New Delhi: India’s defence minister Rajnath Singh on Friday inaugurated Sagar Sankalp, a defence and maritime conclave. This event was jointly organised by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Limited and a private media organisation in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Speaking at the Maritime Conclave “Sagar Sankalp”, Rajnath Singh said that “India’s defence exports are set to reach about Rs 29,000 crore by April 2026. The government has a bigger goal to export defence equipment worth Rs 50,000 crore by 2030.”
The current global situation has led to the realignment of supply chains, the formation of new partnerships, and a steady rise in maritime activities. In response to these developments, the Government of India is aiming to achieve self-reliance across various sectors.“Self-reliance is the only way to stay relevant and ready in the present era of uncertainty,” Singh said.
The government’s efforts in strengthening the defence sector are showing positive results. In the financial year 2024–25, domestic defence production crossed a record figure of ₹1.50 lakh crore. Defence exports also reached an all-time high of around ₹24,000 crore.
According to the defence ministry, India’s maritime domain is expected to remain safe, prosperous, and strong through coordinated planning, the adoption of modern technologies, and greater institutional synergy among key agencies.
“The Indian Navy’s readiness, the success of operations like Operation Sindoor, and the steps towards self-reliance indicate that India’s defence sector is moving in the right direction. If we work together to advance this maritime vision, in the years to come, India will not only safeguard its interests but also make a significant contribution to global maritime stability. Our target is to steer India into the top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030, and reaching the top five by 2047,” he said.
Rajnath Singh also highlighted the rapid changes taking place in the global order and the growing uncertainties in international affairs.
“Old ideas, old global order, and old perceptions are changing rapidly. These are the uncertainties we need to understand. The current situation in the Middle East is one prime example. What is happening there is quite unusual. It is difficult to make concrete comments about the future course of events in the Middle East or in our neighborhood. The Strait of Hormuz or the entire Persian Gulf region is crucial for global energy security. When there is disturbance in the region, it directly impacts the supply of oil and gas. Moreover, we’re witnessing supply chain disruptions in other sectors as well. These uncertainties have a direct impact on the economy and global trade. The global scenario is an abnormal situation. What is more worrying is the fact that this abnormality is becoming the new normal,” He added.
This Maritime Conclave “Sagar Sankalp” in Kolkata brought together policymakers, defence experts, maritime strategists, and industry representatives to discuss India’s evolving maritime strategy, shipbuilding capabilities and the role of defence manufacturing in strengthening national security and global maritime cooperation. Participants also deliberated on ways to enhance collaboration between government, industry and research institutions to support India’s long-term maritime and defence objectives.
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