During India’s recent Operation Sindoor, few realised that some of the high-tech equipment they used came from homegrown startups.

From Bharat Dynamics’ missile systems to Solar Industries’ loitering munitions and Paras Defence’s electronics and drone components, Indian-built platforms played a decisive role. ideaForge’s SWITCH UAV and NETRA V2, already in use by the armed forces, were joined by Alpha Design’s SkyStriker and NewSpace Research’s drone swarms showcasing India’s growing capability in next-gen warfare.

It was a turning point in India’s defence story: a bold declaration that the future of warfare in India is being engineered in labs within the country. 

A wave of ambitious startups, powered by government-backed initiatives and innovation incentives, is clearly redefining India’s defence ecosystem. From drones and AI-powered surveillance to lightweight ballistic gear, these companies are helping India reduce its import dependence, and in some cases, outpacing traditional suppliers in speed, cost, and customisation.

These startups are not just plugging critical defence gaps; they’re redefining the very concept of strategic preparedness. Once seen as supporting players, companies like Tata Advanced Systems (TAS), Paras Defence & Space Technologies, and IG Drones, among others, are now at the forefront of India’s military modernization. TAS, for instance, is partnering with Airbus to manufacture the C-295 military transport aircraft at India’s first private aircraft plant in Vadodara.

Beyond frontline deployments, the Drone Federation of India with over 550 companies and 5,500 pilots, is steering India toward its goal of becoming a global drone hub by 2030. IG Drones provides R&D, manufacturing, and field services to both the military and government agencies, exemplifying how private players are powering this transformation.

The government’s proactive policies have been instrumental in nurturing this ecosystem. The Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, launched in 2018, aims to foster innovation by providing financial support to startups and MSMEs. As of February 2025, the Ministry of Defence has cleared procurement of 43 items worth over Rs2.4 billion from iDEX-supported entities, reflecting a significant commitment to indigenous solutions.

Over 1,000 defence tech startups have sprouted across the country, propelled by government initiatives like iDEX and strategic partnerships with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). These startups are at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technologies, ranging from autonomous drones to advanced missile systems.

Furthermore, the Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC) under iDEX have presented numerous opportunities for startups to address specific defence needs. The 13th edition, launched in October 2024, featured seven challenges from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, encouraging startups to develop innovative solutions.

India’s defence exports have witnessed a meteoric rise, too, reaching an all-time high of Rs236.22 billion in FY 2024-25, a 34-fold increase over the past decade. This surge is indicative of the global recognition of India’s defence capabilities and the quality of its indigenous technologies.

States like Uttar Pradesh are becoming pivotal in this growth story. The Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor has attracted investments worth Rs284.75 billion, with significant developments like the inauguration of a BrahMos missile manufacturing unit in Lucknow.

India’s defence startup ecosystem symbolizes the nation’s resolve to achieve strategic autonomy and technological self-reliance. With continued policy support, investment, and a focus on innovation, these startups are poised to not only bolster national security but also establish India as a global hub for defence technology. (Khaleej Times)

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With chief ministers and lieutenant governors of over three dozen states and Union territories expressing solidarity and commending the success of Operation Sindoor at the 10th governing council meeting of the NITI Aayog Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it is this approach that is needed to achieve Viksit Bharat (Developed India) goals by 2047.

“The strength of Team India shown in Operation Sindoor will also be the same feature which will enable India to achieve Viksit Bharat goals,” the PM said while addressing the meeting.

The governing council is the apex body of NITI Aayog and comprises the CM’s of all states, L-Gs of Union territories, the PM, cabinet ministers and top central government officials. It meets once a year. This year’s theme is ‘Vikshit Rajya for Viksit Bharat (Developed state for Developed India) @2047’.

However, while supporting Operation Sindoor, CMs of Opposition-ruled states including Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh raised issues of inadequate sharing of resources by the Centre and how it goes against the principle of cooperative federalism. Five CMs including three from Opposition-ruled states—West Bengal (Mamata Banerjee), Kerala (Pinarayi Vijayan) and Karnataka (Siddaramaiah)—skipped Saturday’s meeting. N. Rangaswamy, CM of Puducherry, Bihar’s Nitish Kumar also didn’t attend.

Speaking at the governing council meeting, Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin said, “It is not ideal for states in a federal democracy like India to struggle, argue, or litigate to receive the funds rightfully due to them. It hinders the development of both the state and the country.”

Stalin pushed for the states’ share of divisible tax revenue to be increased to 50 percent. He said that the 15th Finance Commission had recommended that 41 percent of divisible tax revenue be shared with states. Over the past four years, he claimed, only 33.16 percent of the Union government’s gross tax revenue had been shared.

Stalin also raised the issue of Centre’s decision to withhold the state’s funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan after Tamil Nadu refused to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre to implement its flagship PM Schools for Rising India scheme.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann brought up the issue of water and said his state does not have enough water to share with neighbouring Haryana.

Punjab and Haryana are involved in a dispute over sharing of water from the Bhakra-Nangal Dam.

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also spoke about pending central dues to the state. Sukhu said hill states like Himachal should get a higher allocation of funds.

‘Operation Sindoor has to be converted to social strength’

This was the first time after Operation Sindoor that PM Modi interacted with the CMs and L-Gs of all states and UTs under one roof. Except for West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Puducherry’s N Rangasamy, Karnataka’s Siddaramaiah, Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan and Bihar’s Nitish Kumar, all attended Saturday’s meeting.

Addressing a press briefing in the evening, NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam said that most of the CMs who did not attend the meeting had either prior engagements or were not well. But he reiterated that there was a lot of positivity around.

