Atmanirbhar Bharat: Reforms for Empowering India’s Defence Ecosystem

Since its inception, the term “Atmanirbhar Bharat” that literally translates to Self-Reliant India  has increasingly become the symbol of India’s growing economic self-sufficiency, manufacturing prowess and holistic national development and India’s defence manufacturing sector has been pioneering the actualisation of the vision like no other. With indigenous defence production skyrocketing to record high of  ₹ 23,622 crore in 2024-25, that marks a growth of 12.04% over 2023-24, India’s defence ecosystem stands as testament to the remarkable shift that the industry has undergone from heavy dependence in the post-independence era to a growing indigenous industrial base, in recent years.

Assessing the Prospects of India-Saudi Arabia Defence Cooperation

India and Saudi Arabia conducted their maiden military exercise ‘Sada Tanseeq’ from 29 January 2024 to 9 February 2024. The 12-day exercise has proven to be an indicator of a growing defence relationship between both nations. Saudi crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman paid a state visit to India during the 2023 G-20 summit hosted by India. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia in 2019, the two countries signed a landmark memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation which entailed joint military exercises between the two countries.

Interim Budget and the Road to the Big Game Ahead

For the current government it’s not an ordinary budget but it’s a report card or a moment to show its credibility for the next season. This budget is said to be the 6th in row for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Read to know the budget’s nutshell