NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasized the need for enhanced cohesiveness within the global community, given the current volatile security environment, which is marked by multiple conflicts and challenges. Speaking at the Ambassadors’ Round-Table in New Delhi on January 10, 2025, he called for overcoming present geopolitical tensions to ensure mutual prosperity and global peace.
“It is of paramount importance that the like-minded countries should strive together for collective actions for peace and prosperity. Without these, our future generations will not be able to take advantage of economic growth or technological innovations that we are experiencing in today’s era,” Rajnath Singh told the gathering of Ambassadors and High Commissioners from various countries.
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The Defence Minister highlighted that India is emerging as a leading voice for the Global South, advocating for a multi-aligned policy approach that incorporates diverse views in the collective pursuit of prosperity. He pointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s five guiding principles: Respect, Dialogue, Cooperation, Peace, and Prosperity, which reflect India’s commitment to addressing global challenges.
“India has always championed shared prosperity and responsibility, underpinned by the fundamental principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—‘One Earth, One Family’—a theme embraced during the 2023 G-20 Summit,” he added.
Rajnath Singh also discussed the significance of Aero India, Asia’s largest aerospace and defence show, describing it as an event where nations form bonds that transcend boundaries. He noted that Aero India serves as a forum for showcasing cutting-edge products and technologies while fostering strategic partnerships in the aerospace and defence sectors.
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“Aero India is a meeting ground for industries to explore opportunities for business, technology transfer, joint development, and co-production,” he said. “It is a vital platform for friendly nations to jointly explore strengths and capabilities, addressing both strategic and tactical needs.”
The Defence Minister emphasized India’s growing stature as one of the largest defence industrial ecosystems in Asia. He pointed out the government’s commitment to further enhancing these capabilities, citing the collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus Defence & Space to establish a C-295 transport aircraft manufacturing facility for the Indian Air Force.
“India has emerged as an attractive destination for investment, and Aero India 2025 offers an opportunity for nations to explore new avenues for collaboration in defence industries,” he said. “The event will serve as a vital forum for exploring partnerships that will form the foundation for future challenges.”
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Rajnath Singh underscored the growing importance of air and space power in shaping military strategies. He described aerospace power as the new frontier of military dominance, with assets integrated with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning systems providing a strategic deterrence in battlefield scenarios.
In line with India’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat,’ Rajnath Singh highlighted the government’s transformative policy reforms aimed at bolstering the defence and aerospace industries. He mentioned initiatives promoting domestic design, development, manufacturing, and exports, further solidifying aerospace as a core sector in India’s self-reliance strategy.
“Through public and private sector participation, India is making significant strides in developing cutting-edge technologies in the aerospace and defence sectors,” he said.
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Rajnath Singh expressed his eagerness to welcome delegates from various countries to Aero India 2025, where new opportunities for collaboration in defence industrial enterprises will be explored. He also extended a personal invitation to the senior leadership of foreign nations to attend the event.
The Ambassadors’ Round-Table was attended by senior officials, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, among others.