“PoK Will Say, I Am India” — A Strategic Call for Unity Echoes at CII Summit 2025

What does the future hold for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir? Can India’s growing defence power and economic rise bridge decades of separation and mistrust? These were not just political musings but strong declarations made by one of the highest offices in the land—India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh—at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025.

It wasn’t just another keynote at an industry summit. When Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stood before India's top industrialists, defence leaders, and policy influencers at the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) Annual Business Summit 2025, he delivered a message that was both emotional and strategic—a message that went beyond borders and touched the nerve of India’s enduring hope: the eventual return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to India.

"I believe the people of PoK are our own—our family. The day is not far when they will return to India, listening to their inner voice," Singh said, striking a chord with the audience that included heavyweights from India’s booming defence and industrial sectors.

This wasn’t just political rhetoric. It was a vision backed by data, action, and a strong message to those across the border who still believe that terrorism can be used as a policy tool.

India Redraws the Map of Dialogue

At the heart of Singh’s address was a clear redefinition of India’s foreign and defence policy posture. In a significant policy assertion, he said any future dialogue with Pakistan will now be limited to two subjects: PoK and terrorism.

"India always talks about connecting hearts. By walking the path of love, unity, and truth, PoK will return and say—‘I am India, I have returned,’" he stated, evoking strong applause from the gathering.

Such statements are not made in isolation. They come at a time when India is asserting its role on the global stage not just economically, but as a strategic powerhouse backed by military self-reliance and robust internal security policies.

Terrorism Is No Longer “Cost-Effective” for Pakistan

Singh was candid and categorical in addressing India’s biggest security concern: cross-border terrorism.

"Pakistan now realises that terrorism comes at a heavy cost. It is no longer a cost-effective enterprise," he said.

The comment marked a subtle but important shift. It pointed to India’s proactive stance in dealing with threats—be it through surgical strikes, cyber resilience, or diplomatic isolation of state sponsors of terror.

Defence Sector: The Make-in-India Success Story

One of the strongest highlights of Singh’s address was the unprecedented growth in India’s domestic defence production and exports.

• Defence exports skyrocketed from less than ₹1,000 crore a decade ago to a record ₹23,500 crore.

• Total defence production jumped from ₹43,000 crore to an astonishing ₹1.46 lakh crore.

• The private sector alone contributed over ₹32,000 crore—underscoring how startups and private enterprises are becoming major players in India's defence narrative.

"We’re not just building fighter jets or missile systems—we are preparing for new-age warfare, from AI to cyber defence," Singh said.

He spotlighted Operation Sindoor, a major defence initiative that stunned the global community with India’s home-grown defence systems—powered by indigenous tech and cutting-edge innovation.

Operation Sindoor: India’s Tech Might on Display

Among the summit's standout moments was the industry’s resounding applause for Operation Sindoor, a high-stakes demonstration of India’s indigenous defence capabilities, including AI-enabled systems and cyber warfare tools.

Baba Kalyani, Chairman of Bharat Forge and Founder President of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), called Operation Sindoor a “defining moment” in India’s journey towards technological self-reliance.

"This is India’s moment to trust its own innovations and scale them globally," Kalyani said, urging stakeholders to rally behind the Make-in-India initiative with renewed energy.

Trust as a National Asset

The theme of the summit—“Building Trust: India First”—was more than just a slogan. For Singh, trust was the emotional glue that binds India's democratic values, policy vision, and global aspirations.

He cited landmark economic reforms like GST and UPI as tools of national integration. These innovations, built on simplicity and scalability, have empowered millions and unified the country’s economic framework.

"Our resilient economy, driven by private consumption, expanding manufacturing, and strategic infrastructure, is what has made India the world’s fourth-largest economy today," he noted, highlighting the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Industry Leaders Rally Behind National Vision

The Defence Minister’s remarks were not standalone. Industry leaders echoed his vision with strong endorsements:

• Sanjiv Puri, President of CII and CMD of ITC Ltd, said Operation Sindoor was a sign of India’s strategic maturity and preparedness.

• Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of CII, expressed gratitude for Singh’s decisive role in shaping a self-reliant defence ecosystem.

The summit also honored India's top military commanders, including:

• Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff

• Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Chief of the Air Staff

• Lt. Gen. N.S. Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of the Army Staff

Their felicitation signaled a strong bridge between military leadership, industry innovation, and policy vision.

The Startup Angle: What This Means for Bharat’s Techpreneurs

While the focus was national, the underlying message had deep resonance for India’s startup ecosystem. With private sector contributions crossing ₹32,000 crore, there’s a clear opportunity for Indian defence tech startups to scale, innovate, and partner with the government in shaping the future of modern warfare and national security.

From AI-led surveillance systems to cybersecurity solutions, robotics, drone technologies, and indigenous manufacturing—the next wave of innovation will come not just from labs but from garage innovators and bold founders.

The summit wasn’t just about numbers and policies. It was about India’s renewed confidence in its place in the world. It was about the people of PoK, seen not as outsiders, but as brothers and sisters waiting to come home.

As Singh said, “The day is not far when PoK will say: ‘I am India. I have returned.’”

At the intersection of policy, patriotism, and progress—India is building more than weapons. It is building trust, resilience, and a future of shared unity.

And perhaps, that is the most powerful message of all.