Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated India's biennial aerospace exhibition - 'Aero India' which will showcase the country as an emerging hub for manufacturing military aircraft, helicopters, equipment and new-age avionics. He emphasised that Aero India is not only a show but a "reflection of India's self-confidence”.

At the event, PM Modi released commemorative stamps and said, "The sky of Bengaluru is becoming a witness to the capability of New India. Bengaluru's sky is giving a testimony that the new height is the truth of New India. Today, the nation is touching new heights and even crossing them."

"Aero India is an example of the expanding capabilities of India. The presence of around 100 nations here shows that the world's trust in India has grown. More than 700 exhibitors from India and the world are participating. It has broken all the past records," he added, as per news agency ANI.

He further stressed that the Aero India exhibition "reflects a new approach of New India". "There was a time when it was considered just a show. In the past few years, the nation has changed this perception. Today, it's not just a show but also India's strength. It focuses on the scope of the Indian defence industry and self-confidence," he added.

According to the Prime Minister, India is no longer just a market for defence companies in the world, the country is a potential defence partner today. "This partnership is even with those nations that are much ahead in the defence sector, nations that are looking for a dependable partner for their defence requirements," he said.

"New India of the 21st century will now neither lose any opportunity nor lag behind in hard work. We're ready. On the path to reforms, we're bringing a revolution in every sector. The country which was the biggest defence importer for decades now exports defence equipment to 75 countries," PM Modi emphasised.

The five-day exhibition at the Yalahanka Air Force station complex on the outskirts of Bengaluru will see the participation of 809 defence companies and delegates from 98 countries, news agency PTI reported citing officials.

As per the officials, around 250 business-to-business agreements are expected to be firmed up which is estimated to unlock investment to the tune of around Rs 75,000 crore.

Aero India 2023 will focus on displaying indigenous equipment and technologies and forging partnerships with foreign companies, in line with the 'Make in India, Make for the World' vision of the government.

According to PTI, the major exhibitors at the Aero India will include Airbus, Boeing, Dassault Aviation, Lockheed Martin, Israel Aerospace Industry, BrahMos Aerospace, Army Aviation, HC Robotics, SAAB, Safran, Rolls Royce, Larsen and Toubro, Bharat Forge Limited, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and BEML Limited.

Image courtesy: ANI