Rajnath Singh Hails India’s Defence Resolve, Growth and Jain Legacy in Hyderabad

In a powerful address at an event organised by the Jain International Trade Community (JITO) in Hyderabad on October 3, 2025, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh invoked India’s decisive military operations and economic transformation as reflections of the nation’s growing confidence and self-reliance.

Recalling India’s Strong Response to Terror

The Raksha Mantri recalled three defining moments of India’s military resolve – the 2016 Surgical Strikes across the Line of Control, the 2019 Balakot Air Strikes deep inside Pakistan, and the recent Operation Sindoor in 2025. He described these actions as proof of India’s firm determination to safeguard its citizens and territorial integrity.

“Whenever India’s pride and dignity has been at stake, we have never compromised. After the Pahalgam terror attack, we struck at terror, not civilians or military establishments. We never ask the religion of terrorists – we act against terror itself,” he declared, drawing strong applause from the gathering.

Defence Strength Built on Aatmanirbharta

Shri Rajnath Singh emphasised that India’s growing military capability is not intended to dominate others, but to defend its values, traditions, and the humane teachings of Lord Mahavira.

He highlighted the remarkable rise in defence exports under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. From a modest Rs 600 crore in 2014, exports have surged to over Rs 24,000 crore in 2025. Expressing confidence, he projected that India would cross Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029.

“From Tejas fighter jets to Akash missiles and Arjun tanks, our armed forces are increasingly equipped with indigenous platforms,” he said, adding that the recent agreement to procure 97 Light Combat Aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, with more than 64% indigenous content, marked a historic step towards self-reliance.

“India today manufactures everything from toys to tanks. The day is not far when India will become the Factory of the World,” he remarked, stressing that the government’s policies are transparent and solely focused on national interest.

Economic Growth and Global Standing

The Defence Minister placed India’s growth within the broader context of global economics. India is currently the world’s fourth-largest economy, with a projected GDP of $7.3 trillion by 2030. By growth trajectory, India is set to become the third-largest economy soon, and according to IMF estimates, the second-largest by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) by 2038.

This economic transformation, he argued, would reinforce India’s stature as both a military and economic power, while remaining deeply rooted in civilisational values.

Honouring the Jain Legacy

Addressing the gathering of JITO members, Shri Rajnath Singh paid glowing tributes to Jain luminaries such as Dr Vikram Sarabhai, Dr D.S. Kothari, Dr Jagdish Chandra Jain, and Dr Meenakshi Jain. He praised their intellectual, scientific, and cultural contributions that have strengthened modern India.

He also lauded government initiatives to preserve Jain heritage, including the successful repatriation of more than 20 stolen idols of Tirthankaras from abroad, and the recognition of Prakrit – the language of Jain scriptures – as a Classical Language of India.

Calling on citizens to draw inspiration from the teachings of Lord Mahavira, he underlined the principles of non-violence, truth, and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) as timeless guides for India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

A Vision of Strength with Compassion

In conclusion, the Raksha Mantri articulated a vision of a strong, self-reliant, and compassionate India – one that will secure its borders, expand its economic base, and lead the world with moral strength rooted in its civilisational values.