New Delhi [India], May 29: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday credited India’s indigenous defence manufacturing under the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative for the success of Operation Sindoor, the country’s recent calibrated counter-terror strike across the Line of Control. Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit, Singh declared that PoK residents are India’s own and will “surely return to the mainstream.”
🇮🇳 Operation Sindoor and Make-in-India Synergy
Highlighting the strength of domestic defence capability, Singh said:
“Make-in-India is an essential component in our national security and it played a key role in India’s effective action against terrorism during Operation Sindoor.”
The operation, launched in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, saw India strike terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK, reportedly eliminating over 100 militants linked to JeM, LeT, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Singh emphasized that without homegrown military hardware and technology, India’s decisive actions would not have been possible:
“We destroyed the terrorist hideouts and then the military bases. We could have done a lot more, but we presented a great example of coordination of power and restraint.”
🇮🇳 PoK is Ours, Says Defence Minister
In a strong statement, Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s long-standing position on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK):
“PoK is a part of India. Those who got politically and geographically separated will return voluntarily. Most people there have deep ties with India. Only a few have been misled.”
He added that future talks with Pakistan would focus solely on terrorism and PoK, declaring that India’s policy on these fronts has been “redesigned and redefined.”
🛩️ AMCA Programme: Indigenous 5th Gen Fighter Aircraft
Rajnath Singh unveiled the Execution Model for India’s much-anticipated Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. The initiative marks the first major public-private partnership in India’s aerospace sector and aims to build five prototypes of a fifth-generation fighter jet.
“This bold step will take the domestic aerospace sector to greater heights,” Singh said, adding that private sector firms will have a major role alongside state-run defence PSUs.
📊 India’s Defence Industry: Soaring Numbers
Rajnath Singh shared impressive figures on India’s defence growth:
- Defence production rose from ₹43,000 crore a decade ago to ₹1.46 lakh crore today
- Private sector contributes over ₹32,000 crore
- Defence exports surged from ₹600–700 crore to ₹24,000 crore
- 16,000+ MSMEs are now integrated into the defence supply chain
🔐 Strategic Autonomy & Future Tech
India is not just building aircraft and missiles — it is moving rapidly toward New Age Warfare, Singh said. Key highlights include:
- Breakthroughs in AI, Cyber Defence, Space-Based Security, Unmanned Systems
- Building capacity as a global hub for precision engineering and next-gen manufacturing
🗣️ “Company Interest Is Karma, National Interest Is Dharma”
Closing his remarks, Singh struck a philosophical tone:
“If securing company interests is your karma, safeguarding national interests is your dharma.”
He said trust in India has reached new heights under PM Narendra Modi, reflected in global defence partnerships and rising foreign demand for Indian-made systems.
🧾 Notable Attendees
- Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi
- Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh
- Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh
- DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat
- CII President Sanjiv Puri
- Several top defence innovators, industry captains, and strategic planners
With the strong messaging on PoK, indigenous military strength, and defence exports, Rajnath Singh’s address marks a significant shift in India’s defence narrative — from being an importer to a confident global defence innovator and exporter.