New Delhi, August 22(HS): India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh articulated a powerful vision of global order grounded in Indian ethos during his address at the World Leaders Forum in New Delhi. Emphasizing values of harmony, dignity, and mutual respect, he stated that India views the world not as a battleground for dominance but as a shared journey toward collective good. “The true measure of strength lies not in command but in compassion; not in narrow interests, but in commitment to global welfare,” he said.

Responding to a provocative remark from Pakistan’s Army Chief, who compared India’s economy to a sports car and Pakistan’s to a dump truck, Shri Singh dismissed it as a revealing admission of failure. “Two nations gained independence together, yet one accelerated ahead with vision and hard work, while the other remains mired in shortcomings. This is not a joke but a confession,” he observed.

Reaffirming India’s unwavering resolve, the Defence Minister pointed to Operation Sindoor as evidence that India will not tolerate any misperceptions about its strength in the neighboring country’s thinking. He highlighted India’s soaring defence exports, which have grown almost 35-fold in the last decade, with Rs 23,622 crore achieved in 2024-25 and a target of Rs 50,000 crore by 2029. Domestic defence manufacturing has also tripled to over Rs 1.5 lakh crore and is projected to reach Rs 2 lakh crore this year.

Rajnath Singh announced significant strides in defence self-reliance, revealing that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has secured orders worth Rs 66,000 crore for 97 Tejas fighter jets—adding to an earlier Rs 48,000 crore order for 83 aircraft. “Tejas exemplifies India’s indigenous defence capabilities. We are advancing toward developing fifth-generation fighter jets and aircraft engines domestically,” he said.

Further, the Defence Minister showcased robust initiatives like defence industrial corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and the Strategic Partnership model, catalyzing private sector participation in building cutting-edge platforms such as fighter jets, helicopters, tanks, and submarines. He lauded innovations driven by startups and MSMEs through the iDEX program, alongside reforms enhancing foreign direct investment limits in defence up to 100% and technology transfers from DRDO at no cost.

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India’s defence budget has nearly doubled from Rs 2.53 lakh crore in 2013-14 to approximately Rs 6.22 lakh crore in 2024-25, with further increments planned following Operation Sindoor. Shri Rajnath Singh extended a global invitation for defence companies, citing successful collaborations like Airbus and Tata Aerospace’s production of the C295 transport aircraft. “Make in India means making for the world,” he emphasized.

Looking ahead, the Defence Minister expressed confidence that India is poised to lead a just and inclusive global order, anchored in its civilizational values of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—‘the world is one family.’ He cited India’s rapid economic growth, now the fourth largest in the world, and its unparalleled demographic advantage, with 65% of the population under 35 years of age. India also nurtures the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, home to over 100 unicorns, positioning it as a transformative force on the global stage.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar