India’s national security challenges becoming complex, says Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, August 19

Noting that India’s national security challenges are increasing and becoming “complex” in view of the changing geopolitical situation globally, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday strongly pitched for a strong, capable and completely ‘self-reliant’ defence industry in the country.

Singh’s comments came amid growing concerns in India and elsewhere over the Taliban sweeping across Afghanistan this month, seizing control of Afghanistan following the collapse of the US-backed government.

“Today, the security scenario in the whole world is changing very fast. Because of this, the challenges to our national security are increasing and becoming complex. There are constant changes in the global geopolitical situation,” Singh said, without making specific references.

He was speaking after launching the ‘Defence India Startup Challenge 5.0’, an initiative under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) that acts as an umbrella organisation to promote technology development for the defence sector.

Singh said considering the fast-changing security challenges, India must focus on having strong, capable, and ‘self-reliant’ defence industry to cater to the needs of the armed forces.

“It is necessary that we not only create strong, modern and well-equipped forces, but also develop our defence industry, which is equally strong, capable, and most importantly, completely ‘self-reliant’,” the defence minister said. PTI