New Delhi, Oct 27 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today underscored India’s commitment to self-reliance and the crucial role of the defence sector in safeguarding national sovereignty.
Speaking at the SIDM Annual Session-2025 here, the Defence Minister mentioned on the strides made in indigenisation and defence manufacturing, and emphasised that self-reliance is not merely a government slogan but a modern reflection of India’s ancient tradition, when almost every village was a self-sufficient industry.
“India was called the ‘Golden Bird’ because we fulfilled our needs from our own land,” he said, noting that today, prioritizing indigenization in manufacturing and high technology continues that tradition in a modern form.
On national security, the Minister said, “The defence sector is not just about economic growth; it is the foundation of our national sovereignty. Responsibility for safeguarding it is shared by every citizen, organisation, and industry.” Adding that that in the wake of Operation Sindoor, the importance of this shared responsibility has become even more evident.
Referring to the recent Pahalgam attack, Singh said that the successful execution of Operation Sindoor created a situation where the threat of war seemed imminent. “Our armed forces are fully prepared to defend our borders under any circumstances,” he said, while cautioning that uncertainty in global peace and law and order has increased.
Singh praised the performance of indigenous defence systems during the operation, citing the Akash missile system, BrahMos, AkashTeer air defence control system, and other platforms. “The success of our indigenous platforms has enhanced India’s reputation not just regionally, but internationally as well,” he said.
The minister also recognised the contributions of the defence industry, who worked tirelessly on innovation, design and manufacturing. “They are equally deserving of this victory,” he noted.
Emphasising preparedness, Singh stated, “For any war-like situation, we must not only be ready, but our preparedness must be built on our own foundation. I am pleased to see that our defence industry has already taken strong steps in this direction.”
Highlighting the government’s efforts to create a level playing field and incentivize defence manufacturing, Rajnath Singh said, “Our policies aim to strengthen the defence ecosystem, and today, the impact of these efforts is visible on the ground”.
