New Delhi (TIP): Noting that India‘s national security challenges are increasing and becoming “complex” in view of the changing geopolitical situation globally, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday, August 19,  strongly pitched for a strong, capable and completely ‘self-reliant’ defense 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 ‘Defense India Startup Challenge 5.0’, an initiative under the Innovations for Defense Excellence (iDEX) that acts as an umbrella organization to promote technology development for the defense sector. Singh said considering the fast-changing security challenges, India must focus on having strong, capable, and ‘self-reliant’ defense 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 defense industry, which is equally strong, capable, and most importantly, completely ‘self-reliant’,” the defense minister said.       Source: PTI