‘India has potential for reliable arms supplier’

India has chartered a plan to build defence partnerships with nations on the Indian Ocean rim while strengthening ties with immediate neighbours. Participating in a series of seminars and conclaves in connection with on-going Aero India 2021 here, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said: “India has a vast coastline but our interests are beyond our shores, touching various continents, especially in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Whether it is piracy, security, disasters or any other need, India has always offered assistance and we want to be a reliable partner, in line with Prime Minister Modi’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative,” Singh said Wednesday. The plan has gained strength with India’s growing defence capabilities.

While speaking of the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean Region, the minister emphasised on the volatile situation along the LAC without naming the country. “There are attempts to change the status quo (along the borders) but India is alert and prepared to defeat such attempts,” Singh said.

“The domestic defence market is growing. We’ve earmarked $130 bn for military modernisation for the next eight years. The defence sector has been opened up and we encourage foreign OEMs to collaborate with Indian firms,” he said. “A high-level committee has been formed to expedite clearances needed for exports. India has the potential to become a reliable supplier of defence equipment and there are 5,000 MSMEs in the sector apart from one of the fastestgrowing startup ecosystems,” the Defence Minister said.