Taking an indirect jibe at the US President Donald Trump over the recent additional tariffs imposed on India, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Sunday said that some people are unhappy with the pace at which India is growing as a global power.
Diplomatic tensions have flared following Donald Trump’s announcement of a 50 per cent tariff and punitive measures in response to India’s continued imports of Russian oil. “There are some people who are not happy with the speed at which India is developing. They are not liking it. ‘Sabka boss toh hum hain’, how is India growing at such a fast pace?” the Defence Minister said.
“Many are trying to ensure that products made in India, by Indian hands, become more expensive than those made in other countries, so that when prices rise, the world will stop buying them. This effort is underway. But India is advancing so rapidly that I say with full confidence: no power in the world can now stop India from becoming a major global power,” he added.
Singh was addressing the gathering during the foundation stone laying ceremony of BEML Rail Hub for Manufacturing (BRAHMA), a Greenfield Rail Manufacturing facility at Umariya, Madhya Pradesh.
Stating that Operation Sindoor is proof that India possesses the capability to defeat its enemies with home-grown strength, the Defence Minister said that the operation was a symbol of India’s self-reliance and self-confidence. “The Indian Armed Forces effectively utilised indigenous equipment, which played a pivotal role in the success of the operation. India was able to reach this position only because it has taken the pledge to become Aatmanirbhar in the defence sector,” he said.
Adding that India’s defence exports remain intact despite the current situation, the Defence Minister said that it continues to grow. “India is not only manufacturing equipment on its soil, but is also catering to the security needs of friendly countries. Our defence production and exports are increasing at an unprecedented pace and have touched record figures. This is the new defence sector of the new India,” he said.
He further added that with the economic development and economic self-reliance witnessed by the nation in the last decade, the nation is poised to become the third-largest economy in the world. Persistent efforts are being made by the double-engine government to take the economy forward at an even faster pace, he said and exuded confidence of achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047,” he said.
Speaking about the initiative, Singh said that projects like Brahma were critical in building the industrial and technological base needed for both national security and economic growth.
He also lauded the role of BEML in strengthening the defence sector, adding that the BRAHMA project would bolster the DPSU’s position as a global supplier of mobility solutions.
“BEML stands as a pillar in India’s journey towards industrial and defence self-reliance. Projects like BRAHMA reaffirm our economic resolve to be self-reliant, globally competitive, and future-ready. This is how we will build a strong, secure, and prosperous India,” he stated.