New Delhi: In an interview, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that India would never give up on Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK) but has no intention to capture it by force. He expressed confidence that the citizens of PoK would willingly join India after witnessing the development in Kashmir.

Singh stated, "I think India will not have to do anything. The way the ground situation has changed in Jammu and Kashmir, the way the region is witnessing economic progress, and the way peace has returned there, I think demands will emerge from people of PoK that they should merge with India."

Emphasizing that PoK belongs to India, Singh said, "We will not have to use force to take PoK as people would say that we must be merged with India. Such demands are now coming."

The Defence Minister highlighted the improved situation in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and expressed optimism that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) would soon no longer be required in the Union Territory. "The way the situation is improving in Jammu and Kashmir, I think a time will come when AFSPA will no longer be required there. It is my view and it is for the Home Ministry to decide on it," he said.

Referring to Pakistan's proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir, Singh stressed that Islamabad must halt cross-border terrorism. "They are trying to destabilise India and we will not allow it to happen," he affirmed.

Addressing the eastern Ladakh border row, Singh mentioned that talks with China were ongoing, and he reassured that the country's borders would remain secure. He also noted India's rapid infrastructure development along the border areas.

Singh criticized the Congress party, particularly Rahul Gandhi, stating, "Rahul Gandhi has no fire but Congress is playing with fire by attempting Hindu-Muslim divide."

Expressing confidence in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Singh projected that the alliance would secure over 400 seats, with the BJP alone winning more than 370 seats, based on a detailed assessment of the ground situation.

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