BJP Manifesto: Ruling party vows to expand Bharat’s defence footprint across strategic locations

"This Sankalp Patra is PM Modi’s guarantee that we will work tirelessly to realise your dreams and aspirations," Singh added.

Here are key highlights of what the ruling party has in store for the defence sector: 

Encouraging Startups in Government Procurement

• "We have taken initiatives in many departments including defence and railways to support procurement from startups. We will prepare a strong framework to further encourage startups in government procurement," the manifesto read. 

Increasing Employment Opportunities in Manufacturing  

• "With PLI and Make in India programmes, manufacturing has emerged as a major economic sector with good success in electronics, defence, mobile, automobile, etc. We will continue to work towards making Bharat a global manufacturing hub and enhance employment in this crucial sector," noted the document, spanning more than 70 pages.  
• Protecting India's Security Interests in the Indian Ocean Region  
• "We will expand Bharat’s defence footprint across strategic locations and partner with friendly countries to protect Bharat’s and the Indian Ocean Region’s security interests," it said. 

Global Manufacturing Hub

• "Under the Make in India programme, manufacturing has emerged as a major economic sector with good success in electronics, defence, mobile, automobiles and more."
• "We will work towards making Bharat a global manufacturing hub and enhance employment in these crucial sectors."

Promoting Defence Manufacturing  

• "We will vastly expand domestic defence manufacturing and exports of Made in Bharat defence
• equipment."
• "This effort will be facilitated by accelerating indigenisation in major Air and Land Equipment Platforms."

India is all set to go into polls on April 19. Votes are due to be counted on June 4 and results are expected the same day.