India’s Defence Procurement: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday that India’s defence buying will go over Rs 2 lakh crore this year. He explained that most of this money, about 75%, will go only to Indian companies. The government is trying hard to make India self-reliant in defence and build its own strong base.
He was speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025 where the theme was “Defence, Diplomacy, and Deterrence: Shaping India’s Strategic Horizon.” Singh told the gathering that the defence budget is already Rs 6.21 lakh crore and will rise further after Operation Sindoor.
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He said the main goal is to give power to Indian private companies so they can stand equal to the biggest global defence makers. He added, “when you make in India, you make for the world.”
The minister also invited foreign defence companies to join hands with India. He promised that India will give faster approvals and open chances for co-production if they invest in the defence ecosystem.
India’s economic rise
Singh also connected defence with India’s economic growth story. He said India’s service exports have more than doubled in the last ten years while inflation has dropped. He pointed out that well-known economist Jagdish Bhagwati once said India used to follow the World Bank’s ideas but today India has grown enough to shape global economic thinking itself.
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He also spoke about the struggles Indians are facing in universities and jobs abroad because of increasing negative feelings about immigration. Singh said this could be turned into a good chance for the country. He explained, “If Indians face difficulties in universities or jobs overseas, we must focus on creating an environment that attracts them back.” He stressed that India should no longer just consume new technology from outside but work to create new technology of its own.
