No Talks With Pakistan Except on PoK, Says Rajnath Singh on Kargil Vijay Diwas

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Pakistan, accusing it of making terrorism a “part of its state policy” and asserting that India would hold no talks with the neighbouring country except on Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Addressing the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorative event at the Kargil War Memorial, Singh described PoK as an integral part of India that has been “illegally occupied” by Pakistan. He also warned that any attempt to threaten India's sovereignty and territorial integrity would invite a response from the armed forces.

Referring to Operation Sindoor, launched in May 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Defence Minister said the operation demonstrated the consequences for those who support or promote terrorism against India.

Singh asserted that India and its armed forces possess the capability to respond to any “misadventure” by Pakistan in a manner “beyond their imagination”. He added that any hostile action against India's sovereignty and integrity would meet the same fate.

Taking a swipe at Pakistan's priorities, Singh contrasted India's progress in shipbuilding, innovation and data centres with what he described as Pakistan's focus on terrorism, infiltration and radicalisation.

Remembering the 1999 Kargil War, Singh called India's victory a “diamond studded in the crown of Bharat Mata” and praised the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers who reclaimed the strategic heights during Operation Vijay.

Earlier, Singh, Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and Northern Command chief Lt Gen Pratik Sharma paid homage to the fallen soldiers at the Kargil War Memorial. Three helicopters also conducted an aerial tribute, showering flower petals over the memorial.

Singh, who arrived in Kargil on Saturday, was the chief guest at the ‘Shradhanjali Samaroh’ held to commemorate the nation's war heroes.