Rajnath Singh urges industry to drive India’s strategic and economic rise at Vibrant Gujarat Conference
New Delhi, June 30. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on June 30 called on industries, entrepreneurs and innovators to become active partners in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation, asserting that regional strengths must be transformed into national capabilities and industrial growth into strategic power.
Addressing industrialists, startup founders, academicians and business leaders at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Vadodara, the Defence Minister said the vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) extends beyond economic growth and seeks to create an economically prosperous, technologically advanced and socially empowered nation.
“India’s self-reliance, technological capability and collective resolve will determine the role it plays on the global stage in the coming decades,” Singh said, highlighting the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
Emphasising the interdependence of economic strength, technology and national security, he said history had shown that great nations are built on these three pillars.
“Economic prosperity and technological advancement reinforce national security, while a secure nation provides the stability necessary for industry and innovation to flourish,” he said.
Singh underlined the role of the defence sector as a catalyst for wider economic growth, stating that investments in defence manufacturing create opportunities in infrastructure, logistics, research, industry and employment while strengthening the country’s industrial base.
Highlighting the transformation of India’s defence sector over the past decade under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the Defence Minister said the country had moved from heavy dependence on imports to emerging as a significant player in defence manufacturing and exports.
He credited the rise of indigenous platforms, growing private sector participation and the contribution of start-ups and innovators for creating a robust defence ecosystem in the country.
Referring to the government’s self-reliance initiatives, Singh said programmes such as ‘Make in India’, reforms in defence procurement procedures and the Technology Development Fund had boosted domestic capabilities in strategic sectors such as aerospace and defence.
He added that measures including simplified licensing procedures, liberalised foreign direct investment norms, the Srijan portal, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), defence testing infrastructure and self-certification mechanisms had increased confidence among micro, small and medium enterprises and startups.
According to the Defence Minister, India’s annual defence production has risen from ₹46,000 crore in 2014 to a record ₹1.78 lakh crore ($20.8 billion), while defence exports have surged from less than ₹1,000 crore to ₹38,424 crore.
Singh clarified that self-reliance does not imply isolation but means engaging with the world from a position of strength. He said the government continues to encourage collaborations with foreign original equipment manufacturers, technology transfers and joint ventures that create capabilities and value within India.
Highlighting Gujarat’s potential in the sector, he said the state’s strong industrial base, skilled workforce and entrepreneurial culture positioned it to emerge as a major hub for defence manufacturing and technology.
The Defence Minister cited the Tata Advanced Systems Limited-Airbus aircraft complex in Vadodara, where Airbus C295 transport aircraft are being manufactured, as an example of the state’s growing importance in aerospace production.
He also pointed to the production of the K9 Vajra-T self-propelled artillery system in Gujarat as evidence of the state’s contribution to India’s defence capabilities.
Observing that future warfare and economic competitiveness would increasingly depend on semiconductor technologies, Singh said the semiconductor ecosystem emerging in Sanand and Dholera would become a cornerstone of India’s technological sovereignty.
He said Gujarat’s strengths in chemicals, petrochemicals, electronics, shipbuilding, renewable energy and green hydrogen could be directly integrated with defence manufacturing requirements ranging from advanced materials and propellants to avionics, sensors, naval systems and next-generation military technologies.
On the sidelines of the conference, Singh interacted with representatives from private industry and academia during a seminar on defence and aerospace manufacturing, reiterating the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for industry participation in India’s defence modernisation efforts.
The Defence Minister also visited an exhibition showcasing products and innovations from industries, startups, MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, tribal artisans and exporters.
The Vibrant Gujarat initiative, launched in 2003 during Narendra Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, has evolved into one of India’s premier global investment and business forums. The ongoing series of regional conferences aims to promote local industrial strengths and align regional development with the broader goals of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Viksit Gujarat 2047.
