India
oi-Ashish Rana
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s growing role in defence manufacturing, saying BrahMos missiles made in the state were giving “sleepless” nights to Pakistan, while AK-203 rifles produced in Amethi were being used against “Naxalites and terrorists”.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s defence manufacturing, mentioning BrahMos missiles and AK-203 rifles, alongside India’s sustained economic growth at the UPITS event in Greater Noida, noting defence production surpassed ₹1.78 lakh crore.
Speaking at the inauguration of the fourth edition of the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS) in Greater Noida, Shah also spoke about India’s economic growth amid global uncertainty.
He said India had not only sustained its growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi but had also “strengthened” its economic performance despite challenges around the world.
“Amid such an atmosphere of upheaval and unrest across the world, despite numerous hurdles, India has maintained its growth rate. Not only has it maintained it, but it has taken it forward,” he said.
Amit Shah Highlights UP’s Defence Manufacturing Growth
Speaking about the transformation in Uttar Pradesh under the BJP rule after 2017, he said, “Today, BrahMos made in Uttar Pradesh gives Pakistan sleepless nights. This is the biggest sign of change,” he said, recalling how India had effectively used BrahMos missiles during Operation Sindoor to avenge the dastardly civilian killings in Pahalgam.
He further said the Modi government has signed free trade agreements with Mauritius, the UAE, Austria, a four-country European grouping, the UK, Oman, New Zealand and the European Union, which has expanded export opportunities for Indian entrepreneurs.
AK-203 Rifles From Amethi Used Against Naxalites, Terrorists
Shah praised the ‘One District One Product (ODOP)’ initiative in Uttar Pradesh, claiming that it has helped create employment opportunities in the most populous state.
“Once upon a time, people from here used to go to states across the country in search of employment. Those same youth of Uttar Pradesh are today getting employment in their own state because of ODOP,” Shah said.
The minister pointed out that six nodes of the defence corridor are being developed in Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Lucknow, Agra, Aligarh and Kanpur in the state.
“Investment is coming into these areas for the manufacture of defence equipment,” he said.
उत्तर प्रदेश में बने ब्रह्मोस पाकिस्तान की नींद उड़ा देते हैं और अमेठी में बनी AK-203 असॉल्ट राइफल नक्सलियों व आतंकियों की नींद उड़ा चुकी है। pic.twitter.com/5GuAufsHDl
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 25, 2026
India’s Defence Production Crosses Rs 1.78 Lakh Crore
“The country’s defence production has now crossed approximately Rs 1.78 lakh crore, and defence product exports have increased 56 times compared to 2013-14. Today, India’s defence products are being exported to around 80 countries, with Uttar Pradesh also making a significant contribution,” Shah said.
Highlighting the rising electronic exports, semiconductor investments, capital expenditure and record GST collections, Shah said India recorded 7.8 per cent growth and remained the fastest-growing major economy.
Free Trade Deals To Expand Export Opportunities
The minister said the “transformation from an earlier environment of crime to defence manufacturing, vehicle production and medical-device manufacturing” represented a major change in Uttar Pradesh under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Shah also lauded the current investment climate in the state, claiming that the state had to hold an investment conference in Delhi in 2013 as investors were unwilling to come to Lucknow due to the law and order situation.
“The primary condition for creating an investment climate is that the law and order situation should be good,” Shah said while slamming the previous Samajwadi Party and BSP governments over the issue.
UP’s Investment Climate Sees Major Transformation
“There was once an industry of crime operating in Uttar Pradesh, cottage industries of vehicle theft had come up in city after city, and illegal country-made pistols were being manufactured. But today, in that same Uttar Pradesh, a defence corridor is being developed in place of the country-made pistol industry, vehicle manufacturing is taking the place of vehicle theft, and a medical device park is being developed in place of chain snatching,” he claimed.
He further recalled how in 2013 an investment conference had to be held in Delhi due to law and order issues.
“At that time, when there was a controversy in the media, the Uttar Pradesh officials without hesitation said that the law and order situation in Lucknow was such that no investor was ready to come there, and therefore we had come to Delhi,” he said and added that now the situation has changed drastically under BJP.
“Today, look at the situation. Uttar Pradesh is becoming a fear-free investment centre and an engine of the country’s development,” he said.
ODOP Creating Jobs For Youth Across Uttar Pradesh
He cited Bhadohi carpets, Moradabad brassware, Firozabad glass, Saharanpur woodcraft, Kannauj perfume and Banarasi silk sarees as products that had gained recognition across the country.
Shah said September 25 also marked 12 years since Modi announced the Make in India initiative.
“Twelve years ago, on this day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Make in India. Today, UPITS is taking forward the same Make in India vision,” he said.
From ‘Fragile Five’ To World’s Top Five Economies
He said India had moved from the “Fragile Five” to the world’s top five economies during these 12 years and linked the progress to the Make in India initiative.
Shah also remembered Deendayal Upadhyay’s contribution, saying September 25 marked his 110th birth anniversary.
“Deendayal ji was the first person after Independence to put forward the concept of free trade, free agriculture and a free-trade, free-agriculture economic policy,” he said, adding that the concept later became a basis for development under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Modi.
Shah Recalls Deendayal Upadhyay’s Contribution
He also credited Deendayal with laying the foundation of organisation-based politics, saying the Bharatiya Jana Sangh founded on that basis later became the BJP.
Shah said Deendayal’s life remained an inspiration and an exemplary path for workers.
He further said Modi had set a resolve that by August 15, 2047, India would be number one in every field.
“We will fulfil that resolve,” Shah said.
