India’s Image Of Being An Importer Country Is Changing: MoS Defence
Speaking at BW Aerospace & Defence Conclave 2021 in New Delhi on Thursday, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said that India’s image of being an importer is changing and very rapidly it is now becoming an exporting country.
“Earlier India had this image of being an importer of defence equipment, today that image has changed drastically due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last seven years and due to the support of the citizens of the country. We are now being recognised as an exporter country,” he said.
The Minister said that after the Pandemic it is now imperative for the people to become atmanirbhar and under Prime Minister Modi’s vision, the defence sector is becoming self-reliant and standing on its feet. Highlighting government’s plan of action in this direction, he said the government’s approach for the defence industry is to promote indigenous companies and is committed to actively procure from them. These companies will not only compete in the domestic markets but also export to the rest of the world.
“Recently seven new Defence Public Sector Units (DPSUs) were carved out of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). They will compete with the private sector and get access to markets. The government will not be bound to procure only from these new DPSUs,” he added.
Bhatt also informed that the government has written to several Head of the States, inviting them to come to India and witness India’s defence industry’s innovations and set up manufacturing facilities in India.
Lauding Prime Minister Modi’s strategic thinking, The Minister said that soon Bhramaputra River will have road and rail infrastructure under it which will ensure North-East India’s connectivity with the rest of India. “No matter what any of our neighbours do, with this move India will always stay connected with North-East India,” he said.
He further highlighted that under Prime Minister’s able leadership, the long pending Atal Tunnel got completed and with its completion, the government is now saving Rs. 7 crore per day. “All such small steps are taking the nation towards atmanirbharta, these savings are used for the welfare of the people,” the Minister said.
Highlighting government’s efforts in building robust defence corridors, Bhatt said the development of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu Defence Corridors is indeed historic and the government plans to invest about Rs. 20,000 crore. He further informed that an investment of Rs. 3342 crore has already been made by private sector companies for the development of these two corridors.
