for faster development and greater public confidence in the region.
Who Attended the Kargil Vijay Diwas Event
Bansuri Swaraj, Member of Parliament, attended the programme as the Guest of Honour. Kargil War veteran Col K.K. Sharma, a recipient of the Shaurya Chakra and Sena Medal & Bar, presided over the function. The programme was held under the leadership of Mahinder Mehta, Convenor of the Jammu Kashmir Peoples’ Forum. The event honoured soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1999 Kargil conflict.
PM Modi Pays Tribute to Kargil Soldiers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi separately paid tribute to Indian soldiers on Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26. Modi said the nation was grateful to the soldiers for their courage and commitment to protecting India, adding that their bravery under extremely difficult conditions would remain a source of national pride.
During the 136th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Modi also recalled the difficult terrain and harsh weather faced by soldiers during the Kargil conflict and paid respects to the soldiers and martyrs.
He also mentioned the Shaurya Vijay Yatra, a motorcycle rally that began at the National War Memorial in Delhi on July 14 and was scheduled to reach the Kargil War Memorial in Dras.
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 fought in the conflict. The day remembers the courage and sacrifices of the Indian Armed Forces during fighting in the difficult mountainous terrain of the Kargil sector.
In his 2026 Mann Ki Baat address, PM Modi said Kargil Vijay Diwas reminds the country of the extraordinary courage shown by Indian soldiers despite high-altitude terrain, difficult weather and enemy challenges.
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