New Delhi: A statement by India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh has triggered a major political debate after he suggested that Pakistan’s Sindh province could one day become part of India. Speaking at a public event, Singh stated that although Sindh is not currently under Indian territory, it has always been culturally and civilizationally associated with India, adding that borders are not permanent and that Sindh might return to India in the future. His comments have generated sharp reactions in both countries, drawing attention to the region’s historical ties and geopolitical relevance.
Sindh has a population of around 55.70 million, including nearly 4.9 million Hindus who account for 8.8 percent of the province’s total population. The Hindu community in Sindh also includes members of Scheduled Castes. The province has the highest percentage of Hindus in Pakistan, and Singh’s remarks have brought renewed focus to the region’s ancient links with Indian civilisation and its shared cultural heritage.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics’ digital census, Sindh accounts for nearly 23 percent of Pakistan’s total population of 241.49 million as of 2023, meaning one in every four Pakistanis resides in the province. Analysts note that hypothetically, if a region of such scale were ever to merge with India — a scenario widely considered politically unrealistic at present — India’s population would rise by about 3.8 percent while Pakistan’s demographic and geopolitical weight would be significantly reduced. Supporters of Rajnath Singh’s comments argue that integrating a territory of such strategic and cultural value would further strengthen India’s influence in the region, whereas critics call the remarks provocative and diplomatically sensitive.