Self-reliance in every sector is the first condition for a strong economy and the nation is making giant strides towards realising Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. This was stated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at an event in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on August 30, 2024. He asserted that a raft of measures have been taken by the Government to create a robust production base and an ecosystem for defence R&D and innovation.

Some of the steps taken by the Ministry of Defence, that the Raksha Mantri enumerated, include setting up of Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh & Tamil Nadu and issuance of five Positive Indigenisation Lists of more than 5,500 items. He added that GE-414 engines will now be made in India, which marks a remarkable progress in the country’s engine-making capability. He referred to his recent US visit, stating that he had fruitful discussions with the US defence companies and they are excited to join the ‘Make In India’ programme.

Shri Rajnath Singh stressed that there was a time when the country relied on other countries to meet the defence needs, and about 65-70% of defence equipment was being imported. But this has changed today, he said, highlighting that 65% is being manufactured on the Indian soil and only 35% is being imported. 

The Raksha Mantri added that the annual defence production has crossed Rs 1.27 lakh crore and the target is to reach Rs 1.75 lakh crore in this fiscal year. He exuded confidence that the Ministry of Defence will achieve a target of Rs three lakh crore worth of defence production by 2029.

“Today, we are also exporting defence equipment made in India. In Financial Year 2023-24, India's defence exports crossed Rs 21,000 crore. Our target is to increase defence exports up to Rs 50,000 crore by 2029,” Shri Rajnath Singh said.

On India’s growing stature on the international stage, the Raksha Mantri mentioned about Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s recent visits to Russia & Ukraine, saying that he is the only global leader who was listened to by both the countries. “India has today become the biggest voice of the Global South. Every country considers and listens to India's opinion on significant issues. The Prime Minister was recently bestowed with Russia's highest civilian honour by President Vladimir Putin. With this, Russia has joined 16 countries that have given their highest civilian honour to our Prime Minister. These countries also include Muslim nations like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Maldives and Bahrain,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh emphasised that the country has witnessed ‘Epochal Changes’ in the last ten years - from economic reforms to major social transformation, from cultural revival to significant political changes. He credited the people for playing the most important role in this change along with the government. “The last 10 years will go down in history as the decade of change and our Prime Minister & government will always be recognised as the biggest ‘Change Makers’. India is on a cusp of major change. It will usher India into an age of unprecedented development, prosperity, social harmony and growth,” he added.

The Raksha Mantri spoke on the growth in India's economy since 2014. “India’s economy was earlier among the ‘Fragile Five’. Today, it is being recognised all over the world as one of the ‘Fabulous Five’. During the last fiscal year, India’s economic growth rate was 8.2%. It was more than the growth rate of 7% the year before. For two consecutive years, India has been the fastest-growing economy out of all the world’s major economies. In the last ten years, from the 11th position, India has become the fifth largest economy. Investment firm Morgan Stanley estimates show that India will become the third largest economy by 2027,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh pointed out that despite the fast pace of growth, inflation is well under control in India. He cited the recent data released in July, which shows that retail inflation rate has been recorded at 3.54 per cent, the lowest in the last five years. “Before 2014, the number of start-ups used to be less than 1,000. Now, it has increased to more than one lakh. Today, India is the third largest start-up ecosystem in the world and every 10th unicorn is in India. India’s start-up ecosystem is expected to receive around $1 billion in new funding this year, 25% higher than last year,” he added.

Identifying good governance as Government’s priority, the Raksha Mantri stated every policy and programme is founded on the principles of stability, consistency, and continuity to ensure good governance. He added that productive expenditure in the form of highest capital expenditure; unprecedented investment in welfare schemes; end of wasteful expenditure and financial discipline have been the focus areas of the Government.

Shri Rajnath Singh emphasised that the efficacy and efficiency of the government was seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our government ensured that life-saving resources and medicines were timely and promptly available. During the lockdown, we ensured food security by making free-of-cost ration available to the poor. Made in India vaccines were taken as a priority. We ensured the availability of these vaccines to each citizen promptly without any delay,” he said.

The Raksha Mantri described the success of ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ and ‘Open Defecation Free India’ as the best examples of ‘positive change’ brought by the Government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He also referred to the initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana which fulfil the needs and necessities of the people.

Shri Rajnath Singh also enumerated the efforts being made towards gender parity and women empowerment through schemes such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao & Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. He also mentioned about the abolition of the practice of Triple Talaq, reflecting the Government’s will and determination to end such a discriminatory practice.

The Raksha Mantri termed the health, safety and welfare of women as the Government’s priority. “Considering the atrocities and crimes against women in the country, despite all the changes, it seems that a lot remains to be done. Our government has adopted a strict attitude towards crimes against women, but many states are not making sincere efforts in this direction. The recent heart-wrenching incident in Kolkata is very tragic and disgraceful. We have amended the law to provide for the capital punishment for heinous crimes like rape. This law should be implemented with strictness,” he said.

Highlighting the growing role of women in the Armed Forces, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that many obstacles to the entry of women into the military have been removed. “We have ensured increased participation of women in all the three wings of the Armed Forces. Permanent Commission for women has been allowed. One of the most prestigious military training institutes, National Defence Academy, has also been opened for women. Our government is marching ahead with the vision of women empowerment and women-led development,” he said.

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ABB/Savvy