Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on April 07 during a press conference in Rajasthan’s Jaipur outfoxed the reporters with his witty replies. Be it the question on the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 result or Pakistan’s remark on the General Elections, Singh gave chucklesome answers to the reporters. “When results will come, see the margin. If there was no democracy, you wouldn’t be able to ask questions now. Don’t compare us with Pakistan,” said Rajnath Singh.
Tag: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
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Rajnath invites US defence companies to carry out joint R&D, manufacturing & maintenance in India
By Express News Service
NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended an invitation to the US companies on Thursday to set up a base in India for co-production, co-development, investment promotion and development of Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facilities of defence equipment in India.
Speaking to the US industry representative virtually, Rajnath Singh said, “Of late, some US companies have expanded their local presence in partnership with Indian industry to achieve our aim of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’. We believe this is just a beginning. With increasing business, we aspire for increased investments by US companies in India.”
“Making full use of the Industrial Security Agreement, we need to facilitate collaboration & indigenisation of defence technology and boost the participation of US and Indian companies in each other’s defence supply chains. American companies are welcome to establish manufacturing facilities in India,” added Rajnath Singh.
The defence minister was addressing the members of American Chamber of Commerce in India (AMCHAM India) through video conferencing during its 30th Annual General Meeting.
Rajnath listed out a number of initiatives taken by the government to facilitate partnerships between major Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs) and Indian companies. “From increase in FDI limit to improving ease of doing business and from encouraging innovation through the iDEX platform to an enhanced positive list to give fillip to manufacture in India, the government is sharply focussed on enhancing the share of defence manufacturing, export by India-based companies and joint ventures,” he said.
Rajnath Singh pointed out that US companies have not only been a source of FDI and employment in India, but are also contributing to India’s defence exports, totalling around $2.5 billion to US in the last five years, which is 35 per cent of total exports achieved during the period.
Saying trade and investment relationship with the US is an important component of this success story,” Minister underlined the importance of strengthening the commercial and economic pillar of the India-US partnership to advance economic growth and deliver mutual prosperity for both countries.
“There has been a rebound in bilateral trade between the two countries over the last year, surpassing $113 billion in goods. In the same period, we have started to realise successes in the journey towards the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbharta’ by increasing India’s participation in global supply chains and surpassing $400 billion in exported goods for the first time in history.”
Rajnath also talked about the recently held 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue and termed it as positive and fruitful, Rajnath specified the defence sector as a strong and growing pillar of the bilateral relationship.
The US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar in Washington, D.C., on April 11, 2022, for the fourth India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. The Dialogue was preceded by a virtual meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joseph Biden.
Emphasising on the need to move from a buyer-seller relationship to one of partner nations and business partners, “ India and US are uniquely poised to leverage each other’s strengths for a mutually beneficial and bright future,” he said.
“When seen from the perspective of strategic convergence, India and the US share a commitment to democracy, pluralism and rule of law. We have a growing convergence of strategic interests as both countries seek a resilient, rules-based international order that safeguards sovereignty and territorial integrity, upholds democratic values and promotes peace and prosperity for all. Both India and US share a common vision of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region. The India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is of critical importance for international peace, stability and prosperity,” Rajnath Singh added.
He further noted that during the 2+2 Ministerial meeting, India and US confirmed their intent to advance cooperation in Critical and Emerging Technologies such as advanced communication technology, artificial intelligence, quantum science, STEM, semiconductors and biotechnology. He urged the private industry to develop and undertake joint research and development projects, mobilise finance, promote technologies, and enhance technical collaboration.
AMCHAM-India is an association of American business organisations operating in India. Established in 1992, AMCHAM has over 400 US companies as members. The principal objectives include promotion of activities that would encourage and stimulate investment by US companies in India and increasing bilateral trade.
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Rajnath Singh hopes India will emerge as defence manufacturing hub for the world
By ANI
NAGPUR: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday expressed hope India will emerge as the defence manufacturing hub for the world.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony of the Multi-Mode Hand Grenades to the Indian Army, at EEL premises in Nagpur, Singh said: “The speed with which our industries are progressing, contributing to defence production, exports are increasing day by day, I am sure that soon, in the same newspaper, it will be written, ‘India as Defence Manufacturing Hub for the World’.”
“The transfer of important technologies by the government is a big thing in itself. For private sector companies, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is playing the role of an incubator and has provided free transfer of technologies, access to testing facilities and free access to more than 450 patents,” he said.
The minister added not only transfer of technologies free of cost, but the provision of upfront funding of up to Rs 10 crore under ‘Technology Development Fund’ has also been made by DRDO for the development of technology.”
“In order to innovate new technologies, solve problems related to defence and aerospace, and uplift start-ups, ‘Innovations for Defense Excellence’ or ‘iDEX’ has also been launched, ” he added.
Just like the Multi-Mode Grenade, many products like ‘Arjun-Mark-1’ tank, ‘Unmanned Surface Vehicle’, ‘See Through Armor’ have started producing completely indigenously, the Defence Minister added.
Technology is one of the primary needs of any industry in today’s time, the minister said, adding that “Today it is dominated by those nations, whose dominance is on technology. Since it gets obsolete very quickly, it takes a lot to maintain our dominance in this field.”
“I was told that industries sometimes spend up to 80-90 per cent in their R&D, the cost of the product is only 10-20 per cent. In such a situation, it is a very difficult task to develop technology for the newly emerging industry,” said Defence Minister.
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Pune stadium to be named after Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Neeraj Chopra
By ANI
PUNE: A stadium in the premises of Army Sports Institute in Pune is to be named after Tokyo Olympics Gold medalist Neeraj Chopra.
The stadium will be named ‘Neeraj Chopra Army Sports Stadium’ in Pune Cantonment.
The official naming ceremony of the stadium is scheduled for August 23 and will be carried out by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Singh will be accompanied by the Army chief General M M Narvane and Lieutenant Governer JS Nain on this tour.
On his visit, Singh will facilitate the other sixteen Olympians and will be carrying out a naming ceremony of the stadium. He will also be addressing the troops and will interact with budding sportsmen.
Neeraj’s historic golden throw in the Olympics has been listed as one of the 10 magical moments of athletics (track and field) in the Tokyo Olympics by World Athletics.
He has been felicitated by the Indian Government, the Sports Ministry, the Athletic Federation of India as well as the Indian Army post his return.