In his address at the Times Network’s India Economic Conclave on Friday, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh invoked the well-known phrase from the Hollywood blockbuster Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility”, to underscore the rising global stature of India and the accompanying responsibilities that it brings.
Singh, envisioning a developed India by 2047, asserted that India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is not just emerging but resurgent and regaining its place on the global economic map. He elaborated that this developed India will ensure universal values like democracy, religious freedom, human dignity, and world peace are upheld not only domestically but also across the globe.
The defence minister also voiced concerns about the political landscape in India, noting that while political parties are crucial to democracy, many parties in India operate without a clear ideology and often revolve around individuals, families, or castes. He urged for politics rooted in ideology and values rather than family, religion, and caste. Singh advocated for the de-criminalisation of politics, envisaging it as a medium of public service and paving the path for credible politics.
In a society that should be devoid of any discrimination, Singh also envisioned an India where no individual is judged by their religion or caste but by their knowledge and character. He further emphasised that the country’s development must include the equal participation of women and the commitment of every Indian towards their duties. Highlighting the nation’s progress under Prime Minister Modi, Singh spoke about efforts to raise India’s cultural identity to a new level. “We are constantly trying to take India’s cultural identity to a new height, and I want to see the same India in the future also where it has cultural sovereignty,” he said.
Singh also addressed the defence sector, revealing that the government’s efforts to boost indigenous defence production have paid off, with India’s annual domestic defence production crossing the Rs one lakh crore mark. A significant increase in defence equipment exports from Rs 1,000 crore about seven-eight years ago to approximately Rs 16,000 crore today was also noted.
This ambitious vision presented by Singh is a testament to the transformative journey that India aims to undertake, bolstering its defence capabilities, elevating its cultural identity, and fostering a society anchored in equality, unity, and universal values.
