Dattopant Thengadi, one of the foremost visionaries of modern India, conceived Swadeshi not merely as an economic strategy but as the living spirit of patriotism itself. It is a call to build national self-reliance, safeguard India’s sovereignty, and engage with the world from a position of strength and equality. Swadeshi is a civilisational compass guiding us toward economic freedom, political autonomy, and cultural pride. In many ways, the recent success of Operation Sindoor embodies this vision in action. This operation is more than just a chapter in India’s security narrative – it is a testament to the strength of indigenous capabilities, strategic precision, and above all, the confidence of a new Bharat committed to Swadeshi as a force of national power.
From Arms Importer to Indigenous Exporter: A Strategic Shift
For decades, India was the world’s largest arms importer. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, between 2017 and 2021, India accounted for 11 per cent of global arms imports, tying with Saudi Arabia. While this ensured preparedness, it also exposed vulnerabilities – both in supply chains and in our diplomatic maneuvering. Relying on foreign powers compromised not only our security but also our ability to make independent strategic decisions.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this began to change with the clarion call for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat – a self-reliant India. The defence sector shifted focus from buying to making. Instead of being passive consumers, India began manufacturing sophisticated defence equipment at home, reducing dependence and building indigenous capacity.
The transformation is staggering. Defence exports have skyrocketed from Rs 686 crore in 2013–14 to a projected R 23,622 crore in 2024–25 – a remarkable 34-fold increase. This surge is not accidental; it reflects a change in mindset, a leap in industrial capabilities, and growing global confidence in Indian defence products. Today, India exports Pinaka rocket launchers, Chetak helicopters, Do-228 aircraft, bulletproof jackets, and fast interceptor boats. These are battle-tested systems trusted by over 100 countries, including major global powers like the United States, France, and Armenia. India is no longer a passive buyer – it is a respected player and contributor in global defence.
Building the Swadeshi Ecosystem: Policy, Innovation, and Infrastructure
This shift towards self-reliance is rooted in consistent policy reforms and innovation-friendly ecosystems. The Ministry of Defence prioritised domestic procurement through the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), streamlining processes to encourage local manufacturing. Initiatives like iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) have brought startups and MSMEs into the defence fold, fostering an environment where innovation meets demand.
Dedicated Defence Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have become hubs of manufacturing excellence, promoting investment and skill development. In the last year alone, the Department of Defence Production issued 1,762 export authorisations – up from 1,507 the year prior. The number of defence exporters grew by 17.4 per cent, a clear sign that Swadeshi is not limited to large companies but is a participative, expansive movement involving micro, small, and medium enterprises across the country.
Both the private sector and Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) have contributed significantly to this growth. In 2024–25, private industry accounted for Rs 15,233 crore in defence exports, while DPSUs contributed Rs 8,389 crore – a sharp 42.85 per cent rise over the previous year. This balance between private innovation and public sector reliability is critical for sustained growth and strategic security.
Indigenous Technology: The Core of Strategic Advantage
At the heart of this transformation are cutting-edge technologies that have made India a formidable force. From the Akash surface-to-air missile system and the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas to AI-powered surveillance solutions, India’s defence industry is crafting a new strategic advantage. A remarkable example is the recent deployment of indigenous loitering munitions – also known as suicide drones – developed by startups in Bengaluru. These systems, once deemed too advanced for domestic production, were successfully operationalised during Operation Sindoor, showcasing India’s technological prowess.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh often refers to this approach as “peace through credible deterrence.” The goal is not to provoke conflict but to ensure stability backed by strength – and that strength must originate within. The inspiring stories behind this strength are not always in the headlines; they unfold daily in workshops, research labs, and small manufacturing units from Bengaluru to Gujarat. Startups innovating AI-guided drones, components suppliers producing naval parts – these are no longer exceptions but the norm. Swadeshi is rising organically from the grassroots.
Strategic Partnerships on Indian Terms
While promoting indigenous capabilities, India has also forged strategic partnerships based on mutual respect and equal terms. Collaborations include co-developing the BrahMos missile with Russia, manufacturing General Electric engines with the United States, and engaging with France’s Safran and the UK’s Rolls Royce for projects like the Kaveri engine. These alliances demonstrate India’s growing confidence to negotiate, co-create, and assert its interests on the global stage.
In an increasingly polarized world marked by US-China rivalry and US-Russia tensions, India has maintained its strategic autonomy. Despite pressures such as those stemming from CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act), India has prioritized its national interest, underscoring the fact that true independence requires self-reliance in critical sectors, especially defence.
Operation Sindoor: Lighting the Path for Swadeshi Beyond Defence
Operation Sindoor is more than a military success – it is a beacon illuminating the power of Swadeshi to secure India’s future. It demonstrates that indigenous capabilities can protect national interests, strengthen sovereignty, and project confidence. Defence is only the beginning. The success of Swadeshi in this sector must set the benchmark for others – semiconductors, electronics, pharmaceuticals, energy storage, and beyond.
In today’s global landscape, India can no longer afford to depend on external sources for critical needs. Strategic autonomy is inseparable from economic self-reliance. The spirit of Swadeshi must permeate policy-making and public consciousness alike, encouraging innovation, nurturing local capacity, and cultivating pride in what is made in Bharat.
Operation Sindoor has lit the path. Now, it is up to every sector, every citizen, and every stakeholder to walk it. Swadeshi is not a mere slogan or political buzzword – it is the roadmap to a resilient, self-assured, and sovereign India.
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