The Narendra Modi government has in the last eight years injected a new confidence into Armed Forces as India has been transformed into a strong, confident and self-reliant nation which is fully equipped to deal with all kinds of threats and challenges.
Stating this during an event in Rajasthan’s Udaipur today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that India has never attacked any country, nor has it captured an inch of foreign land, but if anyone ever tries to harm the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the nation, a befitting reply will be given.
“It is the result of the last eight years that India is no longer weak. We clarified our stand on terrorism when our Armed Forces, displaying tremendous might, carried out surgical strikes in 2016 and Balakot airstrikes in 2019. It was a proof that India’s military prowess is no less than any country,” said Singh.
The Defence Minister assured that the Armed Forces are deployed with full readiness to protect the people from anti-India elements. He added that due to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative under the leadership of PM Modi, a strong & self-reliant “New India” is moving shoulder-to-shoulder with powerful countries.
Listing a number of steps taken by the Defence Ministry to promote ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence, Singh said that foreign companies are being encouraged to manufacture in India under the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision to strengthen the domestic defence industry.
He mentioned the issuance of three positive indigenisation lists of 310 items and earmarking 68 per cent of capital procurement budget for domestic industry in Union Budget 2022-23.
The efforts taken by the government, said Singh, have started to bear fruit as India is not only catering to its own needs, but is also fulfilling the requirements of other countries. He appreciated the fact that defence exports, which were worth about Rs 900 crore eight years ago, have now grown to around Rs 13,000 crore. He revealed that a target of Rs 2.75 lakh crore worth of defence exports by 2047 has been set and exuded confidence that India is well on course to achieve the objective.
Rajnath Singh also reiterated government’s commitment to ensure the safety of Indians who not only reside within the country, but also in other parts of the world, stressing particularly on the safe return of Indian nationals from Ukraine.
Singh was in Udaipur to unveil the statue of Panna Dhai, a 16th-century nursemaid to Udai Singh II, the fourth son of Indian ruler Sangram Singh I, popularly known as Rana Sanga. Paying glowing tributes, he commended the bravery of Panna Dhai, who sacrificed her son to protect Udai Singh II, father of Maharana Pratap, in the interest of Mewar and the entire country. He urged the people to take inspiration from Panna Dhai and play their part in nation building.
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