Greater Noida, September 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s growing role in defence manufacturing, saying BrahMos missiles and AK-203 assault rifles produced in the state are giving “sleepless nights” to Pakistan and Naxalites, respectively.
Shah made the remarks while inaugurating the fourth Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS) at India Expo Mart in Greater Noida.
Addressing the gathering, the Home Minister said Uttar Pradesh was emerging as an engine of India’s growth, with investment and production expanding across the state.
Recalling that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Make in India’ campaign around 12 years ago, Shah said the Centre and state governments subsequently worked together to transform India into a “global hub” for manufacturing and innovation.
He also highlighted India’s economic growth, saying the country had entered the select league of the world’s top five economies and continued to maintain its growth rate despite challenging global circumstances.
Referring to UPITS, Shah said the event reflected the changing economic landscape of Uttar Pradesh. He noted that while traders had shown interest in visiting the state during the first edition, participation grew in the second and third editions, and entrepreneurs were now coming forward to become partners in the state’s development.
“Buyers and investors from across the globe have arrived for the trade show, creating prospects for growth in investment, production, and sales within the state,” he said.
Shah expressed confidence that entrepreneurs would play a key role in helping Uttar Pradesh achieve the goal of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy.
The Home Minister also alleged that Uttar Pradesh’s law-and-order situation was poor before 2017 and that the state was “under the influence of mafia”. He credited the Yogi Adityanath government with creating a more conducive environment for industrial investment and employment, while citing improvements in law and order.
“After the Yogi government came to power, the BJP government has completely eliminated the hooliganism that existed during the SP-BSP governments. As a result, a favourable environment for setting up industries has emerged here,” Shah said.
Highlighting the state’s role in defence production, Shah said investment in the sector was increasing through the defence corridor in regions such as Agra and Aligarh.
He said India’s defence production had crossed the Rs 1 lakh crore mark and that the country was exporting defence products to nearly 80 nations, with Uttar Pradesh playing a “significant role”.
“Today, the BrahMos missiles manufactured in UP give Pakistan sleepless nights; this is a prime indicator of the transformation taking place,” Shah said, referring to the BrahMos facility in Lucknow.
He also cited AK-203 assault rifles manufactured in Amethi as an example of the expansion of defence production in the state.
“Similarly, the AK-203 assault rifles made in Amethi are giving sleepless nights to Naxalites and terrorists alike,” he said.
In a veiled attack on Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Shah said, “Some people call India’s economy ‘dead’; I feel it is their thinking that is dead.”
He said India had maintained its growth rate despite global challenges and uncertainties and continued to move forward.
“Prime Minister Modi has not only formulated policies but also ensured their effective implementation on the ground. The ability to modify policies as needed and formulate new ones has helped establish India as an attractive global manufacturing hub,” Shah asserted.
Shah also highlighted India’s trade agreements with various countries and blocs, saying these had expanded export opportunities for Indian industries. He expressed confidence that events such as UPITS would help take products from Uttar Pradesh to markets across India and the world.
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