New Delhi: India does not seek to occupy the territory of any country but will take necessary measures to protect its security and strategic autonomy when threatened, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday.
Addressing a Defence Conclave in New Delhi, Singh said India believes in peace and global stability but cautioned that its peaceful approach should not be mistaken for weakness.
He said there could be no scope for dialogue with countries that promote terrorism against India, adding that nations supporting or sheltering terrorists must be made to understand that terrorism cannot be used as a strategic instrument.
Singh said national security was not the responsibility of the armed forces alone but a collective responsibility of citizens. He called for placing national interest above divisions based on religion, caste, language, region and other identities.
Describing India as a civilisational power, he said the country’s rise was based on inclusive development and cooperation. He highlighted the principles of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas as important elements of India’s approach to the world.
Singh highlighted India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities, saying defence exports rose from ₹686 crore in 2013-14 to a record ₹38,424 crore in 2025-26. India now exports defence equipment to more than 100 countries and has set a target of ₹50,000 crore in exports by 2029.
The defence allocation has increased to ₹7.85 lakh crore for 2026-27, compared with around ₹2.53 lakh crore in 2013-14. About 75% of the capital acquisition budget, or ₹1.39 lakh crore, has been earmarked for domestic procurement.
He said India was developing capabilities in areas ranging from drones and aircraft engines to advanced fighter aircraft, missiles, radars and other defence systems.
The Defence Minister said 509 defence platforms and systems had been included in five indigenisation lists, while DPSUs had identified 5,417 items for domestic production.
He also highlighted the growing role of private companies, startups and MSMEs. More than 16,000 MSMEs are now part of India’s defence ecosystem, alongside DPSUs, research institutions and startups.
Singh said the changing nature of warfare, including cyber, space, electronic and information warfare, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, quantum technology and hypersonic systems, required India to develop future-ready capabilities.
He also announced that DRDO-developed technologies for conventional missile systems would be transferred to eligible Indian industries for production, with the aim of strengthening domestic manufacturing and ensuring timely supplies to the armed forces.
Singh said India’s long-term objective was to build indigenous capabilities across the entire defence spectrum and reduce dependence on imports while strengthening strategic autonomy and defence preparedness.
