Defence Minister chairs Ambassador's Round Table for DefExpo 2022

    26-Oct-2021
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NEW DELHI, Oct 25 (PIB)
In a major outreach to the friendly foreign countries and also to the defence manufacturing industries of the world, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the Ambassadors’ Round Table for DefExpo 2022, in New Delhi today.
The Round Table was aimed to brief the ambassadors of foreign missions about the planning, arrangements and other details of DefExpo 2022, which will be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat between March 10-13, 2022.
More than 200 delegates, including Ambassadors, Heads of Missions and Defence Attaches attended the Round Table, reflecting the growing global interest in the Indian Defence space.
Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Secretary (Defence Production) Raj Kumar and other senior officials of Ministry of Defence & Government of Gujarat were also present in today's round table.
Inviting the foreign delegates to attend DefExpo 2022, Asia’s largest defence exhibition,  Rajnath Singh said that India is open to conduct business on a mutually beneficially collaborative basis, in the spirit of give and take, for all-round welfare of everyone.
He exuded confidence that DefExpo 2022 will bring all the latest technologies under one roof and provide a myriad of opportunities to the stakeholders in the aerospace & defence industry.
The Minister also thanked the foreign delegates for participating in DefExpo 2020 & Aero India 2021 and said DefExpo 2022 aims to further the benchmark of its previous editions with greater presence of foreign and Indian exhibitors, OEMs and foreign countries. “We are committed to supporting the partnerships that have been forged thus far as also form newer bonds for mutual growth,” he said.
Rajnath Singh added that DefExpo 2022 will provide an overview of what India has been able to achieve in terms of defence R&D and production, application of modern technologies, liberalised collaborative policies introduced by the Government in last seven years.
He also stated that the Indian aerospace and defence manufacturing sector is ready to soar to newer heights and it has the potential for R&D in space, cyberspace, futuristic capabilities and disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Block-chain, Virtual Reality, 3D Printing, Digital Frontier and Internet of Military Things.        
Reaffirming the Government’s resolve to modernise the Armed Forces and make a strong & self-reliant defence industry, he said, various measures have been taken by the Government, including increasing defence capital outlay in the annual budget of 2021-22 by 18.75 % from the preceding year, which is the highest ever increment in the last 15 years.
Other policy reforms include simplifying industrial licensing process; allowing 74% Foreign Direct Investment through automatic route and 100% with Government approvals for Critical technologies; introduction of Open General Export License policy; positive indigenisation lists of 209 items; launch of seven new Defence companies and opening up of testing & trial facilities for the private sector etc.
The reforms in defence manufacturing are attracting greater interest from Indian and foreign defence manufacturers, innovators, MSMEs, he added.
The Defence Minister appreciated the efforts of the Indian defence industry and thanked the foreign aerospace and defence companies for investing in the Indian defence growth story.
He also reiterated the Government’s commitment to the collective security system laid down in Chapter VII of the UN Charter which deals with action with respect to threats to the peace, breaches of the peace and acts of aggression. “As a responsible nation, we wish to ensure a stable international security system through these collaborations and efforts,” he said.
On the occasion, the Minister also launched DefExpo 2022 website (www.defexpo.gov.in). The website provides online services to exhibitors, besides hosting informative content about the various indigenous defence products and tourism, arts and crafts of Gujarat. The website is an enabler for exhibitors to register and book space online on a first-come-first-serve basis, make online payments, book conference halls and venues for Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings. The website is the first interface and will make the process of booking and information access effortless.
Trade visitors will be able to buy their tickets from the website for visiting the show during business days i.e. 10th & 11th March 2022. Free Entry is planned for the general public on 12th & 13th March. Defence publications and Media will have to register online through the website.
At DefExpo-2022, which coincides with ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations, the country will not only get an opportunity to showcase their equipment and platforms, but also will be able to explore the strengths and capabilities of the expanse of Indian Defence industry for forging business partnerships.