Next-generation technologies, jointness vital for India’s future security: Sanjay Seth
New Delhi, September 1. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth has stressed the need for greater jointness among the armed forces, closer civil-military coordination and accelerated adoption of emerging technologies to strengthen India’s preparedness for future security challenges.
Addressing the second annual ‘Trident Lecture’, organised by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi on September 1, Seth said India’s evolving security environment required a strong, self-reliant and technologically advanced defence ecosystem.
Delivering a special address on ‘Leveraging the Potential of Next Generation for Nation Building’, Seth said the government was steadily strengthening the country’s defence capabilities under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in line with the vision of an ‘Aatmanirbhar’ (self-reliant) and developed India.
He identified the commitment of the armed forces, rapid adoption of modern technologies and closer coordination among the Army, Navy and Air Force as key pillars of a strong and secure India.
Highlighting the role of India’s young population, Seth said the country’s youth were making significant contributions across diverse sectors, including defence, industry, startups, space, agriculture, technology and sports.
He said India’s ambitions had evolved from ‘Make in India’ to ‘Make for the World’, reflecting the country’s shift from dependence on imports towards the development and export of globally competitive products and technologies.
Seth also underlined the growing contribution of Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and indigenous defence industries, stressing the need to build stronger domestic capabilities in strategic technologies such as semiconductors, electronics and other advanced systems.
He said these capabilities would be critical to preparing India for the wars of the future, where technological superiority, innovation and the ability to rapidly integrate capabilities across multiple domains are expected to play an increasingly decisive role.
Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) Air Marshal Tejinder Singh said the concept of national security had expanded well beyond conventional territorial defence. Economic security, technological competition, maritime resilience, protection of critical infrastructure, resilient supply chains and information integrity had emerged as equally important components of national security, he said.
Referring to India’s recent operational experience, including Operation Sindoor, Air Marshal Tejinder Singh highlighted the importance of coordinated planning and integrated execution in responding to contemporary security challenges.
Other speakers, including Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen Sandeep Jain and Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd), deliberated on issues such as civil-military fusion, multi-domain warfare, emerging technologies, jointness and India’s preparedness for future conflicts.
The discussions emphasised the need for a forward-looking, integrated and innovation-driven national security architecture as India works towards the goal of Viksit Bharat @2047.
During the event, Seth also released the book, An Era in Olive Green: Gen Anil Chauhan, Duty, Leadership and Legacy, chronicling the professional journey, leadership and legacy of former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.
The second annual Trident Lecture concluded with the closing address by Vice Admiral Rajesh Dhankar, Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Doctrine, Organisation and Training).
