How is Rajnath Singh Showcasing India’s Global Leadership and Defence Reforms?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India is seen as a reliable partner in the Indo-Pacific and Global South.
- Strategic autonomy and responsible diplomacy are central to India's global conversations.
- Reforms enhance military adaptability and national resilience.
- Aatmanirbhar Bharat aims for innovation in defense.
- Continuous vigilance is necessary against geopolitical uncertainties.
New Delhi, Nov 27 (NationPress) The economic progress, technological advancements, and principled foreign policy of India have established it as a "voice of balance and responsibility" within a swiftly evolving global landscape, stated Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday.
During his speech at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue, themed 'Reform to Transform – Sashakt, Surakshit aur Viksit Bharat', he noted that countries in the Indo-Pacific and the Global South increasingly regard India as a reliable ally.
Rajnath Singh emphasized that India is influencing global discussions through "strategic autonomy, civilizational values, and responsible diplomacy".
He pointed out that the international trust placed in India is grounded in significant reforms made by the government and its unwavering commitment to sovereignty and a rules-based international order.
In light of ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, he identified terrorism, cross-border support for extremist entities, efforts to change the status quo, maritime tensions, and information warfare as critical challenges that necessitate continuous vigilance.
"Reforms enhance the adaptability of institutions, improve the agility of the Armed Forces, and empower the nation to shape its own future," he remarked.
The Defence Minister outlined various government initiatives aimed at establishing a robust and secure India — from fortifying border and maritime infrastructure to modernizing the military with cutting-edge platforms and technologies.
Reforms in procurement methodologies are designed to ensure transparency and efficiency, while the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative is fostering a resilient defense industrial ecosystem that lessens external dependencies and encourages innovation, he elaborated.
He highlighted that resilience holds equal importance to capability, declaring the armed forces as the strongest pillar of national resilience.
"India advocates for peace and dialogue; however, when it concerns the sovereignty and security of its people, we do not waver," he stated, commending the military’s contributions to disaster response, maritime security, and international collaboration.
Present at the event were Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, Earth Sciences Secretary Dr. M. Ravichandran, Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) DG Lt General Dushyant Singh (retd), NTPC Chairman Gurdeep Singh, foreign military attaches, members of the diplomatic community, scholars from think tanks and academia, along with civil and military officials.
The Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025, organized by the Indian Army in partnership with CLAWS, has convened military leaders, global strategic specialists, diplomats, industry pioneers, and emerging scholars to explore India’s security challenges and technological frontiers within an increasingly competitive global context.
This two-day event, which began on November 27, aims to foster a comprehensive platform for strategic discussions regarding India’s future security framework.