Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) was, is and shall always remain an integral part of India, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said during the ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ event in Jammu on Sunday.
"We are committed to the resolution passed in the Parliament on PoK. PoK was, is and shall always remain an integral part of India. How is it possible that Baba Amarnath (Lord Shiva`s form) is in India and Maa Sharda Shakti is across the Line of Control, " the defence minister said.
Rajnath Singh was referring to the Sharda Peeth, which has the ruins of a temple to the Hindu goddess Saraswati, also known as Sharda.
"A strong and confident new India is well-equipped to give a befitting reply to anyone who casts an evil eye. Making India a global superpower will be a fitting tribute to our fallen heroes," he said.
PAK NOT MENDING WAYS
Rajnath Singh also stressed that India wants good relations with her neighbours.
"Pakistan faced a crushing defeat in 1971. Our forces made Pakistani forces to surrender. Pakistan is our neighbour. We want good relations with our neighbours. Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji used to say that we can change friends but not neighbours. But Pakistan is not mending its ways. Despite facing defeats in war, it resorted to proxy war. In 1998, we conducted nuclear tests. The entire world was against us. Vajpayee ji displayed great leadership," he said.
"Vajpayee Ji didn`t buckle under international pressure during the Kargil War. We won the Kargil War and Pakistan had to bite the dust. I want to assure the nation that if any international power invades us, we will give a befitting reply and emerge victorious," the defence minister said.
