The Defence Ministers’ Conclave hosted by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on February 14, 2023, was a significant event in the global defence sector. With the participation of Defence and Deputy Defence Ministers from 27 countries, the conclave focused on the theme of ‘Shared Prosperity through Enhanced Engagements in Defence’ (SPEED).
In his inaugural address, the Raksha Mantri emphasized the need for greater cooperation in an increasingly complex global security scenario. He highlighted that the present era is characterised by a shift in geopolitical and security realities at an unprecedented speed, and called for real-time collaboration to respond to these changes.
Shri Rajnath Singh also pointed out that any major change in the domain of economy, security, health or climate has global reverberations. He stressed that in an interconnected and networked world, the rapid transmission of shocks and disturbances makes it impossible to insulate one’s own country from the issues of other countries.
To ensure a common, secure and prosperous future, the Raksha Mantri called for regular interactions during summits, conferences and conclaves. He affirmed India’s stand for a rules-based international order, in which fairness, cooperation, respect and equality are the guiding principles among all sovereign nations.
In addition, the conclave sought to address aspects related to deepening cooperation for capacity building, training, space, AI and maritime security to grow together. Through investments, R&D, joint ventures, co-development, co-production and provisioning of defence equipment, the conclave aimed to promote cooperation in the defence sector and enhance engagements for shared prosperity.
The Raksha Mantri highlighted the importance of collective security as an essential condition for development and prosperity. He emphasized that threats such as terrorism, illegal arms trade, drug smuggling, and human trafficking pose significant security risks to the world, and new strategies need to be devised to counter them.
However, he stressed that India does not believe in imposing external solutions to a country’s internal problems and instead supports the capacity building of partner countries so that they can chart their own destiny. The focus should be on providing assistance in terms of building institutions and capacities to allow for bottom-up solutions to emerging organically.
India is moving ahead by offering enhanced defence partnerships that accommodate national priorities and capacities, creating symbiotic relationships where all parties can learn, grow, and win together.
