SEO Keywords: Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, Make in India, Defence Exports, Viksit Bharat, Defence Production India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Indian Defence Industry, National Security, AI in Journalism
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JULY 4
Declaring that India’s journey over the past 12 years has been “a progression from shortages to self-reliance, from self-reliance to self-confidence, and from self-confidence towards building a Viksit Bharat,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday asserted that the country’s growing global influence, record defence exports and expanding indigenous capabilities are clear evidence of a transformational national resurgence.
नवभारत टाइम्स द्वारा आयोजित ‘एनबीटी उत्सव’ में संबोधन। https://t.co/RRpkTzjoZ3
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 4, 2026
Addressing a programme organised by a media organisation in New Delhi, Defence Minister said the government’s developmental journey has evolved in distinct phases, beginning with addressing long-standing shortages, progressing towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and now laying the foundation for a fully developed India through the policy of “Reform, Perform, Transform.”
- Defence Minister says India has moved from dependence to self-confidence, with Make in India and defence exports powering the next phase of national growth
- ‘World now listens to India’s voice on global issues’; record ₹38,000-crore defence exports reflect international trust in indigenous military platforms
- Annual defence production touches all-time high of ₹1.78 lakh crore as government advances reforms, technology, digital transformation and strategic self-reliance
- Calls on media to uphold accuracy, objectivity and impartiality, saying every word on national security carries immense responsibility
“India’s journey over the last 12 years has been a progression from shortages to self-reliance, from self-reliance to self-confidence, and from self-confidence towards building a Viksit Bharat,” Rajnath Singh said.
He added that during its first term, the government focused on overcoming shortages, expanding opportunities and transforming governance, while the second term translated aspirations into achievements and firmly placed India on the path of self-reliance. According to him, the third term is dedicated to building the foundations of Viksit Bharat, expressing confidence that the world will witness the emergence of a developed India in the government’s fourth term.
Highlighting India’s changing global standing, Defence Minister said “There has been a transformational change in India’s global stature. While the world earlier paid little heed to our voice, today it listens attentively to India’s perspective on global issues.”
Recalling the launch of the Make in India initiative in 2014, he noted that despite scepticism in its early years, the programme has evolved into one of the country’s biggest success stories. He also pointed to the India Semiconductor Mission, launched in 2021, stating that India produced its own semiconductor chips last year after establishing semiconductor parks based on the plug-and-play infrastructure model.
Showcasing the rapid expansion of India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, Rajnath Singh said annual defence production reached an all-time high of ₹1.78 lakh crore during FY 2025-26, nearly three times the level recorded in FY 2014-15.
He further highlighted that defence exports have crossed a record ₹38,000 crore, compared with just ₹686 crore in FY 2013-14, representing nearly a 57-fold increase.
Defence Minister said the remarkable growth underscores growing international confidence in Make in India defence platforms and reflects India’s emergence as a trusted global supplier of advanced defence equipment.
He also outlined India’s broader manufacturing and technological progress, citing the expansion of mobile phone manufacturing, automobile exports, indigenous locomotive production and digital infrastructure.
Emphasising India’s digital transformation, he said 22.35 billion UPI transactions, valued at ₹29 lakh crore, were recorded in April alone, while the country’s indigenously developed 5G technology is being rapidly deployed nationwide alongside ongoing efforts to develop 6G technology.
Rajnath Singh said the government has significantly strengthened welfare delivery through the JAM Trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile—facilitating Direct Benefit Transfers worth ₹51 lakh crore while preventing leakages estimated at ₹4.3 lakh crore.
He also described the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as a successful example of cooperative federalism, strengthening coordination between the Centre and States despite initial apprehensions.
The Defence Minister cited the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir and sustained action against Left Wing Extremism as examples of the government’s resolve in addressing issues once considered beyond resolution.
He further underlined India’s entrepreneurial growth, stating that the country has become the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem, with the number of start-ups increasing from about 500 to more than two lakh over the last 12 years, while the number of unicorns has grown from four to 125.
Touching upon India’s cultural renaissance, Rajnath Singh said the country’s civilisation, heritage and cultural identity remain central to national development, pointing to initiatives such as the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, Mahakal Lok, Maa Kamakhya Divya Lok Pariyojana, installation of the Sengol in Parliament, repatriation of ancient artefacts and digitisation of historic manuscripts.
Speaking on the evolving media landscape, he observed that the biggest challenge today is not the availability of information but ensuring its authenticity.
“The future success of journalism will depend on how well it establishes a balance and synergy between the capabilities of AI and human empathy. While AI will make journalism faster and more precise, emotional intelligence will ensure that it remains humane and credible,” he said.
Calling journalism a pillar of democracy, Rajnath Singh stressed that its true strength lies in guiding society responsibly and bringing truth to light.
Warning against misinformation, particularly in matters concerning national security, he said “Especially when the subject concerns the defence forces, national security, or the honour of those who make the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation, every word becomes a matter of national responsibility. The media must always uphold the values of accuracy, objectivity, and impartiality.”
