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India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently met with representatives from major US defence companies in Washington D.C., outlining the country's ambitions to become a leading defence export hub. Singh highlighted the government's ongoing reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment and fostering co-development and co-production partnerships within the Indian defence sector. The goal is to position India as a competitive alternative to traditional arms suppliers, with the potential to produce and export military equipment globally.
The meeting, organized by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, brought together key players from the American defence industry, including General Electric, Boeing, General Atomics, General Dynamics Land Systems, L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, and Rolls Royce. These companies are actively involved in ongoing negotiations for significant defence deals with India, reflecting the growing strategic partnership between the two nations.
Singh emphasized the importance of collaboration and joint efforts in driving India's defence sector forward. He actively encouraged US companies to partner with Indian counterparts, leveraging the 'Make in India' program to achieve greater self-reliance in defence production. This strategy aims to foster a collaborative ecosystem where Indian and American companies work together to develop and manufacture military equipment for both domestic and international markets.
The meeting also touched upon India's progress in enhancing its defence manufacturing capabilities. The country's defence exports have seen a remarkable surge in recent years, fueled by policy initiatives and reforms. The target is to reach an annual defence export target of ₹50,000 crore by 2028-29, a testament to India's commitment to building a robust and competitive indigenous defence industry.
The meeting with US defence industry leaders further strengthens the strategic partnership between India and the US. It signifies a shared vision for a more robust global security environment, where both countries collaborate to advance defence technology and manufacturing, while promoting economic growth and shared prosperity.
Source: Rajnath Singh meets US defence industry captains, pushes India as export hub