New Delhi, April 11

“No individual can remain passive in the prevailing global uncertainties; People must abide by the law, reject misinformation & place national interests above their own”

“India surrounded by various hostile actors; Optimum resource utilisation is the need of the hour”

“Misinformation & rumors destabilise society; Accurate & responsible information must reach public through media”

“National security, an indispensable pillar of India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat, is a collective duty of every citizen, and not the sole responsibility of the defence forces,” said defence minister Rajnath Singh at an event in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on April 11, 2026. He asserted that while soldiers remain the first line of defence, the strength of national security is equally determined through unity, discipline and awareness among the people.

Underlining that no individual can afford to remain passive in the face of evolving challenges and prevailing global uncertainties, the minister called upon the people to act responsibly and with a deep sense of commitment. “Safeguarding national interests requires coordinated efforts across all sections of society. The citizens must contribute meaningfully to national security by abiding by the law, rejecting misinformation, and placing the nation’s interests above personal gains. As a nation, we find ourselves surrounded by various hostile actors. We need to ensure optimum utilisation of every resource at our disposal,” he added.

Terming ‘information’ as a powerful tool in today’s rapidly evolving landscape, Rajnath Singh stated that misinformation and rumors have the potential to create instability within the society. He emphasised that the role of the media, therefore, becomes critical in ensuring that accurate and responsible information reaches the public. “The media is not merely a medium to disseminate news, it is a powerful institution that shapes public opinion. It must recognise that if sensitive issues pertaining to national security are misrepresented, driven by a pursuit of sensationalism, the repercussions could be severe. The media, a key partner in nation-building, bears the responsibility of ensuring that the content it presents serves national interest and does not fuel unnecessary fear or confusion,” he added.

Reiterating that the Government, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, makes no compromise on matters concerning national security, Rajnath stated that equal priority is being accorded to the welfare measures as well as bolstering the defence capabilities in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. He added that strong emphasis is being laid to achieve Aatmanirnbharta in defence to ensure that the defence forces are equipped with state-of-the-art weapons/platforms manufactured on the Indian soil.

Highlighting the success of the self-reliance efforts being made by the Government, Shri Rajnath Singh said that the annual defence production touched a record high figure of Rs 1.51 lakh crore in the Financial Year 2024-25, with defence exports soaring to an all-time high of Rs 38,424 crore in 2025-26, a staggering increase of 62.66% over the previous financial year. He hoped to achieve the target of Rs 50,000 crore worth of defence exports by 2029-30. “Our efforts are laying the bedrock for an Aatmanirbhar & Sashakt Bharat. Given the pace at which we are advancing, India will soon become self-reliant in the defence sector, and find itself among the leading nations of the world,” he added.

The minister underlined that Viksit Bharat is not merely about physical infrastructure, it is also about fostering a society rooted in mutual responsibility, where no one is left behind. He stressed on the need to emulate, at the national level, the quality of teamwork that the soldiers reflect through ‘unit cohesion’ even in the most adverse battlefield conditions. This spirit must guide the nation’s journey forward to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat, he said.

As part of the event, Shri Rajnath Singh felicitated War Heroes, including Gallantry award recipient Subedar Major Retd. (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav; Next-of-Kin of Subedar and Honorary Captain Karam Singh, Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, Captain Vikram Batra, Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey & Brigadier Mohammad Usman; and Veer Naris of the fallen heroes, honouring their bravery & sacrifice in the service of the nation.