The Geopolitics of Kashmir: India’s Defence Minister Asserts AJK’s Integration into India

New Delhi, India, March 8, 2025 – India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has reiterated his government’s stance on Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK), administered by Pakistan, claiming that the AJK’s people will themselves seek to join India due to its economic development and global stature. His remarks come amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over the long-disputed territory.

Speaking to Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), a private Indian news agency in an exclusive interaction, Singh stated, “The rate at which economic development has taken place and the way India’s stature has grown on the world stage, people of PoK have started feeling that their development lies in joining a country like India.” He added that the people of the region would “force Pakistan for its assimilation into India” and suggested that they “may not even need Pakistan’s consent for it.”

Growing Friction Over Kashmir

The Indian Defence Minister’s comments closely follow remarks made by India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who recently described the return of “the stolen part of Kashmir”—a reference to Pakistan-administered Kashmir—as the final step in resolving the Kashmir dispute.

India claims the entire former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir as its integral part, while Pakistan maintains that it is a disputed territory under international law, with its final status to be determined through a plebiscite under UN resolutions.

On a previous occasion, Singh pointed to Pakistan’s own legal stance, stating, “The Pakistan government calls the people of PoK ‘foreigners’ while India considers them as its own citizens.” Referring to a recent affidavit filed by Pakistan’s solicitor general, he added, “We don’t call them foreigners. They are our people. Let them come and join us.”

Political Reactions and Public Sentiment

Singh further asserted that “the PoK was part of India, is part of India, and will remain its part forever,” emphasizing the ongoing development initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir under the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. He suggested that the economic progress in the region has not gone unnoticed, stating, “With businesses and growth projects flourishing in the region, it is attracting the attention of not just Pakistan but the whole world.”

Singh also pointed to recent anti-government demonstrations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, claiming that public frustration with Islamabad was growing. “Recently, Pakistan flags were taken down in some areas of PoK, this shows the simmering anger in the region,” he said.

However, residents of the region and political analysts dispute the claim that the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) seek integration with India. AJK has its own government, elected assembly, and institutions, and many of its leaders have repeatedly rejected any move to merge with India. Public discourse in the region often revolves around demands for greater autonomy and development within Pakistan rather than a shift in territorial allegiance.

Analysts argue that economic development in AJK is linked to governance reforms and investment, rather than external influence or forced assimilation. The people of AJK have continuously aligned themselves with a vision of self-rule and closer ties with Pakistan.

Media Landscape and Corporate Influence

The coverage of Kashmir-related developments in India has increasingly come under scrutiny, particularly following corporate takeovers of major news networks. Notably, Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), the agency through which Singh’s remarks were published, became a subsidiary of Adani’s AMG Media Networks after the conglomerate acquired a majority stake in December 2023. The Adani Group, led by billionaire Gautam Adani, is widely known for its close ties with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), raising concerns over the independence of media narratives surrounding politically sensitive issues, including Kashmir.

The influence of corporate-backed media on public discourse remains a contentious issue, with critics arguing that coverage often aligns with government positions. This acquisition has further fueled debates over press freedom in India and the role of private interests in shaping national security narratives.

Also See: All Eyes on Kashmir: Has Pakistan Lost Kashmir? Let’s Talk Facts, Not Fiction

Historical Disputes and Future Outlook

The disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir has been at the center of tensions between India and Pakistan since the partition of British India in 1947. The two nuclear-armed neighbors have fought three wars over the region, and frequent clashes along the Line of Control (LoC) continue to inflame hostilities.

While India revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status in August 2019—splitting it into two federally governed territories—Pakistan-administered Kashmir remains a self-governing region with its own constitution and government. Pakistan has long maintained that the final status of Kashmir should be determined through a UN-mandated plebiscite, a position backed by numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Singh’s latest statements are expected to further escalate tensions between the two countries, as Pakistan has consistently rejected any unilateral assertions over the status of AJK. Whether the people of AJK share Singh’s vision remains a contested issue, with voices from the region emphasizing their distinct political aspirations.

As rhetoric on both sides intensifies, the Kashmir dispute continues to be a flashpoint in South Asian geopolitics, with little indication of a resolution in the near future.