Self reliance in defence aims to build a capable India to make global economy more resilient: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed on making India Atmanirbhar in Defence manufacturing. The Prime Minister said, the aim of the government is to boost defence production, develop new technology and give significant roles to private players in the defence sector. Mr Modi was addressing a seminar on Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence Manufacturing through Video Conferencing yesterday.

The Prime Minister said that the goal is to build a capable India to make the Global Economy more resilient, more stable and to bring peace in the world. He said, this is the idea behind Atmanirbharta in Defence Manufacturing. 

Mr Modi said, India has the potential to become a reliable supplier of defence equipment to many of its friendly nations. He said, it will strengthen India's strategic partnerships and strengthen India’s role as a  net security provider in the Indian Ocean region.

The Prime Minister said, a sense of confidence in the defense sector is essential for building a modern and self-reliant India. He said, when India became independent, it had a great potential and ecosystem for defense production in India but for decades no serious efforts were made.

The Prime Minister remarked that the situation is now changing as continuous and persistent efforts are being made to bring about reforms in the defence sector. Mr Modi enumerated several concrete steps undertaken in this direction such as improvement in licensing  process, creating level playing field and simplification of export process.

The Prime Minister said, the appointment of Chief of Defence Staff has resulted in better



synergy and coordination among the three services, and has helped in the scaling up of defence procurement.

The Prime Minister highlighted the opening of defence sector by permitting 74 per cent FDI through automatic route reflects the confidence of new India.

On the infrastructure initiatives, the Prime Minister spoke about two defence corridors underway in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. He said the state of the art infrastructure is being built in collaboration with the state governments of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. An investment target of 20 thousand crore rupees has been set for this in the coming 5 years.

Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government has made several bold policy reforms to promote self-reliance in the defence sector. He said, to promote Atmanirbhar Bharat in the defence manufacturing, a separate budget of 52 thousand crore rupees has been set aside for procurement from domestic vendors. Mr Singh said, a draft Production and Export Promotion policy has been formulated and it was placed in the public domain seeking suggestions from various stakeholders.

The Defence Minister said, the draft of Production and Export Promotion policy is aimed at providing greater visibility of Armed Forces requirements to the defence manufacturing industry. Chief of Defence Staff and Secretary Department of Military Affairs General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria were also present on the occasion.