President Kovind graces the valedictory ceremony of 13th Aero India Show

President Ramnath Kovind graced the valedictory ceremony of 13th Aero India Show in Bengaluru today. He described Aero India 2021 as a living proof of India's ever-growing strength in the defence and aerospace sectors at the global level. The President expressed confidence that the 13th edition of Aero India will contribute significantly towards strengthening India’s self-reliance in the defence sector as well as establishing India as a manufacturer for the world. He said that the event has exhibited that the global confidence in India’s capabilities is growing steadily.

The reforms initiated in India in the last six years offer unprecedented opportunities to investors and private companies in the defence and aerospace sectors. He expressed confidence that the number of policy initiatives aimed at placing India among the top nations in the defence sector will meet the twin objectives of self-reliance and export promotion. He said, it is our vision to create a robust economy and infrastructure alongside developing competitive supply chains and integrate them globally. 

Saying that India strongly believed in peaceful co-existence, the President



recalled India’s stated commitment to use its vaccine production and delivery capacity to help the entire humanity fight the Covid-19 pandemic. He said that under Operation SAGAR 1 India reached out to our neighbours and assisted them with medical teams, medicines as well as diagnostic kits, ventilators, masks, gloves and other medical supplies.  

Speaking during the valedictory ceremony, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed that 121 MoUs, 19 transfer of technologies, four handing over of new defence products, 32 major announcements and launching of 18 new products were the outcome of this edition of Aero India international event. The Indian Ocean region Defence ministers’ Conclave, he informed, saw participation from 28 countries that will help synergise resources in this region. The Chief of Air staff conclave, he added, had attendance from 19 countries that exchanged ideas on use of technology for future warfare.

Over 500 companies from 60 countries participated in the three days Aero India show and 4.5 lakh people were virtually connected with the event. During the Aero India show, 35 MSMEs earned business worth 203 crore rupees.