Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Rajnath Singh Warns Against Perimeter Fallacy, Backs Punishment Deterrence
Rajnath Singh said protecting a country means more than guarding its borders.
Countries can also be attacked with drones, computers, false information and efforts to damage the economy.
He said India wants to use both diplomacy and military strength to stay safe.
Singh described this as keeping peace while being ready to respond to threats.
He said India will not accept terrorism or what he called nuclear blackmail.
He pointed to past military operations as examples of India responding to threats.
The government is also working on locally made weapons and new technologies.
Singh said a strong economy and a strong military both help protect the country.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said national security must extend beyond guarding geographical borders.
He identified drones, cyber-attacks, lone-wolf attacks, disinformation, economic threats and energy disruptions as modern security challenges.
Singh said India has shifted from deterrence by denial toward deterrence by punishment.
He cited surgical strikes, the Balakot air strike and Operation Sindoor as demonstrations of India’s capability and resolve.
He highlighted increased defence funding, domestic production and investment in drones, artificial intelligence, cyber security, space and quantum technology.
- Who
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
- What
- He outlined India’s broader national-security approach and its shift toward deterrence by punishment.
- When
- Thursday.
- Where
- At a defence summit organised by News18.
- Why
- To explain how India is responding to changing threats, including terrorism, cyber-attacks, drones, disinformation and risks to economic and energy security.
- Defence budget
- Singh said it rose from approximately Rs 2.50 lakh crore in FY 2013-14 to Rs 7.85 lakh crore in FY 2026-27.
- Defence production
- He said production reached approximately Rs 1.80 lakh crore.
- Defence research and development
- Allocation increased from approximately Rs 13,700 crore in FY 2014-15 to more than Rs 29,000 crore.
- Industry participation
- Twenty-five percent of the defence R&D budget has been opened to industry, start-ups and academia.
- Indigenisation
- More than 5,500 items have been included across over 10 Positive Indigenisation Lists.
- Research centres
- The government has established 15 Industry-Academia Centres of Excellence.
- New capabilities
- Development efforts include drones, artificial intelligence, cyber security, electronic warfare, space and quantum technology.