During his official visit to Washington, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised that India and the US form a powerful alliance capable of fostering global peace, prosperity, and stability. Singh described the two nations as “natural allies” destined to strengthen their partnership, which is continuously evolving.
Singh, who arrived in Washington on Thursday for a four-day visit, noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India’s global stature has significantly risen. He highlighted that while India’s voice was previously disregarded on the world stage, it is now given considerable attention.
Reflecting on India’s transformation, Singh mentioned that before 2014, India was considered one of the ‘Fragile Five’ economies, as labelled by Morgan Stanley. Today, India is recognized as part of the ‘Fabulous Five’ economies and is projected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027, according to a recent report from the firm. Singh praised the government’s effective handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which minimised the economic impact compared to other nations.
Singh also highlighted significant achievements, such as lifting 250 million people out of poverty and achieving a five-year low in retail inflation at 3.54%. Additionally, India’s foreign exchange reserves have reached a record high of $675 billion.
The minister detailed the government’s efforts to achieve self-reliance in defence, including the release of Positive Indigenisation Lists for over 5,000 items. He stressed the importance of producing advanced defence equipment domestically. Singh noted that defence exports have surged from $72 million before the current administration to over $2.5 billion. He also pointed out the rapid increase in start-ups from 400 in 2014 to 120,000 today, attributing these successes to government policies and planning.
Echoing Prime Minister Modi’s vision, Singh reiterated the goal of transforming India into a strong, secure, and prosperous nation. He urged the Indian community in the US to work with integrity and dedication, embracing the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family).
Singh also shared his appreciation for the Indian community’s dedication to cultural values and roots in a post on X, accompanied by photos from the event. Concurrently, senior defence officials from both countries signed two significant agreements: the Security of Supplies Arrangement (SOSA) and a Memorandum of Agreement on the Assignment of Liaison Officers.
