Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent emphasis on modernisation and self-reliance in defence production reflects a clear and confident shift in India’s strategic direction. From being one of the largest importers of military equipment, India is now taking concrete steps to become a manufacturing and export hub in the global defence sector. This transformation has been driven by policies such as banning imports of certain weapon systems, incentivising indigenous development, and forging public-private partnerships that strengthen the domestic manufacturing ecosystem.