NewsGate Press Network

Rajnath Singh assumed charge as the Defence Minister of India for the second consecutive term on Thursday the 13th of June, 2024.

Top brass of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was in the welcome party at the  South Block when Rajnath arrived back in his old office.

The new face in the MoD was the Minister of State for Defence, Mr Sanjay Seth, who was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan along with the three service chiefs

Talking to reporters on the occasion, the Defence Minister outlined his vision for the next five years and stated that focus would be on carrying forward the priority areas with renewed thrust to establish a more secure, self-reliant and prosperous nation.

“our aim will be to further strengthen the security apparatus of the country, with focus on achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Armed Forces modernisation and the welfare of the soldiers, both serving and retired, will continue to be our main focus,” he said.

Rajnath Singh added that the objective will be to increase defence exports in the times to come. “Defence exports had touched a record Rs 21,083 crore in Financial Year 2023-24. It was historic. Our target will be to export over Rs 50,000 crore worth of defence equipment by 2028-2029,” he said.

Immediately after assumption of charge, Rajnath Singh chaired a review meeting on the first 100 days’ Action Plan of MoD under the new government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The meeting focused on the welfare of veterans, wherein major issues pertaining to the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare were discussed.

He instructed the officers to re-dedicate themselves to fulfill the agenda laid out in the 100 days’ Action Plan.

Emphasising the growing salience of the Indian Ocean Region in the defence calculus, Rajnath Singh decided to visit the Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam in the coming days wherein he will be interacting with the officers and sailors.