The North News
New Delhi, August 31
Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, has called on the media to act with restraint and responsibility in times of war or conflict, warning that even a minor misstep in reporting could endanger soldiers’ lives or compromise military strategy. Speaking at the NDTV Defence Summit in New Delhi after the recent Operation Sindoor, he praised the armed forces for their precision strikes carried out with indigenous equipment, describing the mission as proof that long-term planning, vision and coordination were essential for success.
He used the operation to underscore India’s growing self-reliance in defence, pointing to a milestone of more than ₹1.5 trillion in domestic defence production, a quarter of which, he said, came from the private sector. He argued that defence manufacturing, like the automobile or IT sector, had now become a “growth multiplier” for the economy.
The minister insisted that India’s push for indigenous production was not protectionism but a matter of sovereignty and confidence. “Self-reliance in defence is an issue of national autonomy,” he said, adding that India was preparing to not only meet its own needs but also emerge as a trusted partner for other nations in the coming years.
He also emphasised the role of young innovators, highlighting the government’s iDEX initiative, which has encouraged start-ups and engineers to develop solutions once sourced from abroad. On 23 August, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested an integrated air defence weapon system capable of striking three targets simultaneously, he added. He described the achievement as a step towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Sudarshan Chakra vision for national security.
“This is a young nation, rich in energy and innovation,” the Defence Minister said. “When such a country marches towards self-reliance with full confidence, the world is compelled to take notice,” he added.
