Modi’s 10-Year Defence Report Card: Record Exports But India Remains Top Importer

‘Make in India’ is the buzzword in defence circles, and many strides have been made with an aim to boost self-reliance in the sector. But India needs to travel a long distance to realise its goal. 

PM Modi after performing a sortie on the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, in November 2023. ( Image Source :X/@NarendraModi )

Over the decade-long tenure of the Narendra Modi government, India has faced major security challenges, resulting in a surge in emergency defence imports to face any eventuality.  However, the government has rightly focussed on various programmes to strengthen India’s strategic autonomy by taking measures to reduce the country’s dependence on imports, and increase the exports of weapon systems.  Self-reliance or ‘Make in India’ is the buzzword in defence