Self-reliance key to navigating global uncertainty, says Rajnath Singh at maritime dialogue in Kolkata

Kolkata, March 6. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has underscored the importance of self-reliance in the defence and maritime sectors, warning that growing global uncertainties and shifting geopolitical dynamics demand stronger domestic capabilities.

Speaking at ‘Sagar Sankalp – Reclaiming India’s Maritime Glory’, a defence and maritime dialogue jointly organised by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and a private media organisation in Kolkata on March 6, the minister said that rapid changes in the global order, supply chain disruptions and rising maritime activity have reinforced the need for India to achieve self-sufficiency across sectors.

“Self-reliance is the only way to stay relevant and prepared in the current era of uncertainty,” Singh said, pointing to evolving geopolitical tensions as an example of the unpredictable international environment. Referring to the ongoing crisis in West Asia, he noted that instability in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Persian Gulf region can significantly affect global energy supplies and trade. According to him, disruptions in these strategic waterways directly influence the supply of oil and gas and have broader implications for the global economy.

The minister said the world is witnessing a rapid transformation of traditional geopolitical assumptions.

“Old ideas and the old global order are changing quickly. What is more worrying is that the abnormal situation we see today is slowly becoming the new normal,” he observed.

Highlighting the role of technology in shaping modern warfare and defence preparedness, Singh said advanced and precision technologies are increasingly defining the sector. The government, he added, is prioritising indigenous development of defence technologies to ensure readiness for emerging and future challenges.

He outlined several structural and policy reforms introduced by the government to boost defence production, including measures to improve transparency, strengthen financial discipline and enhance research and development. Public sector defence companies, he said, remain central to India’s self-reliance vision, with shipyards such as GRSE playing a key role in building a strong domestic industrial ecosystem.

According to Singh, the government aims to transform shipyards into advanced technology hubs through infrastructure modernisation, digital ship design tools, modular construction techniques and integrated supply chains.

The Defence Minister also emphasised efforts to create a level playing field for private industry in the defence sector. These include simplified import-export processes, access to research facilities of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), green channel certification, the establishment of defence industrial corridors and the opening up of certain orders previously reserved for public sector defence units.

These reforms, he said, are intended not just to facilitate private sector participation but to enable it to play a larger role alongside public sector enterprises in strengthening the country’s defence manufacturing capabilities.

Singh said these initiatives have already produced tangible results. India’s domestic defence production crossed a record ₹1.5 lakh crore in the 2024-25 financial year, while defence exports reached an all-time high of about ₹24,000 crore. Exports are expected to touch nearly ₹29,000 crore by April 2026, with the government targeting ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029-30.

He noted that private industry currently contributes around 25 percent of the defence platforms, equipment and accessories produced in the country, expressing confidence that this share could rise to 50 percent in the coming years.

Singh also highlighted that all warships and submarines currently on order for the Indian Navy are being constructed in domestic shipyards, covering everything from design and engineering to construction and lifecycle support.

“Self-reliance is no longer just a slogan; it is becoming a practical reality. A ‘Builder’s Navy’ is now a ground reality,” he said.

The minister also acknowledged the contributions of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), startups and indigenous vendors in warship construction, describing shipbuilding as a collaborative effort that benefits from what he called the “conglomerate effect” – a system that fosters innovation, efficiency and risk-sharing across the ecosystem.

To strengthen India’s shipbuilding capabilities, Singh said the government has introduced financial assistance schemes, long-term funding mechanisms, liberalised foreign direct investment norms and promoted public-private partnership models. Under the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 initiatives, investments worth around ₹3 lakh crore are planned to develop world-class shipbuilding clusters.

Concluding his address, Singh said coordinated planning, technology adoption and institutional collaboration will be crucial for securing India’s maritime future. He cited the operational preparedness of the Indian Navy and recent missions such as Operation Sindoor as indicators that India’s defence sector is moving in the right direction.

“Our goal is to make India one of the world’s top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and among the top five by 2047,” he said.

Earlier, GRSE Chairman and Managing Director PR Hari highlighted India’s maritime heritage and the growth of indigenous shipbuilding capability. He said the country’s transition from a “buyer’s navy” to a “builder’s navy” marked a decisive step toward strengthening its industrial base. Hari cited the delivery of INS Ajay in 1961 as an early milestone in this journey and pointed to the next generation of indigenous platforms currently under construction.

The conclave brought together senior naval leaders, policymakers and industry stakeholders to discuss ways to strengthen India’s maritime security architecture and expand its shipbuilding ecosystem. Discussions focused on aligning naval shipbuilding with emerging geopolitical challenges, countering grey-zone threats, strengthening domestic supply chains and positioning India as a competitive global hub for shipbuilding and ship repair.