On the completion of 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is running a nationwide campaign titled Sankalp Se Siddhi (From Resolve to Accomplishment). Across the country, press conferences, exhibitions, seminars, public gatherings, and village-level meetings are being organised to showcase the success of the Modi administration. Through social media, various government schemes are being highlighted, and multiple competitions are being conducted.
In areas such as welfare for the poor, infrastructure development, internal and external security, economic progress, cultural resurgence, and India’s growing global stature, the past 11 years have witnessed historic achievements. Many global institutions and prominent individuals have praised this remarkable success, particularly in the defense sector.
As Chanakya stated in his Niti Shastra: “शस्त्रेण रक्षिते राष्ट्रे शास्त्र चिंता प्रवर्तते”— Only when a nation is protected by arms can the contemplation of philosophy and scriptures take place.
No matter how noble a principle, its success depends on the strength of those who follow it. Hence, scholars have often regarded power as the foundation of peace. National poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar echoed this in his poem:
“Forgiveness befits only the serpent who has venom.”
In line with this vision, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh had passed a resolution during its 1964 Patna convention, demanding India to pursue the development of nuclear weapons. Their document titled Principles and Policies emphasized the need to build nuclear arms, stating that all our deities carry weapons to uphold Dharma, and hence, Bharat Mata (Mother India) too must be equipped with nuclear capability.
Continuing in this spirit, under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India conducted the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998, enhancing India’s global prestige. Since the formation of Narendra Modi’s government in 2014, the country has adopted policies that ensure the protection of national interests. The zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism exemplifies this shift. Unlike the previous Congress government, where terrorists were sometimes pampered, Modi’s government empowered the armed forces with full operational freedom and access to advanced equipment.
India’s defense budget, which stood at Rs 2.53 lakh crore in 2013–14, has now increased to over Rs 6.81 lakh crore for 2025–26 — more than a threefold jump. According to the 2015 CAG report, the Indian army previously had ammunition stock for just 20 days. Today, our soldiers are equipped with high-quality indigenous bulletproof jackets, advanced helmets, new battle uniforms (NBDU), night vision devices, and thermal imagers.
One of the most long-pending reforms — the appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) — was also accomplished under Modi’s leadership. The effectiveness of this reform was demonstrated during Operation Sindoor, which showcased excellent tri-services coordination. India also accelerated long-stalled weapon procurement decisions. The acquisition of Rafale jets from France is a prime example. Other procurements like S-400 systems, Sukhoi-30, Israeli drones, HAMMER missiles, Chinook helicopters, the indigenous LCH Prachand, Tejas fighter jets, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, and the anti-submarine missile Varunastra have elevated India’s military capabilities to global standards.
In these 11 years, India has not merely focused on importing weapons but also on becoming self-reliant. Notable achievements include the construction of the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, Akash air defense systems, Rustom UAVs built by DRDO in Lucknow, BrahMos supersonic missiles in collaboration with Russia, and manufacturing key parts of Rafale with Dassault-Tata in Hyderabad.
Defense production has grown by 174 per cent in the last decade — from Rs 46,529 crore in 2014–15 to Rs 1,27,265 crore in 2023–24.
In the words of Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh during Rashtra Raksha Samarpan Parv (17 November 2021, Jhansi):
“India cannot depend on others to fulfill its strategic and security needs… the government is consistently working towards Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India).”
Due to this focus on self-reliance, India has transitioned from being a major arms importer to a significant exporter. Between 2004 and 2014, India exported defense equipment worth Rs 4,312 crore. Between 2014 and 2024, this surged to Rs 88,319 crore. In just the year 2024–25, exports reached Rs 23,622 crore. While imports have reduced by 21 per cent, exports have increased by 34 per cent. Today, India exports defense equipment to more than 80 countries. Following Operation Sindoor, global interest in Indian-made weapons has also grown significantly.
The Modi government’s determination to eliminate Naxalism has restored people’s faith in the government. The number of districts affected by Naxalite terrorism has declined from 126 in 2014 to just 6 in 2025. Many top Naxal terrorists have been eliminated in encounters, and it is now hoped that future generations may not even remember what Naxalism was.
On September 2, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the new Indian Navy ensign in Kochi, replacing the colonial-era St. George’s Cross with an octagonal symbol inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s royal seal.
The new design incorporates the Ashoka emblem, an anchor, and the naval motto “शं नो वरुणः” (“May the Ocean God be auspicious unto us”), embodying India’s maritime heritage and self-respect.
The new India does not just talk of fighting terrorism inside enemy territory — it has proven it through the surgical strikes, air strikes, and Operation Sindoor. By cancelling the Indus Waters Treaty, the government has sent a clear global message: “Blood and water cannot flow together.”
From welfare schemes for ex-servicemen and the Agniveer recruitment initiative to the worship of Rafale jets on Vijayadashami and the Prime Minister celebrating Deepawali with soldiers at the borders — these actions reflect the commitment to a secure India. Operation Sindoor and subsequent diplomatic efforts, such as sending a multi-party delegation abroad, have effectively exposed Pakistan’s terror activities and unified India’s voice on the global stage.
All these initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership have instilled confidence in the people of India — that the nation is in safe hands.
