In the heart of every patriotic Indian beats the longing for the return of that one piece of our nation unjustly torn away in the wake of Partition—Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). It is not merely a question of geography; it is a matter of sovereignty, justice, and the culmination of an unfinished story of betrayal, bloodshed, and resilience. For decades, successive governments paid lip service to PoK, hesitant to disturb the status quo in the name of diplomacy. But now, under the strong and determined leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India must reclaim what is rightfully hers—not for political mileage, but for historical closure and national integrity.
The abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 was a tectonic shift—not just for Jammu and Kashmir, but for India’s posture on national unity. It signaled a government that wasn’t afraid to make bold decisions, unshackled by vote-bank compulsions and international appeasement. That move, surgical and strategic, laid the groundwork for a larger plan—one that must culminate in the reintegration of PoK into the Indian Union.
Let us be clear: PoK is not “disputed territory.” It is Indian territory illegally occupied by Pakistan since 1947. This is not just a claim founded in emotion—it is rooted in fact. The Instrument of Accession signed by Maharaja Hari Singh on October 26, 1947, legally acceded the entire princely state of Jammu and Kashmir to the Dominion of India. That includes what is now known as PoK. There is no ambiguity. The only error was that India, under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, took the matter to the United Nations and agreed to a ceasefire when the Indian Army was on the verge of reclaiming the lost territory. That historical misjudgment cost us dearly.
Today, seventy-seven years later, the wounds of that political naiveté still fester. PoK has been turned into a geopolitical pawn by Pakistan. It has suffered neglect, repression, and exploitation. The people of Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad are treated like second-class citizens by Islamabad. Their voices are silenced, their identity erased, and their rights trampled. For them, India is not a threat—it is a hope.
Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly said, “This is not an era of expansionism; this is an era of development.” But development cannot be complete until every inch of our territory, as per our constitutional map, is brought under Indian governance. Expansionism is when a nation seeks to occupy another’s land. Reclamation is when a nation takes back what was unjustly taken. Modi is not an expansionist; he is a restorer of India’s dignity.
The geopolitical climate today is shifting. Pakistan is internally imploding, economically unstable, and diplomatically isolated. The recent protests in PoK against inflation and Islamabad’s discriminatory policies are a clear indication that the people are fed up. They no longer see Pakistan as their savior. On the contrary, they recognize that their future lies with a democratic, prosperous, and secular India. This is the right time for India to act—not through war, but through strategic pressure, global diplomacy, and civil resistance movements inside PoK.
India’s position on PoK must now evolve from rhetorical statements to a concrete roadmap. Parliament passed a resolution in 1994 unanimously declaring PoK to be part of India. It’s time that resolution translates into actionable policy. This means encouraging international dialogue highlighting Pakistan’s illegal occupation, supporting PoK freedom activists, and simultaneously strengthening our military presence and intelligence operations along the Line of Control. If Israel can defend its sovereign rights surrounded by hostile neighbors, why can’t India assert hers when she has the moral, legal, and strategic upper hand?
Of course, such a move won’t come without consequences. China will raise concerns because of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passing through Gilgit-Baltistan. But that’s precisely why India must take a stronger stand. CPEC is a violation of India’s sovereignty. China must be made to understand that India is no longer a soft state—it is a rising power that won’t tolerate its territories being used for foreign investment by an occupying force. The world respects nations that respect themselves. Modi understands this. He has shown it time and again—be it at Doklam, Galwan, or Balakot.
Domestically, the reintegration of PoK would also have a psychological impact on the nation’s unity. It would reaffirm the faith of citizens in the Constitution, in Parliament, and in India’s democratic institutions. It would fulfill the dream of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who gave his life demanding that Jammu and Kashmir be fully integrated into India. It would vindicate the countless soldiers who fought and died to protect our borders from invaders and infiltrators. It would send a message—not just to Pakistan, but to the world—that India does not forget her wounds, nor forgive her oppressors.
The youth of today are not burdened by the hesitations of the past. They are bold, assertive, and driven by a desire to see India rise as a global power. For them, the cause of PoK is not just a historical matter—it’s a question of pride. Modi has ignited a sense of nationalism among them, one rooted not in hatred but in honor. If there is one leader who can deliver on the PoK promise, it is Narendra Modi. Not because he seeks glory, but because he seeks justice. Justice for the land. Justice for the people. Justice for India.
There is no need to launch tanks or drop bombs. There is no need to annex with force what can be reclaimed with strategy and resolve. Modi must now play the long game—of hearts and minds, of legal clarity and diplomatic tenacity. The world is watching. The people of PoK are watching. And most importantly, 1.4 billion Indians are watching.
It’s time to finish the story that began in 1947.
It’s time to bring PoK back home.
It’s time for Modi to act.
Because when history knocks, only a statesman—not a politician—answers the call.
And Narendra Modi must answer.
