Regional Industries Must Drive Viksit Bharat: Rajnath Singh

• Rajnath Singh called on regional industries to become partners in building Viksit Bharat.
• He said economic strength, technology and national security are the pillars of a strong nation.
• Defence production has risen to ₹1.78 lakh crore, while exports touched ₹38,424 crore.
• Raksha Mantri highlighted Gujarat’s growing role in defence manufacturing and semiconductors.

GG News Bureau
Vadodara, June 30: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called upon regional industries to become active partners in India’s Viksit Bharat mission, saying local strengths must be transformed into national capabilities, global competitiveness and strategic industrial growth.

Addressing industrialists, entrepreneurs, innovators and academicians at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Vadodara, Singh said the vision of Viksit Bharat extends beyond economic progress and aims to build a technologically advanced, economically prosperous and socially empowered nation.

“The rapidly changing geopolitical environment demands greater self-reliance, technological capability and collective national resolve. Economic strength, technological advancement and national security are the three pillars on which great nations are built,” he said.

The Defence Minister underlined that the defence sector is not confined to manufacturing military equipment but serves as a catalyst for infrastructure development, logistics, research, innovation, industrial expansion and employment generation.

Highlighting India’s transformation in defence manufacturing over the past decade, Singh said domestic defence production has increased from ₹46,000 crore in 2014 to a record ₹1.78 lakh crore, while defence exports have surged from less than ₹1,000 crore to an all-time high of ₹38,424 crore.

He attributed the growth to initiatives such as Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, the Technology Development Fund, iDEX, the Srijan Portal, simplified licensing procedures, liberalised FDI norms and expanded testing infrastructure, which have strengthened indigenous manufacturing and encouraged private sector participation.

Clarifying the government’s vision of self-reliance, Singh said Aatmanirbharta does not imply isolation but reflects India’s ability to stand on its own while engaging with the world as an equal partner through technology transfer, joint ventures and collaborations with global defence manufacturers.

The Defence Minister said Gujarat is well-positioned to emerge as a major defence manufacturing hub due to its industrial base, skilled workforce and entrepreneurial ecosystem. He highlighted projects such as the Tata-Airbus C-295 aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara and the production of the K-9 Vajra self-propelled artillery system in the state.

Emphasising the importance of advanced technologies, Singh said the semiconductor ecosystem being developed in Sanand and Dholera would strengthen India’s technological sovereignty in areas including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity and space technology.

He added that Gujarat’s strengths in chemicals, petrochemicals, electronics, shipbuilding, renewable energy and green hydrogen can significantly contribute to the country’s future defence capabilities.

During the event, the Raksha Mantri also interacted with representatives from industry, academia and start-ups, reaffirming the government’s commitment to creating a conducive ecosystem for innovation and defence manufacturing. He also visited an exhibition showcasing products and technologies from industries, MSMEs, start-ups, women entrepreneurs and tribal artisans.

Singh expressed confidence that Gujarat’s industrial ecosystem would play a key role in advancing India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047 through innovation, manufacturing excellence and strategic self-reliance.