The Defence Minister enumerated the robust steps taken by the government to deal with contemporary threats. The decisions include the unveiling of Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020; establishment of Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh & Tamil Nadu; notification of positive indigenisation lists; increase in FDI limit and launch of the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative. He said: “Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, with a focus on self-reliance in the defence sector, forms the bedrock of our vision. The emphasis on indigenous capabilities aligns with our aim to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. This must not be seen as an isolationist approach, as we are very much open to foreign investment, collaboration, joint R&D and co-production within the broader framework of ‘Make in India’ initiative.”Rajnath Singh added that the ‘Make in India’ campaign has witnessed success through indigenous projects such as Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’, INS Vikrant, and DRDO’s missile programmes. “Today, we are also witnessing the fruits of our endeavour in the rising exports of defence items. Currently, India is exporting defence items to over 100 nations, with the top three destinations for defence exports in 2023-24 being the USA, France, and Armenia. We hope to achieve the target of Rs 50,000 crore worth of defence exports by 2029,” he stated.The DDD is a flagship platform of MP-IDSA for addressing the multifaceted challenges of defence and security in India. As the landscape of warfare becomes increasingly complex, the platform is designed to discuss the evolving landscape of international security and defence strategies, with a focus on India’s defence. The dialogue aims to exchange views and foster collaboration among defence experts, policymakers, and military leaders.Further, as India navigates a complex geopolitical landscape, the DDD serves as a critical forum for addressing the need for a robust defence strategy that not only addresses immediate threats but also anticipates future challenges.
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