Rajnath Singh: India Achieves Unprecedented Growth in Defence Under Modi Government
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s significant advancements in the defence and technology sectors under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at the annual conference of the Indian National Academy of Engineering at IIT Delhi, Singh noted that India, which once lagged in modern weaponry and technical fields, has now embarked on an unprecedented journey toward self-reliance in defence.
Acknowledging the rapidly evolving nature of modern warfare, Singh emphasized the need for adopting high-tech skills to address future security challenges. He urged scientists and engineers to focus on developing critical technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing while remaining rooted in India’s rich heritage.
Singh underscored the transformative impact of emerging technologies, stating that India is in the early stages of this development but aims to master these advancements for the welfare of its people. “Earlier, India was behind in modern weapons and technical matters. However, under the Modi government, the country has made significant strides toward self-reliance in the defence sector,” he said.
Referring to initiatives like the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and the Technology Development Fund, Singh lauded their role in fostering youth-led innovation to bolster the nation’s technological capabilities. Launched in 2018, iDEX aims to promote innovation and establish a robust ecosystem for technological advancement in defence and aerospace.
The Defence Minister also highlighted the revolutionary shift in India’s defence exports, stating that the country is now exporting weapons it once imported. He credited this change to improved collaboration between academia, research organizations like DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation), and the industry.
Expressing optimism about India’s technological future, Singh said, “With better cooperation between industries, research organizations, and academic institutions, India will soon secure a strong global position in technological development.”
