China was asked to send a delagation, but there was no representation from that country.

When asked the Indian Defence Minister AK Antony said 'we invited the Chinese delegation to come and attend but they did not turn up'

However Antony was tight lipped when asked about the absence of Pakistan's presence.

Regarding Pakistan he said 'as compared to 2012 ceasefire violation (by Pakistan)' has decreased after the commencement of meetings between the DGMOs of the two countries.'
'But we cannot rely on this (present) situation. Ceasefire violations can take place. The test for this will be in summer,' he said.

Official delegates comprising 511 delegates from 52 countries are attending the show. India invited 133 delegates from 36 countries who are also attending the Defexpo 2014, including ministers and high ranking officials.

Thirty countries from different continents will be taking part in the exhibition. These are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, South Africa, South Korea (RoK), Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, USA.
There are 12 country pavilions from France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Norway, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, UK and USA.

In all, 624 companies, both foreign and Indian are participating in the DefExpo India-2014, which is 57 more in number than the Defexpo 2012. A total number of 368 foreign companies are participating this year in the show as compared to Defexpo 2012. The number of Indian companies participating this year is 256 as compared to 335 in Defexpo 2012.

Inaugurating the 8th edition of DefExpo, Indian Defence Minister said that the geo-political realities around India pose variours kinds of security challenges. India has always desired peace with all its neighbours. However, such peace cannot come at the cost of our security concerns. “It is for this reason we must ever prepared to meet any challenge posed to our territorial integrity and sovereignty”, he said.

He said regular reviews of the Defence Procurement Procedures (DPP) are being carried out with certain objectives in mind among which balancing the competing requirements of expediting procurement, developing a robust base for indigenous defence sector and to adhere to the highest standards of transparency, probity and public accountability are some of them. In the latest Defence Procurement Procedures approved in 2013, he said emphasis have been laid upon to provide a boost to Indian defence industry both in public and private sector by according preference to the ‘Buy’ (Indian), Buy and Make (Indian) categories of acquisitions. Shri Antony said that at the same time the industry should also come forward to create the necessary capability to take advantage of the provisions of DPP 2013. He said the latest Defence Offset Guidelines articulates the key objectives of the policy document, besides adding some new features and modifying some of the earlier provisions.

On the occasion, the Indian Minister of State for Defence, Jitendra Singh said, with the recent changes in DPP, a huge opportunity has been thrown open before the Indian Private Sector to take initiatives and compete. He said that a close interaction between the production agencies, research and development agencies and the users, the Armed Forces, is also an important aspect.

The four-day DefExpo showcases India’s emergence as an attractive destination for investment in the Defence Sector and provides a platform for alliances and joint ventures in the Defence Industry.

The four-day DefExpo showcases India’s emergence as an attractive destination for investment in the Defence Sector and provides a platform for alliances and joint ventures in the Defence Industry.

Organised by the Department of Defence Production, the exhibition is dedicated to global Land, Naval and Internal Security Systems business activity – from Suppliers to Manufacturers and Technology providers to Services. The DefExpo offers an opportunity to the international Defence Industry to promote and showcase their products and services. The exhibition generates attention globally and has carved a niche amongst major defence exhibitions around the world.

The DefExpo was conceptualised in 1998 with an objective to promote defence exports from India and exhibit the capabilities of Indian Defence R&D and production. The first exhibition was held in 1999 and subsequently in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012. While a modest 197 exhibitors participated in the first DefExpo, the biennial event features 624 exhibitors in its 8th edition this year. Russia is the biggest participating country in terms of indoor and outdoor space occupied. Russia is also represented with the maximum number of 37 companies.

Many products are expected to be launched by Indian and Foreign Companies during the exhibition. Several business-to-business meetings are planned to be held on the sidelines. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is the event manager of the DefExpo 2014.

The Indian Defence Secretary RK Mathur, Secretary (Defence Production) GC Pati, President, FICCI, Sidarth Birla, the three-service Chiefs and senior officials from services and Ministry of Defence were present at the inaugural function.