Bengaluru: Noting that lasting peace can only be achieved if nations become stronger together, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pitched for a better world order as he kicked off the five-day Aero India here.
He underlined that for India, there is no Indian security or Indian peace in isolation.
“Security, stability and peace are shared constructs that transcend national borders. The presence of our foreign friends is a testimony to the fact that our partners share our vision of One Earth, One Family, One Future,” he said.
He pointed out that in the present environment of global uncertainty, India is a huge country which is witnessing peace and prosperity. “India has never attacked any country nor has it been involved in any great power rivalry. We have always been an advocate of peace and stability. It is part of our fundamental ideals,” he said, addressing defence ministers, senior officials and representatives of foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) present at the Aero India.
He told them that their cooperation with India is crucial for global peace, prosperity and stability.
Talking about the Indian defence ecosystem, he said that the defence industrial sector, which was earlier not viewed as a component of the national economy, has today been fully integrated with the overall economy. The sector is now a motor, powering the growth engine of the Indian economy, he said.
He said that the government was committed towards enhancing the participation of private players in this overall growth story.
“The private sector is going to play a big role in the economic mainstreaming. Due to its drive, resilience and entrepreneurship, the sector is capable of bringing a new wave of prosperity in the country. In many advanced countries, private industry has led defence production. The time has come that, here as well, the sector becomes an equal partner in the defence industry,” he said.
He added that the defence manufacturers are working with a collaborative approach to strengthen the defence sector, terming the joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus for the production of C-295 transport aircraft in Gujarat as a shining example of this cooperation.
He voiced the government’s resolve to surpass the Rs 1.27 lakh crore defence production and Rs 21,000 crore defence exports figures in the coming times, and ensure that the defence sector moves ahead at an unprecedented pace.
Singh had last evening expressed confidence that defence production will exceed Rs 1.60 lakh crore by the end of 2025-26 and defence exports will surpass Rs 30,000 crore.
The Defence Minister confirmed participation of over 900 exhibitors at the five-day event, including 150 foreign companies. He termed the participation of more than 90 countries as a testament to the growing global confidence in India’s aerospace and defence capabilities.
Singh will host the Defence Ministers’ Conclave on 11 February in hybrid mode. The theme this year—‘Building Resilience through International Defence and Global Engagement (BRIDGE)’—underscores the importance of supply chain resilience and strategic collaboration in defence.
(Edited by Radifah Kabir)
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