He said that Jammu and Kashmir will always be an integral part of India

Abrogation of Article 370 has given the ambitions of the people of Jammu and Kashmir new dawn of hope, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday.

Addressing the audience during the commemoration of Kargil Vijay Diwas in in Jammu, Singh termed article 370 an "artificial legal barrier" and said that Jammu and Kashmir will always be an integral part of India.

While talking about PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan, he said that these areas are "illegally held by Pakistan" and that a resolution to liberate them has been approved by the Indian Parliament with unanimous support.

He also lavished praise on the freedom fighters and members of the armed forces who have sacrificed their lives since India's independence in the service of the country, saying that it was the spirit of patriotism at the heart of their values that safeguarded India's unity and integrity.

During the celebrations, the Defence Minister also asserts that a strong and self-assured New India is ready to respond appropriately to anyone who casts an "evil eye." Additionally, he expressed the government's will to maintain the Armed Forces' vital "jointness and aatmanirbharta."

He added, "Making India a global superpower will be a fitting tribute to our fallen heroes."

Rajnath Singh discussed the multiple difficulties India has encountered since gaining independence. He said that during the 1948, 1962, 1965, 1971, and 1999 conflicts, the whole region of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh were labelled as the "Main War Theatre."

He also paid tributes to Major Shaitan Singh in 1962, Brigadier Usman and Major Somnath Sharma in 1948, India's historic victory in the war of 1971, and the contributions of Captain Vikram Batra, Captain Manoj Pandey from the Kargil Bravehearts and Galwan Valley Bravehearts who gave their lives to preserve the unity and integrity of India.

Along with Rajnath Singh, several active-duty members of the armed forces and veterans, including Captain Bana Singh, recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, were there to attend the event.