Defence Exports Reflect Global Trust in Make-in-India: Rajnath Singh
Raksha Mantri Says India's Journey Over the Past 12 Years Has Been From Shortages to Self-Reliance and Towards Viksit Bharat
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 4th July: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said India’s journey over the last 12 years has been one of transformation from shortages to self-reliance and from self-confidence towards building a Viksit Bharat, asserting that record defence exports reflect growing global confidence in the country’s indigenous capabilities.
Addressing a media event in New Delhi, Singh said the government’s “Reform, Perform, Transform” approach is laying the foundation for a developed India. He added that initiatives launched over the past decade have strengthened India’s global standing, with the world now paying greater attention to the country’s views on international issues.
Highlighting achievements in the defence sector, the minister said annual defence production reached a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26, while defence exports crossed ₹38,000 crore, rising nearly 57-fold from ₹686 crore in 2013-14. He said the figures demonstrate increasing international confidence in Make-in-India defence platforms.
Singh also cited progress in semiconductor manufacturing, digital infrastructure, mobile manufacturing, automobile exports and indigenous 5G technology, saying these initiatives have accelerated India’s technological and manufacturing capabilities.
Referring to governance reforms, he said the JAM Trinity and Direct Benefit Transfer system have enabled the transfer of ₹51 lakh crore directly to beneficiaries while preventing leakages of about ₹4.3 lakh crore. He also highlighted the growth of India’s startup ecosystem, which has expanded to over two lakh startups and 125 unicorns.
The Defence Minister said the government has pursued development alongside preservation of India’s cultural heritage through projects such as the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, Mahakal Lok and other heritage initiatives.
On the role of the media, Singh stressed that journalism carries a national responsibility, particularly on issues related to defence and national security. He said while technology and Artificial Intelligence are transforming journalism, accuracy, objectivity and impartiality must remain its guiding principles.
