On the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh declared that Operation Sindoor stands as proof of India’s capability to respond decisively to Pakistan’s every misadventure, asserting that any future talks with Islamabad would focus solely on Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir (PoK) — an integral part of India.
Addressing soldiers and dignitaries in Dras, he said Pakistan has blurred the line between its military and militants, making terrorism a state policy. “During Op Sindoor, we made it clear that India no longer views terrorists and the governments that nurture them as separate entities,” he stated.
The Minister contrasted India’s progress with Pakistan’s regression: “India is designing chips; Pakistan is designing terror. India builds start‑ups; Pakistan builds sleeper cells. India connects the world through UPI; Pakistan connects terrorism through hawala networks.”
Paying tribute to the 1999 Kargil War heroes, including Capt Vikram Batra and Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey, he said their sacrifice defines the spirit of ‘Nation First’. He emphasised that Viksit Bharat @ 2047 extends beyond economic growth — it embodies strategic strength, cultural pride, and social harmony.
Drawing inspiration from Vikram Batra’s iconic phrase ‘Yeh Dil Maange More’, Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s strides toward Aatmanirbharta in defence, noting that the country now manufactures 65 per cent of its defence equipment domestically, including INS Vikrant, Tejas, Prachand, Arjun, Pinaka, and Astra systems.
He laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial, inaugurated a Virtual Walkthrough Portal, and joined senior military leaders and veterans in honouring the fallen heroes.
The event reaffirmed India’s unwavering resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and pursue self‑reliance in defence with the same courage that defined the victory of 1999.
