Rajnath Singh on Defence Push: ‘No Permanent Friends or Enemies, Only National Interests’

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday reaffirmed India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence production, asserting that the country’s strategic decisions will continue to be guided by its “permanent interests” rather than enduring alliances.

Speaking at the NDTV Defence Summit 2025, Singh declared, “There are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests,” underscoring a pragmatic approach to foreign and security policy. His remarks come amid tariff tensions with the United States and a thaw in India-China relations.

Singh highlighted major achievements in defence indigenisation, notably the commissioning of two Nilgiri-class stealth frigates, INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri. He reiterated that the Indian Navy has resolved to build all future warships domestically. “The Navy will no longer procure warships from abroad. Every vessel will be made in India,” he said.

The minister also announced that the Sudarshan Chakra, an indigenous defence system, is nearing completion.

Key Highlights from Rajnath Singh’s Address:

• ‘No Permanent Friends or Enemies’: Singh stressed that India’s foreign policy is driven by national interest, not ideology or permanent alignments.

• Trade Tensions with the US: Referring to the recent 50% tariff on Indian imports imposed by US President Donald Trump, Singh said the global trade environment resembled a “war-like situation”.

• Self-Reliance as Necessity: “Today’s geopolitics has shown us that dependence on foreign suppliers for defence needs is no longer viable. Self-reliance is essential for our economy and security,” Singh remarked.

• Indigenous Defence Milestones: India has pledged to manufacture all future warships locally and is preparing to unveil the Sudarshan Chakra system.

• Rising Defence Exports: Singh noted that India’s defence exports have surged from under ₹700 crore in 2014 to nearly ₹24,000 crore in 2025, marking a significant shift from being an importer to an emerging global supplier.

The minister also referenced Operation Sindoor, saying the successful precision strikes following the Pahalgam terror attack demonstrated the strength of India’s indigenous capabilities.

Singh’s remarks coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China for the SCO Summit, signaling India’s balancing act amid shifting global dynamics.