New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday highlighted India’s growing indigenous defence capabilities, youth-led innovation and progress towards self-reliance, while outlining the government’s vision of building a developed India by 2047.
Addressing an event in Kochi, Kerala, Singh said India’s development journey over the past 12 years had been shaped by its ability to face challenges with confidence and turn adversity into opportunities.
He pointed to the growth of indigenous defence production as a key example of India’s increasing capabilities. According to Singh, defence production, which stood at around Rs 40,000 crore in 2014, has now reached nearly Rs 1.80 lakh crore.
Defence exports, he said, have also increased from around Rs 600 crore to approximately Rs 40,000 crore, with Indian defence equipment now reaching around 100 countries.
Singh also highlighted the contribution of young Indians to the country’s technological and economic transformation, according to an official statement.
He said the youth were building start-ups and unicorns while working on areas including drones, hydrogen trains, rockets and satellites.
Referring to India’s security challenges, the minister said the government remained committed to protecting citizens and national sovereignty. He cited Operation Sindoor as an example of India’s willingness to cross the border to eliminate threats to the country’s sovereignty and integrity. He also said Naxalism had been brought to an end.
Singh said India’s progress should not be viewed only through the lens of economic growth, but also through improvements in social welfare and the strengthening of national confidence. He said more than 250 million people had been lifted out of poverty over the past 10 to 12 years.
He cited initiatives including UPI, PM SHRI, Ayushman Bharat, Lakhpati Didi, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission and Ujjwala Yojana as examples of efforts towards more inclusive development. He also said UPI, which he described as the world’s largest real-time payment system, had been adopted by more than 11 countries.
The minister further pointed to India’s role in addressing global challenges, saying the country had achieved several climate targets ahead of schedule. He also recalled India’s vaccination efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that vaccines were provided free to people in India and more than 300 million doses were sent to 100 countries.
Singh said India’s influence was also being reflected through initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance, while International Yoga Day had become a global observance.
Speaking about India’s cultural and civilisational heritage, Singh said modernisation should go hand in hand with an appreciation of the country’s traditions. He emphasised the importance of making young people more aware of India’s history, culture and heritage, saying this would contribute to stronger national consciousness.
He also highlighted the role of the media in a democracy, describing journalism as the fourth pillar of democracy.
Singh said an independent and impartial press was an important instrument for ensuring accountability and stressed that the media should not only report news but also ask difficult questions, bring the truth before the public and hold those in power accountable.
Calling youth the country’s greatest strength, Singh urged young Indians to contribute to India’s economic, social and technological transformation. He said a confident, capable and socially inclusive India could emerge as a developed nation and play a greater role in shaping the future of the world.
