Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated on Thursday that India is a “peace-loving nation,” but the Armed Forces must be “prepared for war in order to preserve peace.” On the second and final day of the top-level military leadership meeting, Singh emphasised the importance of evolving a joint military vision and preparing for the types of challenges the country may face in future wars.
The minister praised the Armed Forces for their invaluable contribution to safeguarding national interests and advancing the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, as well as the efforts being made to strengthen jointness and integration among the three services.
Singh urged Commanders to analyse global conflicts such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and the current situation in Bangladesh, as well as predict future challenges and be prepared for unexpected situations. He also emphasised the importance of conducting a comprehensive analysis of issues along the Northern border and in neighbouring countries that are jeopardising regional peace and stability.
“Despite global volatility, India is reaping a rare peace dividend and is progressing peacefully. However, due to the increasing number of challenges, we must remain vigilant. It is critical that we maintain our peace during Amrit Kaal. We must focus on the present, keep an eye on what is going on around us, and be forward-thinking. For this, we need a strong and robust national security component. “We should have fail-proof deterrence,” Singh stated.
The minister also asked commanders to identify and incorporate the appropriate mix of traditional and modern warfare equipment into the Armed Forces arsenal. He emphasised capability development in space and electronic warfare, describing them as critical to addressing modern-day challenges.
He also urged military leaders to prioritise the use of cutting-edge data and artificial intelligence technologies. “These components are not directly involved in any conflict or war. Their indirect participation significantly influences the course of warfare,” he added.
The conference, which began on Wednesday, brought together the country’s combined apex-level military leadership to discuss current and future national security challenges. It also discussed a number of current issues, such as theaterisation, indigenisation, and the role of robotics and AI-enabled autonomous weapon systems.
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