Hyderabad: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Friday declared that India under PM Modi’s leadership has emerged as a nation with both ‘vaccine power’ and ‘weapon power’ — capable of treating the world in times of crisis and responding firmly to threats.
India's Dual Strength
Speaking at an intellectual meet in Hyderabad to mark 12 years of the Modi government, Singh said India supplied vaccines globally during the Covid-19 pandemic while simultaneously strengthening its defence capabilities. He asserted that every rupee in the Union budget was being channelled into national security and stressed that the NDA government had remained free of corruption allegations.
Response to Pahalgam Attack
Referring to the terror attack in Pahalgam, Singh said the government had demonstrated its resolve through decisive action. “The opposition questioned our response to the Pahalgam attack, but we have shown the enemy what India is capable of,” he remarked.
Indus Waters Treaty
In an apparent reference to Pakistan, Singh added that India had signalled its ability to exert pressure by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. “We have shown that we can stop their water and grain,” he said.
Defence Exports Surge
Singh credited India’s growing military strength to the armed forces and defence establishment rather than political leaders. He noted that India, once negligible in defence exports, now sells equipment to nearly 100 countries, touching the ₹39,000 crore mark. “India is now a confident nation that cannot be ignored on the global stage,” he said.
Leadership and Vision
He attributed this transformation to Modi’s leadership and the BJP’s commitment. “We are not focused on winning the next election; rather, we are concerned about the future of the next generation. Our priority is not what will happen in the upcoming election but what will become of those who follow us. Our intentions are clear: There is no disparity between our words and our actions,” the Union minister said.
Four Pillars of Progress
The minister said the government’s progress rested on four pillars: Integrity, clear intentions, work ethic, and delivery. He contrasted this with past administrations plagued by corruption. Sharing an anecdote, he said India could have had semiconductor manufacturing in the 1960s but was denied permission by the then government, forcing decades of imports. “After PM Modi took office, things have changed,” he said.
Fulfilled Promises
Singh highlighted promises fulfilled by the BJP, including construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and abrogation of Article 370. He said, “We will implement ‘one nation, one election’ at any cost. We want to reduce the unnecessary costs the country incurs due to multiple elections.”
Criticism of Congress
Singh accused the Congress of lacking introspection after successive electoral defeats. “In a democracy, parties will accuse one another, but whenever they lose elections, they tend to blame constitutional bodies like the Election Commission. During Congress’s tenure, there were also allegations of ballot box irregularities; however, we accepted defeat gracefully and never questioned these constitutional bodies,” he said.
Telangana Development Push
Rajnath Singh stated that under Modi’s leadership, Telangana’s road network has doubled in 12 years. He contrasted this with the Congress era, when united Andhra Pradesh received only a ₹1,000 crore railway budget. Under the NDA, Telangana now receives ₹5,500 crore annually. “Currently, railway projects worth ₹15,000 crore are in progress in Telangana, and half a dozen Vande Bharat trains are also in operation,” he said. He added that the recently inaugurated PM Mitra Park is expected to generate significant employment for local youth.
Outreach with Icons
During his Hyderabad visit, Singh interacted with sportspersons, film personalities, and eminent figures from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The high-profile outreach in Jubilee Hills highlighted defence achievements while gathering views from diverse sectors. Among attendees were international badminton player Kidambi Srikanth and Olympic shooter Esha Singh, who appreciated the Centre’s support for sports. Tollywood actors Teja Sajja and Adivi Sesh also joined discussions with the minister.
