Rajnath Singh: India's Self-Reliance, Tech Capability to Define Global Role

Defence minister Rajnath Singh said Tuesday that in view of the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, India’s self-reliance, technological capability, and collective resolve will determine the role it plays on the global stage in the coming decades.

“History teaches us that great nations stand on three essential pillars: economic strength, technological prowess, and national security. Economic prosperity and technological advancement reinforce national security, while a secure nation provides the stability that allows industry and innovation to flourish,” he said while addressing the valedictory session of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Vadodara.

Calling Vibrant Gujarat a movement aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, he asserted that the state has the potential to emerge as a major hub for defence manufacturing and technology.

“Viksit Bharat is not merely a goal of economic development, but a resolve to build an economically prosperous, technologically capable, and socially empowered country,” Rajnath said as he called upon regional industries to become partners in this journey by transforming regional strengths into national capabilities, local innovations into global competitiveness, and industrial growth into strategic strength.

The minister underlined that the development of the defence sector is not only limited to the manufacturing of weapons and technologies; it catalyses a vast economic ecosystem.

“Under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, we are fostering indigenous capabilities in strategic sectors such as aerospace and defence. Initiatives such as Make-in-India, review of Defence Acquisition Procedure, and Technology Development Fund are playing a pivotal role in this direction,” he said.

Rajnath emphasised that Gujarat can play a pivotal role in achieving the goal of self-reliance as the state possesses a robust industrial base, a skilled workforce, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

From advanced manufacturing to cutting-edge research, Gujarat has the potential to become a major hub for defence production and technology, he said, making special mention of the Tata-Airbus Aircraft Complex in Vadodara for manufacturing C-295 transport aircraft.

He added that the K-9 Vajra, one of the world’s most advanced self-propelled artillery platforms boosting the Indian Army’s strike capability, is being manufactured in Gujarat.

Rajnath expressed confidence that the semiconductor ecosystem being developed in Sanand and Dholera will serve as a cornerstone of India’s technological sovereignty.