Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the vision of a developed India is not possible without a self-reliant India. He said that if the country wants to be developed, we will have to reduce our dependence on others. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was addressing the programme after witnessing ‘Bharat Shakti’ exercise in Pokhran, Rajasthan, showcasing the prowess of indigenously manufactured defence equipment across the three services today. He said that today the country is emphasizing self-reliance in every sector, from edible oil to modern fighter aircraft. He said that the warriors of the three services are using modern equipment and weapons made in India, which is the strength of the country.
Mr. Modi said that in the last ten years, the Central Government has taken many big steps to make the country self-reliant in the defense sector. Many reforms were made at the policy level and the private sector was also involved in it. Defense corridors are being developed in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Seven thousand crore rupees have been invested in these so far and Asia’s largest helicopter manufacturing company has started operating in India. He said that hundreds of military equipment are being purchased from Indian companies. In the last ten years, defense equipment worth about Rs 6 lakh crore was purchased from indigenous companies. Defense production has more than doubled to nearly Rs 1 lakh crore. During this period, more than 150 new start-ups have successfully worked in the defence sector and started receiving orders from the defence forces. The Prime Minister said that India becoming self-reliant in the defense sector is also a guarantee of confidence in the armed forces. He said that in the last ten years, India has made several new equipments. The Cabinet recently decided that the fifth generation fighter aircraft will also be manufactured in the country.
PM said that India was once the world’s largest importer, but now it is becoming the exporter too. India’s exports have increased eight times compared to 2014.
Many dignitaries including Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, CDS General Anil Chauhan, chiefs of the all three forces were present in the programme.
