Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday, 11 April, said that India is surrounded by various hostile actors and ensuring optimum utilisation of available resources is the need of the hour.
Speaking at an event in Lucknow, Singh emphasised that national security cannot be viewed solely as the responsibility of the armed forces, but as a collective duty requiring participation from all sections of society.
He asserted that while soldiers remain the first line of defence, the strength of national security is equally determined through unity, discipline and awareness among the people.
Underlining that no individual can afford to remain passive in the face of evolving challenges and prevailing global uncertainties, Raksha Mantri called upon the people to act responsibly and with a deep sense of commitment.
“Safeguarding national interests requires coordinated efforts across all sections of society. The citizens must contribute meaningfully to national security by abiding by the law, rejecting misinformation, and placing the nation’s interests above personal gains,” Singh said.
“As a nation, we find ourselves surrounded by various hostile actors. We need to ensure optimum utilisation of every resource at our disposal,” he added.
Singh also highlighted the role of information in the modern security landscape, warning that misinformation and rumours have the potential to destabilise society.
He emphasised that the role of the media, therefore, becomes critical in ensuring that accurate and responsible information reaches the public.
“The media is not merely a medium to disseminate news, it is a powerful institution that shapes public opinion. It must recognise that if sensitive issues pertaining to national security are misrepresented, driven by a pursuit of sensationalism, the repercussions could be severe,” he said.
Reiterating the government’s focus on strengthening defence capabilities alongside welfare measures, the Defence Minister said that strong emphasis is being laid to achieve Aatmanirnbharta in defence to ensure that the defence forces are equipped with state-of-the-art weapons/platforms manufactured on the Indian soil.
He said defence production reached a record ₹1.51 lakh crore in FY 2024-25, while defence exports rose to ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26, marking an increase of 62.66 per cent over the previous year.
The government has set a target of ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029-30.
Singh underlined that Viksit Bharat is not merely about physical infrastructure, it is also about fostering a society rooted in mutual responsibility, where no one is left behind.
He stressed on the need to emulate, at the national level, the quality of teamwork that the soldiers reflect through ‘unit cohesion’ even in the most adverse battlefield conditions.
This spirit must guide the nation’s journey forward to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat, he said.
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