India would have been extremely happy to host both Russia and US along with Israel and France At Def Expo 2022
It is very difficult to change certain type of mind set which developed since 1947 and was prevalent in Lutyens Delhi till last decade. A few news reporters, especially defence correspondents still continue to do so.
As used to happen till sometime back, foreign Companies used to be the main attractions at the Defence Expos held in India. So this time a few people were “ really worried “, that Government of India would be highly embarrassed because of a number of Russian Companies ( all sanctioned by USA and West Europeans ) and USA companies along with French and Israeli companies participating at the Defence Expo at Gandhinagar.
Firstly they just forgot one thing, why India would be embarrassed? Firstly all invited participants were coming as guests. All guests are treated equally in India …..we care a damn if they are daggers drawn !!! We have had American officers and Afghani officers doing important prestigious defence course together in India during the first American Iraqi war.
Secondly, defence companies of whichever Country coming to India, were coming to sell their product. We buy them if they are good, meet our requirement and our purse. We don’t take kindly to any Merchant trying to dictate ….we have had enough of East India Company and the so called British Raj…..no more.
The Government of India would have been very happy for hosting both the Russian and the American/French business representatives at the 12th Defence Exhibition (DefExpo22), which was formally inaugurated today (October 19) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Gandhinagar, the capital city of his home-province Gujarat.
It is to be noted that this defense exhibition was originally scheduled to be held from the 10th to the 14th of March at the same venue. However, in an abrupt move, the exhibition was postponed at the last minute because the Russian participants were actually experiencing problems related to logistics’ in the wake of the Russian Ukraine conflict and USA and West Europeans coming together to help Ukraine. On the other hand probably a few others tried some pressure tactics.
Though a few in USA and Europe must have been hoping that India will cancel the invite of Russian Companies. The truth is that India has nonchalantly gone ahead even when USA and European countries have “ boycotted” the exhibition ….but money matters a lot indeed !!!!! They will come to know.
Defence Expo used to be held in our country earlier too but Def Expo 2022 is unprecedented. It’s the symbol of a new beginning. It’s the first such Defence Expo in the country where only Indian companies are participating, where there are only Made in India defence equipment. India is thus giving shape to these opportunities of the future, 53 African nations that are friends of India are standing shoulder to shoulder with India.
“The biggest Defence Expo of the country so far has marked an emphatic beginning of a new future. I know that this has also caused inconvenience to some countries but several countries, with a positive mindset, have come with us,” said our PM without mincing any word while inaugurating the Expo.
The Prime Minister also launched Mission Def Space – to develop innovative solutions for the Defence Forces in the Space domain through industry and startups.
This year’s DefExpo is the first-ever edition exclusively for Indian companies. Indian companies, Indian subsidiaries of Foreign OEMs, Division of a company registered in India, and Exhibitor having a joint venture with an Indian company will be considered as Indian participants.
The DefExpo 2022 also marks the celebration of one year of the formation of the seven new defence companies, carved out of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board.
All these companies will participate in DefExpo for the first time. 451 partnerships in terms of MoUs, Transfer of Technology agreements and product launches, almost double than the last edition, are expected during the Bandhan ceremony on October 20.
The India Pavilion – a marque pavilion of the Department of Defence Production – showcases the maturity of indigenous defence products, start-ups and the latest technology, including Artificial Intelligence in defence, while presenting India’s vision for 2047.
In addition, there is an exclusive Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Pavilion to showcase the prowess of the country’s start-ups carrying out R&D and innovation in futuristic technologies.
