Viksit Bharat : India has witnessed a remarkable transformation over the past 12 years, evolving from a nation battling shortages to one steadily progressing towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said while addressing an event organised by a media organisation in the national capital.
Highlighting the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government across manufacturing, defence, digital infrastructure, economic reforms and national security, the Raksha Mantri said the country's journey has been defined by self-reliance, innovation and growing global influence. He asserted that India is now laying a strong foundation for becoming a developed nation through the government's guiding principle of "Reform, Perform, Transform".
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India Moving Steadily Towards Viksit Bharat
According to Rajnath Singh, the government's first term focused on addressing shortages, improving governance and expanding opportunities for citizens. During the second term, the emphasis shifted towards transforming aspirations into achievements while accelerating the country's journey towards Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance).
He stated that the third term of the government is now dedicated to creating the institutional and economic foundation required to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat. Expressing confidence in India's future, he said the world would witness the rise of a fully developed India during the government's fourth term.
The Defence Minister emphasised that India's development model combines economic growth, technological advancement, national security and cultural preservation, making it unique among emerging global powers.
Make in India Becomes a Global Success Story
Rajnath Singh said the Make in India initiative, launched in 2014, has exceeded expectations despite initial criticism from several quarters. He noted that the programme has become one of the country's biggest success stories by strengthening domestic manufacturing and reducing dependence on imports.
He highlighted the growing international recognition of Indian manufacturing capabilities, saying the country's voice now commands greater respect on global platforms. Unlike in earlier years when India's opinions often received limited attention, the international community now listens carefully to India's perspective on major geopolitical and economic issues.
The Defence Minister also pointed to the success of the India Semiconductor Mission, launched in 2021. Despite widespread scepticism during its early stages, India successfully produced indigenous semiconductor chips after establishing semiconductor parks based on a plug-and-play infrastructure model.
Record Defence Production and Exports
The Raksha Mantri described India's rapidly expanding defence manufacturing sector as one of the strongest indicators of the country's growing industrial capabilities.
He said India's annual defence production reached an all-time high of ₹1.78 lakh crore during the financial year 2025-26, representing a three-fold increase compared to the production recorded in 2014-15.
Even more significantly, India's defence exports crossed ₹38,000 crore, compared to just ₹686 crore in 2013-14. The nearly 57-fold increase reflects rising international confidence in Made-in-India defence platforms, military technologies and indigenous equipment.
According to Rajnath Singh, the export growth demonstrates that Indian defence products are increasingly being recognised for their quality, reliability and technological capabilities in international markets.
Digital India Powers Economic Transformation
Highlighting India's digital revolution, Rajnath Singh said technology-driven governance has fundamentally changed public service delivery and financial inclusion across the country.
He noted that the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) recorded more than 22.35 billion transactions during April alone, with a total transaction value exceeding ₹29 lakh crore. The rapidly expanding international acceptance of UPI further showcases India's leadership in digital payment infrastructure.
The Defence Minister also highlighted the nationwide rollout of indigenous 5G technology under the Make in India initiative while revealing that work has already begun on developing next-generation 6G technologies.
Besides digital infrastructure, India has also expanded domestic manufacturing in sectors including mobile phones, automobiles and railway locomotives, further strengthening its industrial ecosystem.
JAM Trinity and Welfare Delivery Reforms
Rajnath Singh said one of the government's most significant governance reforms has been the implementation of the JAM Trinity, integrating Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar identification and mobile connectivity.
Through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), the government has transferred more than ₹51 lakh crore directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts while preventing leakages estimated at approximately ₹4.3 lakh crore.
He said these reforms have improved transparency, reduced corruption and ensured welfare benefits reach intended recipients without intermediaries.
The Defence Minister also referred to the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), saying that despite initial concerns, it has evolved into an effective model of cooperative federalism through close coordination between the Centre and the States.
National Security and Internal Stability
Speaking on national security, Rajnath Singh highlighted the government's decisions on Article 370 and anti-Naxal operations as examples of its willingness to resolve long-standing national challenges.
He said the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and sustained action against Left Wing Extremism reflect the government's commitment to strengthening national integration and internal security.
The Defence Minister reiterated that peace, stability and security remain essential pillars for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat.
India Emerges as a Global Start-up Hub
Rajnath Singh also highlighted India's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, stating that the government considers entrepreneurs as wealth creators and employment generators.
He said reforms under the Jan Vishwas initiative have improved ease of doing business, helping India emerge as the world's third-largest economy and the third-largest start-up ecosystem.
According to the Defence Minister, the number of recognised start-ups has grown dramatically from around 500 twelve years ago to more than 2 lakh, while the number of unicorns has increased from four to 125.
He described the rapid expansion of India's innovation ecosystem as a major driver of economic growth and employment generation.
Preserving India's Cultural Heritage
Beyond economic development, Rajnath Singh stressed that India's civilisation, heritage and cultural identity remain central to nation-building.
He highlighted major initiatives such as the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, Mahakal Lok, Maa Kamakhya Divya Lok Pariyojana, installation of the Sengol in Parliament, restoration of the prominence of Vande Mataram, repatriation of ancient artefacts and digitisation of historical manuscripts.
He said these efforts are aimed at preserving India's civilisational heritage while inspiring future generations.
Media Must Uphold Accuracy in Matters of Defence and National Security
Addressing media professionals, Rajnath Singh underlined the growing importance of responsible journalism in an era characterised by abundant information and rapidly evolving technologies.
He observed that while Artificial Intelligence is transforming journalism by making news production faster and more efficient, human empathy, editorial judgement and credibility remain irreplaceable.
The Defence Minister said the future of journalism lies in balancing technological innovation with ethical reporting standards.
He cautioned that misinformation can seriously affect society and damage the morale of India's defence forces. Therefore, reporting involving national security, military operations and soldiers must always prioritise factual accuracy over speed.
"Defence and security are matters of national responsibility," he said, urging media organisations to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, objectivity and impartiality while reporting on issues related to the armed forces and national interests.
Vision for a Developed India
Concluding his address, Rajnath Singh reiterated that India's progress over the past decade reflects a comprehensive transformation spanning governance, defence, manufacturing, technology, infrastructure, entrepreneurship and cultural revival. He expressed confidence that the country's continued focus on reforms, self-reliance and innovation will accelerate its journey towards becoming a fully developed Viksit Bharat in the coming years.
Source: PIB(GoI)
