After assuming charge as Defence Minister for the second consecutive term in Modi 3.0, Rajnath Singh outlined his vision for the next five years on Thursday, stating that the focus would be on carrying forward the priority areas with renewed thrust to establish a more secure, self-reliant and prosperous nation, an official statement said.
According to the release by the Ministry of Defence, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we will aim to further strengthen the security apparatus of the country, with a focus on achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Armed Forces modernization and the welfare of the soldiers, both serving and retired, will continue to be our main focus," Singh said while addressing the media.
Rajnath Singh added that the objective will be to increase defence exports in the years to come.
"Defence exports touched a record of Rs 21,083 crore in the financial year 2023-24. It was historic. Our target will be to export over Rs 50,000 crore worth of defence equipment by 2028-2029," Singh said.
The Defence Minister also said that the Armed Forces are being equipped with state-of-the-art weapons/platforms and they are ready to face every challenge. He commended the military personnel for protecting the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation with courage and commitment.
Earlier in the day, immediately after assuming charge, Singh chaired a review meeting on the first 100 days' action plan of the MoD under the new government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Along with Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, Secretary (ex-servicemen welfare) Niten Chandra, Secretary, Department of Defence Rand D, Chairman DRDO Samir V Kamat and other officials of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), were also present.
The meeting focused on the welfare of veterans, wherein major issues about the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare were discussed. He instructed the officers to re-dedicate themselves to fulfilling the agenda laid out in the 100-day action plan.
To enhance defence preparedness and continue the thrust on 'Aatmanirbhar Bharta' in defence, Singh stated that he will be conducting regular review meetings to fast-track the progress of the flagship schemes and the initiatives of MoD.
Emphasising the growing salience of the Indian Ocean Region in the defence calculus, the Defence Minister has decided on his first visit in this tenure to the Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam, wherein he will be interacting with the officers and sailors.
After being elected to the Lok Sabha from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh for the third consecutive time, Rajnath Singh took oath as a Union Cabinet Minister on June 9. Singh was allocated the portfolio of the Ministry of Defence for the second consecutive term on the back of a successful tenure from 2019-2024.
On the same day, Narendra Modi also took the oath as the third-time Prime Minister of India.
Under Singh's leadership, the Ministry will march ahead with renewed vigour to realise the Prime Minister's vision of making the country 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. The focus will be on attaining self-reliance in defence, further modernising the Armed Forces, innovation in cutting-edge technology, strengthening border infrastructure, and ensuring ex-servicemen's welfare, among others.
