Prayagraj, May 5 (IANS) Minister of State (MoS) for Defence, Sanjay Seth, on Tuesday asked defence equipment MSMEs and start-ups to think out-of-the-box to stay ahead of the technology curve and continue bolstering the performance of defence forces.

Addressing the North Tech Symposium in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, the MoS credited the success of Operation Sindoor to the courage of the defence forces and the complementary role played by the effectiveness of indigenous state-of-the-art weapons and systems.

He described MSMEs as the backbone of the Indian economy and urged the industry to think outside-the-box to stay ahead of the technology curve.

“Our start-ups and MSMEs are the driving force for future growth and will play a pivotal role in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. They are the Vishwakarmas of our age,” he said.

He commended the defence forces for dismantling the nefarious designs of India’s adversaries by eliminating terror hideouts during Operation Sindoor.

“The effective use of Made-in-India equipment is testimony to the resolve of the entire nation — the government, Defence Public Sector Undertakings and the private sector, especially innovators, start-ups and MSMEs — to achieve Aatmanirbharta in defence,” the MoS said.

The Minister of State asserted that record defence production and defence exports figures are proof of the emergence of ‘New India’ which believes in strengthening its own capabilities to safeguard national interests.

“This New India does not cast an evil eye on anyone, nor does it look the other way if someone tries to threaten its sovereignty,” he added.

He highlighted the Union government’s initiatives to strengthen the defence ecosystem of the country.

Innovation is a continuous process, he said, extending the Union government’s full support.

He acknowledged the transformative impact of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor and exhorted the industry to take the growth to greater heights.

Speaking on the occasion, Central Command’s General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, urged the industry to join hands with the defence forces to fulfill the current operational requirements in emerging domains and contribute to making the Indian Army a future-ready force.

“Self-reliance will lead to strategic autonomy, technological sovereignty, and operational tailoring,” he said.

The three-day North Tech Symposium 2026 has been organised by Indian Army’s Northern and Central Commands and Society of Indian Defence Manufacturer on the theme ‘Raksha Triveni Sangam — Where Technology, Industry and Soldiering Converge’.

The event, which was inaugurated by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday features 284 stalls by private defence manufacturers, showcasing cutting edge defence technology.

–IANS

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