Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has exhorted the global community to join India in the co-development and co-production of advanced systems, emphasising that the present global security scenario demands innovative approaches & stronger partnerships. He was addressing the Defence Ministers’ Conclave ‘Building Resilience through International Defence and Global Engagement (BRIDGE)’, organised as part of the 15^th Aero India in Bengaluru, Karnataka on February 11, 2025. The event witnessed the participation of over 162 delegates from 81 countries, including 15 Defence Ministers, 11 Deputy Defence Ministers, 15 Permanent Secretaries, and 17 Service Chiefs.

“Increasing number of conflicts, new power plays, new methods & means of weaponisation, growing role of non-state actors and the emergence of disruptive technologies have made the world order more fragile. The distinction between border security and internal security is getting blurred as hybrid warfare has the ability to target critical national infrastructure even during peace time. Cyberspace and Outer space are challenging the established definition of sovereignty,” said Raksha Mantri.

Shri Rajnath Singh added that disruptive technologies such as Al, quantum technologies, hypersonic and directed energy are transforming the character of warfare, creating new vulnerabilities. He stressed that these changes would have a deep impact on future warfare, forcing reassessment of the capabilities required to meet the challenges.

Raksha Mantri pointed out that international order and peace cannot be ensured from a position of weakness, and the Government of India, under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is leaving no stone unturned to transform defence capabilities. “We have put in place a conducive policy regime which encourages investment and production of an entire range of modern state-of-the-art land, maritime & air systems. India’s emergence as a global hub for R&D and innovation in defence is a testament to our capabilities and aspirations,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh said India possesses a vibrant defence start-up ecosystem which has the third largest number of unicorns in the world. He highlighted the unparalleled opportunities for collaboration offered by the thriving Indian aerospace and defence sectors, supported by a significant R&D base and an entrepreneurial spirit. “Our skill base enables us to produce at highly competitive costs. India is committed to share state-of-the-art defence equipment, hardware, services, and technology with our friends and partners,” he told the Defence Ministers and other foreign delegates.

Raksha Mantri voiced India’s vision of peace, security and development, which is inclusive & collaborative, stating that it is guided by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s dynamic five ‘S’ approach: Samman (Respect), Samvaad (Dialogue), Sahyog (Cooperation), Shanti (Peace) and Samriddhi (Prosperity). These principles, he added, form the cornerstone of India’s international engagements and resonate strongly in today’s world, which is increasingly witnessing divisions.

Shri Rajnath Singh asserted that India has embraced the vision of  ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)’ for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), focussing on key areas such as maritime security, economic development and blue economy. He added that India’s collaborative efforts in combating non-traditional threats such as piracy, terrorism, illegal & unregulated fishing, and climate-related challenges underline the commitment for global cooperative action beyond IOR. “Our commitment extends beyond IOR and serves as a blueprint for fostering global partnerships built on equality, trust, mutual respect, and adherence to international law,” he said.

Raksha Mantri laid stress on the fact that India does not believe in transactional relationships or imposing solutions, and its approach emphasises on mutual capacity building, prosperity and security for the sovereignty of partner nations. He stated that the aim is to empower its partners to chart their own paths, through support that aligns with their national priorities. He described equitable partnership as the foundation of defence collaboration, whether it involves supplying Indian-made ships and aircraft, sharing expertise or conducting joint training programmes.

Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted that India’s position as a preferred partner for defence exports is reinforced by its adherence to quality, reliability, and commitment to the specific needs of partners. “Our defence industry is well-equipped to meet diverse requirements from cutting-edge technology to cost-effective solutions. We take pride in offering customised support that strengthens the capabilities of our partner nations, enabling them to address their security challenges effectively,” he said.

Raksha Mantri termed the BRIDGE initiative as the commitment to transforming dialogue into actionable outcomes, fostering partnerships that are resilient, adaptable, and forward-looking. Challenges ranging from terrorism and cyber-crime to humanitarian crises and climate-induced disasters transcend borders, and they demand a united response.

During the meeting, the Defence Ministers lauded the efforts of Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence for organising Aero India and providing an opportunity to world-class manufacturers for showcasing latest innovations and technologies under one roof. They appreciated the concept of BRIDGE which promises to work for peace and prosperity for all. They expressed their willingness to work with India for their defence and other requirements, reaffirming their commitment to further deepen the ties with New Delhi.

The delegates conveyed their desire for Transfer of Technology and co-development & co-production of latest equipment and products, terming India as a partner in resilient supply chain. They acknowledged India’s role in peacekeeping and its efforts towards upgrading the capabilities of many countries in various fields, including defence, health and education.

Shared security concerns also figured during the deliberations, with the Ministers unanimously agreeing to avoid armed conflict, describing it as anti-people and anti-development. Various challenges such as illegal drug trafficking, illegal fishing, terrorism and cybercrime were discussed, with the nations pledging to fight together against these menaces. They collectively agreed to move forward together with the idea of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, which was the theme given by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for India’s G20 Presidency.

Delivering the closing remarks, Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth expressed gratitude to the attending dignitaries for their participation. He thanked the Defence Ministers, senior officials, and distinguished guests for their engagement and contributions to the conclave. He emphasised the spirit of collaboration embodied by the theme BRIDGE and expressed optimism for continuing existing partnerships while exploring new areas of mutual prosperity through cooperation.

Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar delivered the welcome address.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat were also among the dignitaries present on the occasion.

The conclave provided a platform to discuss key aspects such as defence capacity building through investment, joint ventures & co-production, collaboration in R&D, training & technological advancements in AI & space, Maritime security cooperation and strategic partnerships.

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VK/SPS/Savvy