Global confidence in India’s defence technology is on the rise, says PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat

During the 136th episode of his monthly broadcast, Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a moment to talk about something that’s been on his mind lately – the way the world is looking at India’s defence capabilities. He said, almost matter‑of‑factly, that confidence in Indian defence equipment is climbing, and he didn’t just mean it in passing.

“Friends, whether it is defence production, defence exports or political cooperation with friendly nations, Bharat is continuously scaling new heights,” Modi said. He then reminded listeners of a trip he made to Jakarta earlier this month, where India and Indonesia signed a landmark deal covering the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and the Astra beyond‑visual‑range air‑to‑air missile. “The world’s confidence is increasing towards Bharat’s defence equipment and technology,” he added.

The Ministry of External Affairs echoed the prime minister’s sentiment on X, noting that the BrahMos‑Astra agreement is a clear sign that “global confidence in India’s defence tech is growing.” Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal even wrote that the deal reflects a “growing global trust in Indian defence technology.” It’s a line you’ll see repeated in a few places, but the repetition feels intentional – it’s a message the government wants to cement.

Why does this matter? For a country that has long relied on imports for many of its weapons, each export or co‑production contract is a small step toward strategic autonomy. The BrahMos, already in service with several armed forces, is now being pitched to a new partner, while the Astra gives Indonesia a home‑grown air‑to‑air capability. Both are high‑tech, high‑profile products that can showcase Indian engineering on a global stage.

Beyond the missiles, the two leaders – Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto – used the occasion to stress a broader, more ambitious vision: a “free, open, transparent, rules‑based, peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Indo‑Pacific.” Their joint statement highlighted economic synergies, the “Viksit Bharat 2047” and “Indonesia Emas 2045” roadmaps, and a shared commitment to deepen maritime and defence cooperation.

In practical terms, the agreement paves the way for regular defence dialogues, joint exercises, staff talks, research collaborations, even co‑production of new technologies. Think of it as a toolbox that both countries can keep adding to, from port calls to peace‑keeping missions, from hydrography to cadet exchanges. It’s a fairly extensive list, and that’s exactly what the ministries want – to turn a single missile deal into a multi‑layered partnership.

For India’s defence industry, the message is crystal clear: keep innovating, keep exporting, keep partnering. The world seems to be taking note, and Modi’s casual mention on a radio programme was perhaps the most public acknowledgement of a trend that policymakers have been nurturing behind the scenes for years.