Defence Minister Rules Out Talks with Pakistan Except on PoK, Pays Tribute to Kargil Heroes and Reaffirms Push for Self-Reliant Defence on 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas
TFP Bureau, Dras, July 26, 2026: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the success of Operation Sindoor has demonstrated India’s capability to respond decisively to every hostile act by Pakistan, asserting that any future dialogue with the neighbouring country would focus solely on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which he described as an integral part of India.
Addressing the nation during the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, the Defence Minister said India would respond firmly to any attempt to undermine its sovereignty, just as it did during Operation Sindoor.
“The success of Operation Sindoor proves that India has the capability to respond to Pakistan’s every misadventure with a force beyond its imagination,” Singh said, adding that terrorism and those who support it would be dealt with decisively.
The Defence Minister alleged that Pakistan has blurred the distinction between its military establishment and terrorist organisations by making terrorism part of its state policy. He said India no longer differentiates between terrorists and those who provide them support and shelter.
Highlighting the contrasting development paths of the two countries since the 1999 Kargil War, Singh said India has emerged as a global leader in innovation, technology, space exploration and digital infrastructure, while Pakistan has continued to promote terrorism and infiltration.
“India is building semiconductors, startups, satellites and digital infrastructure, while Pakistan is nurturing terror networks, infiltration and radicalisation,” he remarked, adding that the Indian Armed Forces remain fully prepared to respond to any threat against the nation.
Paying homage to the soldiers who laid down their lives during the Kargil War, Singh described Kargil Vijay Diwas as a symbol of courage, sacrifice and national unity. He remembered the bravery of Param Vir Chakra awardees Captain Vikram Batra and Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, saying their heroism continues to inspire generations of Indians.
He said the Kargil War Memorial represents the unity of India, with soldiers from every region of the country making the supreme sacrifice to defend the nation.
Calling for a strong sense of national responsibility, Singh said safeguarding the country’s security is not the duty of the armed forces alone but of every citizen. He urged people to embrace the spirit of “Nation First” and remain mentally, morally and physically prepared to support the country whenever required.
The Defence Minister said the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 extends beyond economic development and includes strategic strength, cultural pride and social harmony. He stressed that the same commitment displayed by the Kargil heroes must guide every aspect of nation-building.
Emphasising the government’s focus on modernising the armed forces, Singh said India has significantly reduced its dependence on defence imports and is rapidly moving towards self-reliance in military production.
He noted that nearly 65 per cent of India’s defence equipment is now manufactured domestically, compared to heavy reliance on imports a decade ago. Indigenous platforms such as INS Vikrant, Tejas fighter aircraft, Prachand light combat helicopter, Dhruv advanced light helicopter, Arjun main battle tank, Pinaka rocket system, Astra missile and Akash-Teer air defence system are strengthening the country’s military capabilities.
Referring to Captain Vikram Batra’s iconic slogan “Yeh Dil Maange More,” Singh said the government remains committed to developing more advanced fighter aircraft, submarines, missiles and next-generation defence technologies within India under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Earlier, the Defence Minister laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial and observed a moment of silence in memory of the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during Operation Vijay in 1999. He also inaugurated a Virtual Walkthrough Portal aimed at making the history and legacy of the Kargil War accessible to people across the country.
The event was attended by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, senior military commanders, Kargil War veterans, gallantry award winners, Veer Naris, families of martyrs and civil dignitaries.
As part of the commemorations, Singh also flagged in the Shaurya Vijay Yatra, a nationwide motorcycle rally that had commenced from the National War Memorial in New Delhi on July 14 to honour the heroes of the Kargil War. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth led tributes at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, where senior military leadership also paid homage to the fallen soldiers.
