Aero India: India believes international order & peace cannot be ensured from position of weakness, says Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (Courtesy: PTI file photo)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday that international order and peace cannot be ensured from a position of weakness. The increasing number of conflicts, he said, is making our world a more unpredictable place.

Singh asserted that the evolving global security scenario demands innovative approaches and stronger partnerships while addressing the Defence Ministers' Conclave organised as part of the Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru.

"India believes that international order and peace cannot be ensured from a position of weakness. And towards this, we have been working very hard, to bring about a transformation in our defence capabilities. We have put in place a very conducive policy regime, which encourages investment and production of an entire range of modern state-of-the-art land, maritime and air systems," he said .

"Today, increasing number of conflicts is making our world, a more unpredictable place. New power plays, new methods and new means of weaponisation, increased role of non-state actors and disruptive technologies, have made the world order more fragile," Singh added.

The Defence Minister believes that the distinction between security of the borders and internal security is getting blurred, as hybrid warfare can target critical national infrastructure even during the peace time.

"The definition of front line is changing fast today. Moreover, the dimensions of cyberspace and outer space are challenging the established definition of sovereignty." "It is my firm belief that the evolving global security scenario demands innovative approaches and stronger partnerships. India's engagements in the global stage exemplifies our commitment to fostering security and growth for all," Singh added.

According to officials, the Defence Ministers' Conclave, organised in hybrid mode, is aimed at strengthening defence cooperation with friendly nations amidst a rapidly-evolving global security landscape, and this year's theme 'Building Resilience through International Defence and Global Engagement (BRIDGE)' underscores the importance of supply chain resilience and strategic collaboration in defence.

Singh reiterated India's conviction on being strong to ensure peace and said, "We have been working very hard, to bring about a transformation in our defence capabilities. We have put in place a very conducive policy regime which encourages investment in and production of an entire range of modern state-of-the-art land, maritime and air systems."

India's emergence as a global hub for research, development, and innovation in defence is a testament to our capabilities and aspirations, he added.

"Today, we have a vibrant defence startup ecosystem within the larger Indian startup ecosystem, which ranks third globally in terms of unicorn count," Singh concluded.