Chennai, April 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the 10th edition of DefExpo 2018 today. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Edappadi Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu O Panneerselvam and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman accompanied PM Modi.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Make in India' pavilion at the DefExpo 2018

This is PM’s first ever visit to a defence expo. After launching the pavilion PM Modi addressed the gathering. During his address The Prime Minister hailed defence ministry for its efforts. PM Modi said that he was delighted to see the participation of more than 500 Indian along with over 150 foreign companies. “This is an opportunity like none other not only to discuss India’s defence requirements but also to showcase for the first time India’s defence manufacturing capabilities to the world," The Prime Minister said.

Highlighting the main theme of this defence expo, The PM said,” Today we live in an interconnected world, therefore the strategic imperative for make in India and Make for India, and supply to the world from India is stronger than ever.” Focusing on the importance of the manufacture of defence products PM Modi said that the factory force of defence manufacturing play an important role in statregising the decisions.

More than 670 countries are participating in the DefExpo 2018. Delegations fr5om 40 countries have also participated in the mega event. The theme of this year’s DefExpo is, “India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub”. India is promoting itself as a defence manufacture and trying to change its image from defence importer to defence manufacturer.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 12, 2018 12:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).