People of PoK are part of our family, will voluntarily return to India, says Rajnath Singh

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are part of the Indian family and the day is not far when they will willingly return to the Indian mainstream.

Singh said New Delhi has "redesigned and redefined" its strategy and response to terrorism and that possible dialogue with Islamabad will only be on terrorism and PoK, PTI reported.

In an address at the CII Business Summit, the defence minister largely attempted to reach out to the people of PoK, saying that India considers them to be part of its "own" family.

"I believe that the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are our own, part of our family," he said.

"We have full faith that those of our brothers who are geographically and politically separated from us today will also return to the mainstream of India someday listening to their voice of soul," he added.

According to a PTI report, Singh said most people in PoK feel a "deep connection" with India and only a few have been "misled".

"India always talks about connecting hearts, and we believe that by walking on the path of love, unity and truth, the day is not far when our own part, PoK, will return and say, I am India, I have returned," he said.

In a clear message to Pakistan, Singh also said the business of terrorism is not cost effective and it will come with a heavy price as Islamabad has realised now.

In his remarks, Singh also highlighted India's domestic defence capabilities.

India's defence export was less than Rs 1,000 crore 10 years ago but it has now reached a record figure of Rs 23,500 crore, he said.

Today, it has been proven that Make-in-India in defence is essential for both India's security and prosperity, he said.

India's home-grown systems surprised the entire world during Operation Sindoor as our platforms and systems displayed their strength, he added.

Today, we are not just building fighter jets or missile systems and we are also preparing for new-age warfare technology, he said.