Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that it's time for the country to emerge as the leading power of the world.
Using a popular dialogue from the US comic "Spiderman", Singh also emphasized that India's rising global stature puts more responsibility on the world's largest democratic nation.
"A strong military not only secures the borders but also protects the culture and economy of a country. The goal is to build a strong, self-reliant, and prosperous nation, which caters to its own needs as well as the requirements of friendly countries," Singh said."This is an era of renaissance. It is time to reestablish India as a global superpower," the Defense Ministry quoted him as saying in a statement.
Speaking at an Economic Conclave organized by a media network, Singh envisaged a "developed" India which would play a leading role in ensuring that the global values of democracy, world peace, religious freedom, and dignity are followed across the planet.
The minister noted that the federal government was committed to having a developed India by 2047, in line with PM Modi's vision.
"India is not an emerging, but a resurgent power which is regaining its place on the global economic map under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Singh stated.
He emphasized increasing the standard of living, and women's participation so that they have an equal say in the development of the country.
"Together, let us dream of an India where people have the same feeling of nation-building; where all Indians work together without any discrimination," he elaborated. "Let us dream of an India which is strong enough to defend itself and be ready to stand against any injustice anywhere in the world," Singh signed off.