Rajnath Singh Highlights India's Journey Towards Self-Reliance and Economic Growth in Kerala

Shri Rajnath Singh also touched upon India's growing influence on the global stage, citing Prime Minister Modi's diplomatic efforts in Russia and Ukraine as an example.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh underscored the importance of self-reliance across all sectors as a cornerstone of a robust economy, during an event in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on August 30, 2024. He reiterated the government's commitment to realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and detailed the steps being taken to bolster India's defence production and innovation ecosystem.

Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted several initiatives by the Ministry of Defence, including the establishment of Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and the issuance of five Positive Indigenisation Lists, covering over 5,500 items. He proudly announced that the GE-414 engines would now be manufactured in India, marking a significant milestone in the country's engine-making capabilities. Reflecting on his recent visit to the United States, the Raksha Mantri mentioned fruitful discussions with US defence companies eager to participate in the 'Make in India' program.

He noted a paradigm shift in India's defence landscape, stating that while the country once relied heavily on imports for its defence needs—with 65-70% of equipment sourced from abroad—today, 65% of defence equipment is manufactured domestically, with only 35% imported. The Raksha Mantri also shared that India's annual defence production has surpassed Rs 1.27 lakh crore, with a target of Rs 1.75 lakh crore for the current fiscal year. He expressed confidence in reaching a production goal of Rs 3 lakh crore by 2029.

India's defence exports have also seen remarkable growth, crossing Rs 21,000 crore in the 2023-24 fiscal year. The government aims to further increase these exports to Rs 50,000 crore by 2029.

Shri Rajnath Singh also touched upon India's growing influence on the global stage, citing Prime Minister Modi's diplomatic efforts in Russia and Ukraine as an example. He pointed out that India has become the leading voice of the Global South, with countries worldwide paying close attention to its views on major issues. He mentioned the prestigious honors bestowed upon Prime Minister Modi by Russia and other nations, including several Muslim-majority countries.

The Raksha Mantri praised the significant transformations India has undergone in the past decade, attributing these changes to both the government and the people. He emphasized that India's economic growth has been particularly noteworthy, with the country emerging from the "Fragile Five" to become one of the "Fabulous Five." India's economy grew by 8.2% in the last fiscal year, making it the fastest-growing major economy for the second consecutive year. He highlighted India's rise from the 11th to the 5th largest economy globally and projected that it will become the 3rd largest economy by 2027, according to Morgan Stanley.

Despite rapid economic growth, Shri Rajnath Singh assured that inflation remains under control, citing July's retail inflation rate of 3.54%, the lowest in five years. He also noted the dramatic increase in start-ups, with India now boasting over 100,000, making it the third-largest start-up ecosystem globally.

Good governance remains a priority for the government, with a focus on stability, consistency, and continuity in policies. Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the government's effective response during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring timely availability of life-saving resources, food security for the poor, and rapid distribution of Made in India vaccines.

The Raksha Mantri also commended the success of initiatives like the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' and 'Open Defecation Free India,' and acknowledged the impact of schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana in meeting the people's needs.

On gender parity and women's empowerment, Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the government's efforts through programs like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. He condemned the practice of Triple Talaq and reaffirmed the government's strict stance against crimes against women, calling for stricter implementation of laws, especially in light of recent tragic incidents.

He also highlighted the growing role of women in the Armed Forces, noting the removal of barriers to their entry and the introduction of Permanent Commission and admission to the National Defence Academy for women. "Our government is marching ahead with the vision of women empowerment and women-led development," he concluded.