NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, SEPT 18
India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, rests on more than economic growth—it calls for resilience in adversity, technological innovation, inclusive prosperity, compassion and a renewed sense of national confidence. Addressing an event in Kochi, Keralam, on September 18, he said the country was drawing inspiration from its centuries-old values while strengthening its capabilities and pursuing a greater role on the global stage.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of ‘Ramayana- One Epic Many Stories: Ram Katha across Bharat & beyond’, a three day conclave in Kochi, Keralam. https://t.co/02OwCXpFB0
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 18, 2026
Singh said the Government was working to foster determination, service, compassion and national identity among citizens, while advancing the vision of a developed India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
- Rajnath Singh says India is converting challenges into opportunities while pursuing self-reliance and development
- Indigenous defence production rises to nearly ₹1.80 lakh crore; exports reach around ₹40,000 crore, he says
- Calls youth agents of transformation and describes independent, impartial media as vital to democratic accountability
Turning adversity into opportunity
Defence Minister said India faced significant challenges before 2014, including corruption and misgovernance, which he said had weakened public morale. He said the country’s progress over the past 12 years had been shaped by its ability to confront adversity and turn challenges into opportunities.
“Over the last 12 years, the world has faced a pandemic such as COVID-19 and witnessed several wars, which have had a profound impact on the global economy. Despite global challenges, we are moving steadily on the path towards becoming a self-reliant and developed nation,” he said.
Reiterating the Government’s commitment to protecting citizens from threats, Singh cited Operation Sindoor as evidence of India’s willingness to cross the border to eliminate those who threaten the country’s sovereignty and integrity. He also said Naxalism had been brought to an end.
Defence production, exports register growth
Highlighting efforts to strengthen indigenous capabilities, Singh said India’s defence production had risen from around ₹40,000 crore in 2014 to nearly ₹1.80 lakh crore. Defence exports, he added, had grown from approximately ₹600 crore to around ₹40,000 crore, with Indian equipment reaching nearly 100 countries.
Youth at the heart of transformation
Describing young people as India’s greatest strength, Defence Minister called for sustained effort, courage and determination to achieve national goals.
“Our youth are building start-ups, creating unicorns, developing drones, building hydrogen trains, and making rockets and satellites. They are leaving no stone unturned to make India a developed nation,” he said.
Singh said the Government’s focus on compassion was reflected in its efforts to improve people’s lives. He stated that more than 250 million people had been lifted out of poverty over the past 10 to 12 years.
He also cited India’s democratic processes and welfare programmes as sources of international inspiration. Referring to UPI, he described it as the world’s largest real-time payment system and said it had been adopted by more than 11 countries.
Schemes such as PM SHRI, Ayushman Bharat, Lakhpati Didi, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission and Ujjwala Yojana, he said, had helped make development more inclusive.
Climate action and global engagement
Singh said India had become a source of hope for the world by achieving several climate-change targets ahead of schedule. He also referred to the country’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts, stating that India had provided free vaccines domestically and sent more than 300 million vaccine doses to 100 countries.
He said India’s civilisational influence was reflected in the global observance of International Yoga Day. The country was also contributing to international efforts through initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance, he added.
Modernisation alongside cultural heritage
The Defence Minister said India’s development journey was not confined to economic growth, but also involved strengthening national confidence and moving beyond a colonial mindset. Under Modi’s leadership, he said, India was witnessing a cultural and civilisational renaissance.
Emphasising that modernisation should go hand in hand with an appreciation of cultural traditions, Singh said:
“‘Sarva Dharma Samabhava’ or equal respect for all faiths has always been at the heart of our civilisational ethos. And yet, because of Western secularism, our Dharma was made to appear as communalism, tradition as backwardness, belief as fanaticism, and faith as superstition.”
He stressed the need to make young people more aware of India’s history, culture and heritage, saying that such awareness could strengthen national consciousness and confidence in India’s place in the world.
Calling upon the younger generation to contribute to the country’s economic, social and technological transformation, Singh said a confident, capable and socially inclusive India could become a developed nation and play a greater role in shaping the world’s future.
Independent media vital to accountability
Underlining the role of journalism in a democracy, Singh described the media as the fourth pillar and said an independent and impartial press was among the strongest instruments for ensuring accountability.
“The role of the media is not merely to report the news. It is also to ask difficult questions, bring the truth before the people, and hold those in power accountable,” he said.
