Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Highlights India’s Global Rise During US Visit
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing the Indian community in the United States, emphasized India’s transformation in the last 10 years and said there has been a rapid change in the country’s perception globally. Rajnath Singh is on an official visit to the US from August 23-26 at the invitation of the US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. He arrived in Washington on Thursday.
“The people of Indian community who live outside India are concerned about the global perception of their country… I can confidently say that India’s stature has risen in the international community. Earlier, India’s opinions were not taken with as seriousness as they should have been. But, today when India speaks anything on the global forum, the world listens carefully,” Singh said addressing the Indian diaspora at an event in Washington.
He also recalled US Ambassador Eric Garcetti’s remarks, “If you want to see the future, come to India, if you feel the future, come to India, if you want to work on the future, come to India.”
The Defence Minister further elaborated on India’s economic progress and said India will be among the world’s top three economies by 2027. “Earlier, the perception of India was that of a poor country with lazy people. Now, that perception has completely changed. Even our neighbouring nations used to think they could attack India anytime they want, but India is no longer a weak nation,” Singh said.
“I am Defence Minister, earlier, we used to import all the defence equipment…when our government came, the defence exports was Rs 600 crore, now after 10 years, it has reached Rs 23,000 crores,” he added.
He also cited the recent statement by Dennis Francis, the President of the 78th session of UN General Assembly, wherein, he said that the digital revolution in India helped in bringing out 80 crore people out of poverty.
During the visit, the Defence Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with his US counterpart Secretary Austin. He will also meet the US Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Jake Sullivan. The visit comes in the backdrop of the growing momentum in India-US relations and defence engagements at multiple levels. The visit is expected to further deepen and broaden the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, the Ministry of Defence stated.
Doubts Revealed
Defence Minister -: The Defence Minister is a person in the government who is responsible for the country’s military and defence matters. In India, this person is Rajnath Singh.
Rajnath Singh -: Rajnath Singh is an important leader in India who works in the government. He is the Defence Minister, which means he looks after the country’s military and defence.
US Visit -: A US visit means that Rajnath Singh traveled to the United States of America to meet people and discuss important matters.
Washington -: Washington is a city in the United States where many important government buildings are located, including the White House.
Global Stature -: Global stature means how important and respected a country is in the world. Rajnath Singh talked about how India is becoming more important globally.
Economic Progress -: Economic progress means that a country is getting richer and its people are living better lives. Rajnath Singh said that India is making a lot of economic progress.
Top three economies -: Top three economies means the three richest countries in the world. Rajnath Singh believes that India will be one of these countries by 2027.
Defence Exports -: Defence exports are military products that a country sells to other countries. Rajnath Singh mentioned that India is selling more of these products now.
Digital Revolution -: Digital revolution means big changes in how we use technology, like computers and the internet. This has helped India reduce poverty, which means fewer people are very poor.
