India is strengthening its position in the global defence sector with an ambitious target of achieving ₹3 lakh crore in domestic defence production and ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced these targets on November 3, 2026, during a Consultative Committee meeting of the Ministry of Defence in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The announcement highlights India's growing focus on indigenous manufacturing, military modernisation and technologica

A fresh political debate has emerged following the INDIA bloc's rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1, 2026, after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the Congress over an allegedly AI-generated photograph shared on social media. The image, which appeared to show a massive gathering at the venue, attracted attention after Congress leaders circulated it to highlight the rally's turnout. Reacting to the photograph, Rijiju questioned its authenti

India has reiterated its commitment to strengthening defence cooperation across the Indo-Pacific, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasising ASEAN’s central role in India’s Act East Policy. Speaking at the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, the Philippines, Singh highlighted the importance of mutual trust, regional stability and closer cooperation to address emerging security challenges. His remarks underline India’s continued efforts to deepen st

India and the United States have reiterated their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation following a meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Cebu, the Philippines, on October 28, 2026. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), providing an opportunity for both countries to review their strategic partnership and discuss emerging security challenges. Th

India has invited Pakistan’s Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, to attend the inaugural Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Civilisational Dialogue Forum, scheduled to be held in New Delhi from November 20 to 22, 2026. The invitation marks a notable development in regional engagement following the military tensions between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The forum aims to promote cultural exchange, highlight shared h

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has strongly criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his controversial remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late father, describing it as an insult to the dignity of Indian politics. Singh expressed concern over the language used by a senior opposition leader, emphasising that political disagreements should remain within the boundaries of public decorum. In his response on October 26, Singh maintained that democracy gives ev

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged Indian defence manufacturers to view expenditure on research and development (R&D) as a long-term strategic investment rather than a financial burden. Addressing the 8th Annual Session of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and presenting the SIDM Champion Awards 2026 in New Delhi, he emphasised the importance of technological innovation, indigenous manufacturing and greater private-sector participation in strengthening

India is looking to take its shipbuilding ambitions to the next level, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh calling for Indian shipyards to become globally competitive in terms of quality, cost, technology and delivery. Speaking at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam on October 6, Singh said India must move beyond simply meeting its own requirements and develop the capability to serve international markets as well. The Defence Minister emphasised that self-relian

India is emerging as a major force in a rapidly changing international environment, with its approach shaped by strategic autonomy, technological advancement and a broader civilisational outlook. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at the NDTV Defence Summit, said India should neither be described as a status quoist power nor as a revisionist one. Instead, he described India as a civilisational power seeking to achieve progress without disruption and positive change with

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said India will not tolerate nuclear blackmail or allow terrorism to undermine its national security. Addressing the News18 DEFCON 2026 event in New Delhi, Singh highlighted Operation Sindoor as an important demonstration of India’s military preparedness and stressed that the country’s security strategy must combine diplomatic engagement with strong defence capabilities. Singh emphasised that India remains committed to peace and diplomacy bu

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasised that peace cannot be sustained simply through the fear of war and that nations must maintain credible defence capabilities to protect their sovereignty and security. Speaking at DefCon 2026 in New Delhi, Singh said India does not favour war but must remain prepared to respond to threats when necessary. “A peace which comes from fear of war is condemnable; a war that is fought for peace is essential,” Singh said, underlining the im

India and Germany are moving closer to finalising a major defence partnership that could see six advanced conventional submarines being built in India under Project 75(I). The proposed agreement, estimated at around $8 billion, has already been cleared on the German side, with Germany now awaiting the completion of India's internal approval process. German Ambassador to India Jasper Wieck said on September 23 that the documents had been finalised and agreed upon by Germany, d

India and Sri Lanka have taken another important step towards strengthening their defence partnership with the signing of three defence-related Memoranda of Understanding during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Colombo. The agreements focus on military training, institutional cooperation and the modernisation of defence capabilities, reflecting the increasingly strategic nature of India-Sri Lanka security ties. Rajnath Singh’s visit, which comes 38 years after the la

India has taken another significant step towards strengthening its military capabilities, with the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, giving in-principle approval to capital acquisition proposals worth around ₹1.10 lakh crore for the Indian Armed Forces. The approvals cover a broad range of equipment for the Army, Navy and Air Force, including advanced helicopters, surveillance radars, electronic warfare systems, mobility platforms a

India and Belgium have elevated their defence relationship with the signing of multiple agreements aimed at expanding military cooperation, defence manufacturing and advanced technology partnerships. The development comes during Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s official visit to India, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held extensive bilateral talks with Belgium’s Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade, Theo Francken. The discussions reflected the growing strategic im

The United States embassy in New Delhi said on Friday that the Indian Army has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the Javelin anti-tank guided missile through the Foreign Military Sales process. Ambassador Sergio Gor called the step a sign that the defence partnership is growing deeper and more consequential, and that it opens the door to work between the two countries’ industries. India, the embassy said, now becomes a customer of a medium-range, fire-and-forget mis

India's drive towards defence self-reliance received a significant boost after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the transfer of technologies developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for all conventional missile systems to Indian defence companies. The decision will allow qualified domestic manufacturers to produce advanced missile systems within the country, strengthening India's indigenous defence ecosystem and enhancing its strategic capa

India and Japan have reinforced their Special Strategic and Global Partnership with a new roadmap aimed at deepening defence cooperation, strengthening maritime security, and promoting peace across the Indo-Pacific. During Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi's first official visit to India, he held extensive bilateral talks with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, marking another significant milestone in the growing strategic relationship between the two democracies. The d

A fresh political controversy has erupted after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s style of engaging with world leaders, particularly his practice of greeting foreign leaders with warm embraces. Speaking at the Rachnatmak Congress national convention in New Delhi on August 13, Gandhi questioned the idea of associating foreign policy with such personal gestures and used a mock hug with Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit to make his point.

On the occasion of the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1999 Kargil War and reaffirmed India's commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Addressing military personnel, veterans, and the families of martyrs at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, Ladakh, Singh reflected on the bravery of the Indian Armed Forces while outlining the country's present-day security pri