New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said talks between India and China are going smoothly and in a good environment, and India will never bow down. During his visit to Ahmedabad to campaign for BJP candidates in the Lok Sabha elections, Defence Minister, said India has become a powerful country from a military standpoint and wants to maintain good relations with its neighbours.
Rajnath Singh strongly reacted to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's accusation against the Narendra Modi government over Chinese aggression, saying, "India is no longer a weak India. India has also become a powerful country from a military point of view. We want to maintain good relations with our neighbouring countries", reported news agency PTI.
Notably, Rajnath Singh provided reassurance regarding the ongoing talks between India and China. He said, "Talks between India and China are going on smoothly and in a good environment over whatever issues there are".
He underscored India's unwavering stance during the ongoing talks with China, emphasising that while awaiting the outcome, India remains resolute and steadfast. Singh assured the nation that India has not yielded in any instance and reaffirmed its commitment to standing firm on key issues.
Rajnath Singh expressed confidence about the future growth of India's defence exports, citing a significant increase in figures. He highlighted that in the financial year 2023-24, defence exports exceeded Rs 21,000 crore, compared to Rs 600 crore in 2014, as per a PTI report.
Rajnath mentioned about the Modi government's dedication to enhancing indigenous defence production, aiming for self-reliance in manufacturing missiles, weapons, bombs, and tanks within India. He noted that India's defence production has now surpassed Rs 1 lakh crore, showcasing the country's progress in building a robust defence manufacturing ecosystem.