Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at the JITO Connect 2025 event in Hyderabad, underscored India’s commitment to national security and self-reliance in defense manufacturing. He highlighted past military operations, including the 2016 Surgical Strikes and 2019 Balakot Air Strikes, asserting that India will not hesitate to cross borders to protect its citizens and territorial integrity. Singh emphasized a significant growth in defense exports, which have surged from Rs 600 crore a decade ago to over Rs 24,000 crore today, aiming for Rs 50,000 crore by 2029. He noted recent agreements to procure 97 Light Combat Aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, featuring over 64% indigenous content, reflecting India’s trajectory towards self-sufficiency in defense. The Minister praised the Jain community for their substantial contributions to India’s economic development despite their small population size, citing their pivotal role across various sectors and their commitment to values such as non-violence and education. This focus on indigenous manufacturing aligns with the government’s broader vision of making India a global manufacturing hub, further supported by its predicted status as the third-largest economy by 2030 with a GDP of $7.3 trillion. The emphasis on self-reliance in defense signifies a transformative approach to national security, moving away from reliance on foreign suppliers, and showcases India’s ambition to assert itself as a major player in the global defense landscape while safeguarding its cultural and human values.