New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday sent shockwaves across the subcontinent by declaring that the “borders of India are not final” and that Sindh province could one day return to the country, signalling a bold shift in New Delhi’s long-term strategic posture towards Pakistan-occupied territories.
Speaking at a public event in Rajasthan, Singh asserted, “The borders we see today were drawn by the British. They are not permanent. When Pakistan’s economic condition completely collapses – and that day is not far off – the people of Sindh will demand to join India themselves. When that happens, we will welcome them with open arms.”
Singh linked the remark to the growing internal unrest in Sindh, where separatist sentiments have intensified amid Islamabad’s neglect and economic mismanagement. “The Sindhi people have preserved their culture, language and identity for thousands of years. They know who their real well-wishers are,” he added.
The Defence Minister also reminded the audience of Parliament’s unanimous 1994 resolution reaffirming Jammu & Kashmir and the PoK as integral parts of India, subtly expanding the narrative to include other regions historically tied to the Indian civilisational sphere.
While the Ministry of External Affairs maintained diplomatic silence, sources say the statement was deliberate and cleared at the highest levels. Analysts view it as psychological messaging ahead of possible future contingencies, especially as Pakistan grapples with political instability and a looming IMF bailout.
Opposition parties termed it “election rhetoric”, but the comment has already triggered frantic diplomatic activity in Islamabad and drawn sharp reactions from Sindhi nationalist groups abroad who hailed it as “recognition of ground reality”.