New Delhi, November 28
“India’s economic growth, technological capabilities and principled foreign policy have made it a voice of balance & responsibility in the changing global environment, with countries across the Indo-Pacific and the Global South viewing us as a reliable partner,” said Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue organised on the theme ‘Reform to Transform – Sashakt, Surakshit aur Viksit Bharat’, in New Delhi today. He asserted that India is shaping global discussions of today with a sense of responsibility, strategic autonomy & confidence rooted in civilisational values, and the global trust it has earned is due to the path-breaking reforms, and its consistent stand for respect of sovereignty of nations and rules-based order.
Singh emphasised that the geopolitical uncertainty and challenges such as terrorism, cross-border support to extremist elements, attempts to alter the status quo, maritime pressures, and even information warfare require constant vigilance & clarity of purpose, with reforms becoming a strategic necessity more than a choice. Reforms strengthen the adaptability of institutions, enhance the agility of the Armed Forces, and give the nation the confidence to shape its own destiny, he said, while enumerating the steps taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government to build a Sashakt, Surakshit and Viksit Bharat.
“We are strengthening border and maritime infrastructure to support security & connectivity. We are modernising our forces through new platforms, technologies, and structures. We are reforming procurement processes to ensure speed, transparency and accountability. Through Aatmanirbharta, we are building a defence industrial ecosystem that encourages innovation, supports industry, and reduces external dependencies. We are investing in start-ups, deep-tech capabilities, and R&D that will shape the battlefields of the future. We are ensuring that the interests and welfare of our soldiers, veterans and their families remain central to our decision-making,” stated Singh.
