Blitz Bureau
DEFENCE Minister Rajnath Singh, while inaugurating Asia’s largest five-day air show in Bengaluru on February 10 — ‘Aero India 2025’ — declared that “India has become a globally preferred destination for aerospace components and complex system assembly.”
Drawing a comparison to the Maha Kumbh Mela taking place in Prayagraj, Singh described ‘Aero India 2025’ as a Maha Kumbh of India’s display of might. He emphasised that India is undergoing a transformational phase, moving towards becoming a developed nation. “From physical and digital infrastructure to the startup ecosystem, industrial support base, MSMEs, and innovation, India has taken a giant leap forward,” he said.
Highlighting the rapid advancements in the defence sector, Singh stated, “A wave of innovation is sweeping across. Our research and development, MSMEs, scientists, and engineers are not just giving India a competitive edge but are proving to be world-class.”
He credited this progress to a strategic and sustained roadmap laid out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Government. “A thriving defence industry ecosystem has emerged in India due to wellplanned policies and reforms,” he noted.
Earlier, the defence sector was viewed merely as a national security necessity rather than a key economic contributor. However, Singh pointed out that the past decade has seen a paradigm shift. “We have positioned the defence industry on par with agriculture, infrastructure, and manufacturing, integrating it into the broader economy,” he asserted.
Singh urged like-minded nations to come together to address global uncertainties and emerging challenges. “The Aero India event is a confluence of state-of-the-art, frontier, and critical technologies, making it highly significant. It serves as a platform for mutual respect, shared interests, and collective benefits. We must unite to tackle today’s uncertainties and new challenges,” he said.
Singh said, “As we strengthen our relationships, our success reaches greater heights. For us, security and peace are not isolated concepts. They transcend national borders. The presence of our friends from foreign nations is a testament to our shared vision of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.’”
He added, “Peace can never be achieved from a position of helplessness. The tree of peace stands only on the strong roots of strength. To ensure lasting peace, we must come together and remain strong.” Thirty Defence ministers and 43 military chiefs from various countries are attending the events. A total of 90 nations will be represented at Aero India 2025.
