On Wednesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored the critical need for the Indian Armed Forces to transform into a modern and robust force to address the challenges of contemporary warfare. Speaking at the Gaurav Gatha event in Pune during the 77th Army Day celebrations, Singh emphasized the evolving nature of conflicts driven by technological advancements, unconventional warfare tactics, and the growing threat of terrorism by non-state actors.
"Conflicts and wars will become more violent and unpredictable. The emergence of non-state actors in many countries and their resorting to terrorism is also a matter of concern," he said, while highlighting the rise of cyber and space as emerging war zones. He stressed the importance of narrative and perception warfare in today’s geopolitical landscape, calling for holistic capacity building within the Armed Forces.
Singh linked a strong military with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of transforming India into a developed nation, or Viksit Bharat, by 2047. He pointed out that robust security, secure borders, and self-reliance in defence manufacturing are essential for achieving this goal.
"India is currently transitioning from a developing country to a developed one. But this progress requires a fool-proof security apparatus, as no nation can develop unless its military is powerful," Singh said.
The Defence Minister highlighted India’s strides in self-reliance, with domestic defence production reaching an all-time high of ₹1.27 lakh crore in the last financial year. Defence exports also soared to ₹21,000 crore from ₹2,000 crore a decade ago. He credited the Ministry of Defence’s indigenisation efforts, including a positive list of over 5,500 items, for this success.
Singh announced 2025 as the Year of Reforms for the Ministry of Defence, focusing on modernizing the Armed Forces. Virtually laying the foundation stone for the Army Paralympic Node in Pune, he expressed hope that the initiative would inspire specially-abled soldiers.
Singh concluded by reiterating India's commitment to peace, stating, "India has always prioritized 'Buddha' over 'Yuddha'. Peace is not a weakness but a sign of strength."
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