Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 15: Defence minister Rajnath Singh made a strong pitch on Tuesday for supporting innovation and technological advancement across all sectors—including defence, cyber security, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)—to strengthen India's defense prospects and secure a strategic edge over global peers.
Terming technology as one of the most powerful tools of the 21st century, the Defence Minister said it holds the power to shape the nation's future and drive self-reliance. He made these remarks while addressing the DRDO-Industry Synergy Meet VIMARSH 2026 in the national capital, held under the theme 'Varta Se Vikas'.
Highlighting the emergence of a new wave of defense startups in India, Rajnath Singh noted how these enterprises are steering the modern defense landscape in domains like drone technology, AI, and cyber security.
“Today's innovation is tomorrow's military capability. Whoever leads technology today will gain a strategic advantage in future warfare,” he stated, urging the nation's youth to cultivate self-confidence and self-reliance.
“India's Startups and MSMEs have emerged as new flag-bearers of innovation. From deep tech to futuristic technologies, these enterprises are scripting a new story of self-reliance in the defence sector. From research to manufacturing, the role of MSMEs and Startups is extremely crucial in building Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” the Minister added.
Rajnath Singh also called for closer collaboration among research institutions like the DRDO, private industry players, and the Armed Forces to accelerate technology development and achieve defense self-sufficiency.
Emphasizing the sector's pivotal role in achieving the vision of a 'Developed India 2047', he shared in a post on the social media platform X: “When DRDO's technology, the industrial world's manufacturing capability, the innovation of startups, and the aspirations of the youth unite in one direction, India's military capability will reach new heights. This is the 'Collective Strength' of the 'New India'!”