Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India’s journey over the past 12 years reflects a transition from shortages to self-reliance, self-confidence, and the vision of a Viksit Bharat, crediting sustained reforms and the Make in India initiative for strengthening the country’s strategic and economic capabilities.
Addressing an event in New Delhi, the Defence Minister stated that India’s global standing has undergone a significant transformation, with the international community increasingly acknowledging the country’s perspectives on key global issues. He highlighted major achievements in indigenous manufacturing, including semiconductor production, digital infrastructure, and advanced technologies.
Emphasising progress in the defence sector, Rajnath Singh noted that India’s annual defence production reached a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025–26, while defence exports crossed ₹38,000 crore, marking a nearly 57-fold increase from FY 2013–14. He said the figures demonstrate growing global confidence in Indian-built defence platforms and the success of the Make in India programme.
The Defence Minister also outlined achievements in digital governance, manufacturing, and economic reforms, citing the expansion of UPI, indigenous 5G deployment, the JAM Trinity, GST implementation, and India’s emergence as one of the world’s largest start-up ecosystems.
On national security, Rajnath Singh described the abrogation of Article 370 and ongoing efforts against Left-Wing Extremism as examples of the government’s resolve to address long-standing security challenges. He reiterated that defence modernisation and national security remain central to India’s development agenda.
Highlighting the media’s role in the information age, the Defence Minister urged journalists to uphold accuracy, objectivity, and impartiality, particularly while reporting on defence and national security. He observed that although Artificial Intelligence can enhance the speed and efficiency of journalism, human judgement and empathy remain indispensable for maintaining credibility and public trust.
