Defence Minister says India’s foreign and defence policy is guided by national interests.
30 August 2025, New Delhi
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s commitment to aatmanirbharta, or self-reliance in defence, on Saturday, stating that there are “no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests.” The ongoing trade tensions with the United States and the slow thawing of India-China relations were the backdrop for his comments. Highlighting the progress made in indigenisation, Singh pointed out the commissioning of two Nilgiri-class stealth frigates, INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri, and declared that all future warships of the Indian Navy would be built domestically. He further announced that the country’s indigenously developed defence system, the Sudarshan Chakra, would soon be unveiled, marking another milestone in India’s journey towards defence independence.
Underscoring the shifting nature of global geopolitics, Singh said that external dependency in defence can no longer be considered an option. “Self-reliance is not just an advantage but a necessity for both economic strength and national security,” he stated. He also observed that the world is witnessing a “war-like situation for trade,” with developed nations becoming increasingly protectionist, but maintained that India will never compromise on its national interests. Singh emphasised how India’s precision attacks in the wake of the Pahalgam terror assault demonstrated the might and efficacy of domestic defence systems, citing Operation Sindoor.
The minister also noted the sharp rise in India’s defence exports, which have surged from under ₹700 crore in 2014 to nearly ₹24,000 crore today, reflecting the country’s transformation from being a major importer to an emerging exporter of defence equipment. Through these initiatives and achievements, Singh reiterated that India’s defence policy is firmly anchored in strengthening self-reliance while safeguarding national interests in a rapidly changing world order
