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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday expressed concern over escalating tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States, saying the evolving security environment indicates a changing global order where “abnormality is becoming the new normal”.
Addressing the maritime conclave Sagar Sankalp in Kolkata, Singh said the international security landscape was becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable as competition among major powers expands across multiple domains.
“The situation has become quite complex, and it seems it will become more dynamic in the future,” he said.
Referring to intensifying geopolitical competition, Singh said rivalries are no longer confined to traditional domains. “The way different countries are competing with each other on land, in the air, at sea, and now even in space is truly a matter of concern. What worries me even more is that this abnormality is becoming the new normal,” he said.
The Defence Minister said the ongoing tensions in West Asia illustrate deeper structural changes in global geopolitics, where long-standing assumptions about international order are beginning to erode.
“A change is taking place… old stereotypes, global orders and beliefs are breaking, and we have to understand these uncertainties,” Singh said.
He described the developments in the Middle East as a striking example of the emerging volatility in global affairs.
“The current situation in the Middle East is a burning example of this. What is happening there is very uncommon, and it is difficult to give a concrete prediction about how the situation will change there or in our neighbourhood,” he said.
Singh also underlined the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Persian Gulf region for global energy security, noting that disruptions there could have widespread economic consequences.
“Strait of Hormuz or the entire Persian Gulf region is a crucial area for global energy security. When there is a disruption in this region, it directly impacts the supply of oil and gas,” he said.
Such disruptions, he added, would affect both the global economy and international trade.
Oceans emerging as centres of strategic power
Highlighting the growing importance of maritime geopolitics, Singh said the world’s oceans are once again emerging as arenas of strategic competition.
“Oceans have once again come to the centre of the world’s power balance. At such a time, as a major maritime nation, it is India’s responsibility to provide leadership with confidence, capability and a clear vision,” he said.
Calling for greater self-reliance in defence production, the Minister said reducing dependence on external supply chains is critical in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
“The only way to avoid supply chain disruptions is self-reliance. One of the major pillars of our vision for self-reliance is Defence Public Sector Undertakings,” Singh said.
Team BharatShakti
