New Delhi, May 29 :
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday made it clear that Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) is a part of India and the people who got geographically and politically separated will, sooner or later, voluntarily return to India.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government is committed to its resolve of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Most of the people in PoK have a deep connection with India. There are only a few who have been misled,” Rajnath Singh said while addressing the Inaugural Plenary of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit here.
Lauding the success of Make in India during Operation Sindoor, Rajnath said the Indian Armed Forces would not have been able to take effective action against terrorism in Pakistan and PoK if the nation had not strengthened its indigenous defence capabilities.
He described Make-in-India as crucial for security and prosperity, stating that the use of indigenous systems during Operation Sindoor had proved that India
PoK is part of India
has the power to penetrate any armour of the enemy.
“We destroyed the terrorist hideouts and then the military bases. We could have done a lot more, but we presented a great example of coordination of power and restraint,” he said.
Rajnath asserted that India has redesigned and redefined its strategy and response against terrorism and Pakistan has realised that running the business of terrorism is not cost-effective, rather it may have to pay a heavy price.
He added that India has recalibrated its engagement and scope of dialogue with Pakistan, and now talks will only be held on terrorism and PoK.
The Defence Minister highlighted that Make in India is a crucial element of the country’s national security and played a significant role in India’s successful counter-terrorism efforts during Operation Sindoor.
He told the industry captains, “Through the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme Execution Model, the private sector will get an opportunity to participate in a mega defence project along with public sector companies for the first time, further bolstering indigenous defence capabilities.
He termed the Execution Model for AMCA programme to build 5th generation fighter aircraft in India as a bold and decisive step, which will take the domestic aerospace sector to greater heights.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday lauded the role of the women in Indian armed forces, while attending the flag in ceremony of Indian Navy Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini, which was on out at the sea for nearly 8 months on the voyage ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama II’ for circumnavigating the globe, with a crew of two: Lieutenant Commander Roopa A Lieutenant Commander Dilna K.INSC Tarini arrived on the coast of Goa earlier today, completing its expedition which was flagged off from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node, Goa on October 2, 2024.The Defence Minister lauded the bravery of the Navy officers, saying that to travel 45 thousand kilometres while facing the ocean is a feat of its own.”Around 25 thousand nautical miles, meaning around 45 thousand kilometres were travelled in 8 months, that too doing it while in the middle of the sea, is a big feat of bravery on its own,” the Defence Minister said during his speech.”The loneliness you might have witnessed cannot be truly put into words. Here people stay with each other and feel lonely, and you people (the crew of INSV Tarini), facing the lonely sea, where one forgets about humans, and cannot see any animals either. In that situation, you have spent 8 months. I understand that you might have faced many problems,” Singh said.He highlighted the contribution of women in the armed forces.”Today, the daughters of our country are fulfilling their responsibilities very well from the heights of Siachen to the depths of the sea. The doors of the schools of armed forces have been opened for women,” he said.Highlighting the first batch of women who passed out from the National Defence Academy (NDA), the minister added, “This month, 17 girls have passed out from NDA. Women have had an active and effective participation in every part of the Indian Armed Forces. During Operation Sindoor, women pilots and other women soldiers have played an important role in the action against terrorism in Pakistan and PoK,” he said.Earlier on May 21, the Naval chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, interacted with the crew of the Navika Sagar Parikrama II onboard Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini. During that time, the vessel had crossed the northern hemisphere and was homeward bound already.The Navy Chief commended the crew members’ exemplary skills and team spirit, and conveyed the pride and admiration of the Indian Navy and the entire nation following their progress.”On 20 May 2025, Adm Dinesh K Tripathi #CNS interacted with the crew of Navika Sagar Parikrama_II onboard INSV Tarini, having crossed over to the Northern Hemisphere and homeward bound on their final leg of the circumnavigation,” the Indian Navy said in a post on X.Marking the final leg of the voyage, the vessel was ceremonially flagged off from the Royal Cape Yacht Club in Cape Town, South Africa on April 15, 2025, marking its journey back home.The send-off was attended by prominent dignitaries, including the Officiating Consul General of India in Cape Town, the Defence Attache of India to South Africa, members of the RCYC Governing Council, and representatives from the Indian community in Cape Town, according to an earlier statement from the Ministry of Defence.INSV Tarini started its journey on October 2, 2024, from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node in Goa.
“Under the AMCA project, the plan is to develop five prototypes, which will be followed by series production. It is a key milepost in the history of the Make-in-India programme,” he said.
He emphasised that the government has given priority to policy clarity, indigenisation, economic resilience and strategic autonomy, and the success of these efforts can be ensured only when all the stakeholders, including innovators, entrepreneurs and manufacturers become strong partners in this national mission.
He exhorted the Indian industry to focus on national interests, more than company interests. “If securing company interests is your karma, safeguarding national interests is your dharma,” he said.
