Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed on making India Atmanirbhar in Defence manufacturing.<br />'' <br />''Addressing a seminar on Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence Manufacturing through Video Conferencing today, Mr Modi said, the aim of the government is to boost defence production, develop new technology and give significant roles to private players in the defence sector.<br />'' <br />''He said, when India became independent, it had a great potential and ecosystem for defense production in India but for decades no serious efforts were made.<br />'' <br />''The Prime Minister remarked that the situation is now changing, continuous and persistent efforts are being made to bring about reforms in the defence sector.<br />'' <br />''He enumerated several concrete steps undertaken in this direction such as improvement in licensing process, creating level playing field and simplification of export process.<br />'' <br />''Mr Modi said, a sense of confidence in the defense sector is essential for building a modern and self-reliant India.<br />'' <br />''He said, the appointment of Chief of Defence Staff has resulted in better synergy and coordination among the three services, and has helped in the scaling up of defence procurement.<br />'' <br />''Prime Minister highlighted the opening of defence sector by permitting 74 per cent FDI through automatic route reflects the confidence of new India.<br />'' <br />''On the infrastructure initiatives, the Prime Minister spoke about two defence corridors underway in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.<br />'' <br />''He said the state of the art infrastructure is being built in collaboration with the state governments of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.<br />'' <br />''An investment target of 20 thousand crore rupees has been set for this in the coming 5 years.<br />'' <br />''The Prime Minister said that self-reliance in defence sector will enhance India's role as a net security provider in Indian Ocean region.<br />'' <br />''He said, India has the potential to become a reliable supplier of defence equipment to many of its friendly nations.<br />'' <br />''Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government has made several bold policy reforms to promote self-reliance in the defence sector.<br />'' <br />''He said, to promote Atmanirbhar Bharat in the defence manufacturing, a separate budget of Rs. 52 thousand crore has been set aside for procurement from domestic vendors.<br />'' <br />''Mr Singh said, a draft Production and Export Promotion policy has been formulated and it was placed in the public domain seeking suggestins from various stakeholders.<br />'' <br />''Defence Minister said, the draft of Production and Export Promotion policy is aimed at providing greater visibility of Armed Forces requirements to the defence manufacturing industry.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Chief of Defence Staff and Secretary Department of Military Affairs General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria were also present on the ocassion.</span><br />