"Our aim is to build an 'Aatmanirbhar' defence sector": Rajnath Singh

New Delhi [India], June 19 : Laying out the roadmap of India's Swarnim Bhavishya from the military and security perspective, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday asserted that the government is committed to building an India which is completely self-reliant in the defence sector and possesses state-of-the-art weapons & technologies, said a press release by Ministry of Defence on Monday.

Singh was addressing an event, organised on the theme 'Swarnim Bhavishya', in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, added the press release.

He asserted that the steps taken by the Government in the last few years have ensured the holistic development of the country, social cohesion and re-connected the people with the nation's rich cultural heritage.

The Defence Minister touched upon some of the path-breaking decisions, including Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat & abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, besides India's brave fight against COVID-19 pandemic and measures to get rid of the colonial mindset while instilling the feeling of pride in Indian heritage, traditions & values among the people.

He also shed light on the steps taken towards women's empowerment, including the construction of pucca houses with toilets in rural areas and ensuring that females get equal opportunities as their male counterparts in every field.

He also highlighted the efforts being made to ensure that the country's youth have ample opportunities if they wish to serve the motherland as defence scientists.

On the decisions taken to increase the role of women in the Armed Forces, he stated that doors have been opened for girls for admission in Sainik Schools and female officers are being posted at the world's highest battlefield in Siachen glacier as well as on warships. He added that efforts are being made to make the country completely safe for women and provide them with abundant opportunities.

"We have established new IITs & NITs and the number of seats has also increased. In addition, we have invited ideas in the defence sector through the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative and Technology Development Fund (TDF) which aims to promote start-ups. Due to these steps and many other reforms, India is well on course to soon become one of the leading defence exporters from an importer. We are building a strong and self-reliant India which is the flag-bearer of regional & global peace and, at the same time, has the wherewithal to give a befitting reply to those who try to cast an evil eye," Singh said.

The Defence Minister lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for transforming India's image on the global stage to an assertor from a mere observer. While India is the world's third-largest economy in terms of Purchasing Power Parity, it will, by 2027, become the third-largest economy in terms of nominal GDP as well, he hoped. He voiced the Government's vision to bring India at the forefront in terms of GDP while connecting the people with its country's traditions and culture.