Opinion | Defence Outlay In First Modi 3.0 Budget Should Reflect India’s Status As 5th Largest Economy

In the interim budget for 2024-25, India’s outlay for defence stood at around $78 billion. Meanwhile, China this year announced a defence budget draft worth $231.36 billion. 

Indian Army’s Battle Axe Division carries out a specialised heliborne operations exercise with the Indian Air Force in Phalodi, Rajasthan. Representational image.

Source : X.com

When Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the first Union Budget of the new Modi government, the strategic community will be keeping a close watch on the contours of the defence component. While defence is one of the most keenly dissected sections of the Union Budget in any given year, it takes on a whole other level of importance as India battles a series of security challenges.  Not only is the Line of Actual Control (LAC) faceoff with China – which has required India