Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday asserted that India’s strategic resilience and dedication to self-reliance will solely develop stronger within the face of mounting world strain.
Talking on the NDTV Defence Summit 2025, Singh stated that, be it pandemics, terrorism, or regional conflicts, this century has confirmed to be essentially the most unstable and difficult on each entrance to this point.
“In such circumstances, if we speak about as we speak’s strategic necessities, it turns into clear that atmanirbharta (self-reliance) just isn’t an possibility in as we speak’s time; self-reliance isn’t just a bonus however has grow to be a necessity.”
Singh stated that within the gentle of self-reliance, the nation is now making all warships domestically. The navy has pledged to not purchase warships from another nation however to make them India and nowhere else.
The Sudarshan Chakra, India’s indigenously-built defence system, will even grow to be a actuality quickly, the Defence Minister stated.
Singh credited India’s push for ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) with revolutionising the defence sector, citing developments in indigenous manufacturing and strategic autonomy.
Taking a cue from the continued tariff rigidity triggered by 50% levy on Indian imports by US President Donald Trump, Singh stated, “Globally, there’s a war-like state of affairs for commerce proper now,” noting that developed international locations have gotten extra protectionist.
He additional added that India’s strategy will prioritise nationwide pursuits, particularly these of farmers and small companies, even amid exterior pressures.
In maybe a reference to the thaw in India-China relationship, Singh used the oft-repeated phrase utilized in worldwide relations: “There are not any everlasting associates and enemies, solely everlasting pursuits.”
“India doesn’t take into account anyone its enemy”, Singh stated, “however won’t compromise the pursuits of its folks”.
