India committed to neighbourhood welfare but firm on zero tolerance for terrorism: Sanjay Seth
New Delhi, March 11. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth has reiterated that India remains committed to the welfare and development of its neighbouring countries while maintaining a strict zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.
Delivering the keynote address at a national seminar titled ‘Changing Dynamics in India’s Neighbourhood’ here Marach 11, organised by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff in New Delhi to mark its 25th anniversary, Seth said India’s foreign and security policies are guided by its civilisational ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family).
Highlighting India’s approach of combining compassion with decisive strength, he invoked the legacy of figures such as Krishna and Chhatrapati Shivaji. Seth also referred to Operation Sindoor, describing it as a landmark operation that demonstrated India’s resolve after the Pahalgam terror attack in April last year. He noted that unlike earlier wars since 1947, the operation relied heavily on indigenous military platforms, reflecting the success of the country’s push for defence self-reliance.
Outlining the transformation of India’s defence industrial ecosystem, Seth said defence exports have surged from ₹686 crore in 2014 to ₹23,622 crore in 2025. The government has set a target of ₹29,000 crore for 2026 and ₹50,000 crore by 2029. He added that the defence budget has reached a record ₹7.85 lakh crore.
According to the minister, the Department of Defence Production has indigenised 3,190 out of 5,012 defence components listed under the government’s positive indigenisation lists. He also highlighted the expansion of the MSME sector, which has grown from about one crore units in 2014 to 6.5 crore today, generating employment for around 25 crore people. India’s start-up ecosystem has similarly expanded from about 1,000 start-ups in 2014 to more than 2.9 million, making the country the world’s third-largest start-up hub.
Speaking about relations with neighbouring countries, Seth described Bangladesh as a valued trade partner and emphasised that Nepal shares deep historical, cultural and security ties with India. He noted that New Delhi continues to support Kathmandu through key infrastructure projects such as the Janakpur-Kurtha railway link, hydropower initiatives, trauma centres and the Motihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline.
During the seminar, a policy document on artificial intelligence in the military domain was also released, outlining India’s strategy for integrating AI into national security frameworks to enhance operational capabilities, decision-making and responsible technological innovation.
The event also saw the launch of SAMADH (Situational Awareness for Aerial Drones), a sovereign AI platform developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) through its Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics laboratory. The system is designed to provide real-time situational awareness across the spectrum of modern warfare, including autonomous and swarm drone operations. Additionally, the Integrated Online Training and Evaluation Programme (IOTEP) was introduced to strengthen joint operational training for mid-level military leadership.
Addressing the gathering, Asutosh Dixit highlighted the rapidly evolving geopolitical dynamics in India’s neighbourhood. He said the changing strategic landscape and emerging challenges require continuous assessment and coordinated engagement among multiple stakeholders to safeguard India’s strategic interests.
The seminar brought together senior policymakers, diplomats, military leaders and strategic experts to deliberate on the evolving security environment in India’s neighbourhood and its implications for regional stability.
