Believe in peace but won’t compromise on sovereignty: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India believes in peace and dialogue, but when it comes to the nation’s sovereignty and the security of its people, “we do not compromise”.

“Our armed forces are a driving force that enables India to address neighbourhood challenges while contributing to regional stability,” the minister said while speaking at the two-day Chanakya Defence Dialogue, which concluded today.

India, he said, has emerged as a voice of balance and responsibility in the current global environment. “India’s economic growth, technological capabilities and principled foreign policy have made it a voice of balance and responsibility in the changing global scenario, with countries across the Indo-Pacific and the Global South viewing us as a reliable partner,” he added.

Reforms, Singh said, have become a strategic necessity rather than a choice. “We are strengthening border and maritime infrastructure to support security and connectivity,” he added.

The armed forces were being equipped with new platforms, technologies and structures, he noted. Procurement processes were being revamped to ensure speed, transparency and accountability.

“We are investing in startups, deep-tech capabilities and R&D that will shape the battlefields of the future,” he said.

The Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025, organised by the Army in collaboration with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies, brought together military leaders, global strategic experts, diplomats, industry leaders and young scholars to examine India’s security challenges and technological frontiers in an increasingly contested global landscape. The two-day event aimed to create a comprehensive platform for strategic deliberation on India’s future security architecture.