India capable of meeting all challenges: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: Be it the Covid-19 virus or situation on the border, India is ready to take on all challenges, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, adding that the nation will soon be known as a major producer of modern weapons systems, rather than as a prime market for foreign defence vendors.

“In the last year, India has shown that be it the virus or the border, we are ready to overcome all challenges…be it developing the protective shield of a vaccine or taking down those who challenge India with our modern missiles, the nation is capable on all fronts,” the PM said, addressing the annual National Cadet Corps rally in the capital.

The PM made special mention of the government’s focus on reducing arms imports and encouraging a domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem that is aimed at becoming a major exporter of weapons. “The day is not far when India will not be known as a big market for defence equipment but as a large producer (of weapons),” the PM said, adding that there is special focus on research in futuristic technologies like artificial intelligence in warfare.


India has been encouraging local arms manufacturers to export to the world, reaping the twin benefits of foreign currency inflow and a stronger standing in the world order, with the ability to help friendly nations secure their interests. The target is to achieve $5 billion worth of arms exports by 2025.