“There was complete unanimity on Operation Sindoor and regret and anger over what happened in Pahalgam. That was a common theme at the meeting…the solidarity was uniform, irrespective of any particular ideology or party orientation,” Subrahmanyam said.

The PM said that Operation Sindoor is not just a show of army strength. “…it has to be converted to social strength. Society came out and supported our action. Similarly, Viksit Bharat is not the idea of a chief minister or an individual or anybody in the system…It has to be converted into a people’s movement,” the PM said.

“Ek lakshya tha Operation Sindoor ke liye…Viksit Bharat ke liye ek lakshya hoga aur hum ekjut hokar iske liye kaam karenge,” the PM said.

He added that Viksit Bharat should be the goal of every Indian. “When every state is Viksit, then Bharat will be Viksit. This is the aspiration of its 140 crore citizens.”

Modi said that India should focus on one goal: “We should have the aim of making each state Viksit, each city Viksit, each municipality Viksit and each village Viksit. If we work on these lines, we will not have to wait till 2047 to become Viksit Bharat.”

At the meeting, chief ministers made presentations about the vision plans for their respective states. Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu and NDA ally proposed forming three focused sub-groups of states, in collaboration with the Centre and NITI Aayog, to fast-track progress toward Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai outlined the state’s bold long-term development vision to transform the state into a Rs 75 lakh crore economy by 2047. As part of this long-term development agenda, the government has prepared a comprehensive strategy called the ‘Chhattisgarh Anjor Vision Document’, which outlines integrated plans for economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability. (ANI)

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On May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a decisive military campaign targeting terrorist camps and launch pads across Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation was in direct retaliation for the brutal killing of 26 tourists, including Indian and foreign nationals, in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, by militants of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. The attack drew global condemnation and united many countries in their support for India’s right to defend itself against cross-border terrorism.

Symbolically named after “sindoor”—the red mark worn by married Hindu women—Operation Sindoor paid tribute to the wives and families of those killed in the Pahalgam massacre. The operation was led by two women officers of the Indian Armed Forces, Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, highlighting the strength and leadership of women in India’s military response. The campaign struck nine high-value targets, including training centers and logistical hubs in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, and Kotli—regions long suspected to harbor militant infrastructure.

One of the most strategically significant strikes was on the Noor Khan Air Base in Chaklala near Rawalpindi, which functions as a major logistical hub for Pakistan’s military. The base hosts C-130 Hercules and IL-78 aerial refueling aircraft and is situated close to the headquarters of the Strategic Planning Division, which oversees Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. Another critical site, the Mushaf Air Base in Sargodha—connected to underground nuclear storage beneath the Kirana Hills—was also hit in coordinated air raids.

Pakistan’s response included the deployment of Turkish drones and Chinese-supplied missiles. However, these attacks were largely neutralized by India’s multi-layered air defense systems. The Indo-Israeli Akash missile defense system and indigenous L-70 automatic guns successfully intercepted incoming threats. Notably, India’s Russian-made S-400 air defense system was not activated during the confrontation. On the other side, questions arose regarding the performance of Pakistan’s Chinese HQ-9 air defense system, potentially affecting confidence in Beijing’s military exports.

Operation Sindoor marks a clear escalation in India’s counterterrorism strategy. While India has previously carried out surgical strikes and precision air raids—such as those following the 2016 Uri attack and the 2019 Pulwama bombing—this operation demonstrated a broader reach and strategic intent. For the first time, targets were struck in Pakistan’s heartland, including Bahawalpur and Muridke in the Punjab province, home to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s family and known as a Lashkar-e-Taiba stronghold. Reports indicate that Pakistani military officials were seen attending funerals of the militants killed, with coffins draped in the national flag, underlining the state’s implicit support for these groups.

Following the operation, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10. However, India immediately announced the suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, declaring that it would remain suspended as long as Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism. This move represents a decisive shift in India’s strategic posture—one that directly links counterterrorism to water diplomacy, a domain previously kept outside the conflict.

The ceasefire announcement was echoed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed credit for mediating between the two countries. Although India officially denied any third-party involvement, it is evident that Washington played a backchannel role in de-escalating the crisis. During his first term, Trump had offered to mediate the Kashmir conflict, and now, with renewed global involvement, India may find it increasingly difficult to reject such offers outright. At the same time, India requires global support to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and economically for sponsoring terror—support that the United States is uniquely positioned to offer.

Traditionally, India has resisted third-party mediation, while Pakistan has welcomed it. With talks stalled since the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack, India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has insisted that any negotiations can only begin after Pakistan completely halts its terror operations against India. This stance remains unchanged, even as the geopolitical climate grows more complex.

A further complication for India comes from the shifting political landscape in Bangladesh. Since the removal of the India-friendly Sheikh Hasina government, the caretaker administration in Dhaka has pursued closer ties with Islamabad. Threats from Bangladeshi leaders to retaliate militarily in India’s northeast in the event of future strikes on Pakistan have been met with concern in New Delhi.

Adding to this is China’s deepening alliance with Pakistan. Despite strained Sino-Indian relations following the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, Beijing continues to affirm its unwavering support for Islamabad. China publicly backed Pakistan’s right to defend its sovereignty and provided crucial military assets used in the latest conflict. Pakistan’s use of Chinese fighter jets and missile systems during the standoff underscores the depth of the China-Pakistan military partnership and signals new challenges for India’s strategic planning in the region.

Operation Sindoor has redefined the contours of India’s response to cross-border terrorism. By executing precision strikes deep inside hostile territory, suspending a decades-old water treaty, and recalibrating its strategic messaging, India has signaled a new era of assertiveness. The operation serves as a reminder that symbolic strength, military readiness, and diplomatic leverage can be combined effectively to reshape the regional security architecture. (Asian News Post)

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