India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, recently addressed the convocation ceremony of the 80th Staff Course at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington, Tamil Nadu. In his speech, he spoke about the importance of preparing India’s Armed Forces for the future. He stressed that in today’s fast-changing world, it is not enough for the Army, Navy, and Air Force to work separately. Instead, they must work together as a team and be ready to handle challenges from all areas—land, sea, air, space, cyber, and even the digital world of information.
A New Era of Warfare
Rajnath Singh explained how warfare today has gone far beyond traditional methods. Wars are no longer fought only with guns, tanks, and fighter jets. Now, technology plays a very big role. For example, in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, drones have become one of the most powerful tools on the battlefield. They have caused more destruction than even traditional weapons like artillery or armored vehicles. Similarly, satellites and space-based systems are now helping militaries with surveillance, communication, and accurate targeting.
He said that artificial intelligence (AI), drones, and other modern technologies are completely changing the way wars are fought. These new tools allow armies to work faster, more efficiently, and sometimes even without risking the lives of soldiers.
Facing New Kinds of Threats
The Defence Minister also talked about “Grey Zone” and “Hybrid Warfare.” These are new kinds of conflicts that don’t always involve open fighting. Instead, countries may use cyber-attacks, spread false information, or even use economic pressure to harm other countries. These methods can be used to achieve political and military goals without even firing a bullet.
India, he said, faces continuous threats along its borders and also deals with the danger of terrorism and proxy wars from neighboring regions. On top of that, global issues like climate change, natural disasters, and tensions in regions like West Asia and the Indo-Pacific also affect India’s security.
The Need for Self-Reliance
To deal with all these challenges, Rajnath Singh said that India must continue to modernize its Armed Forces. This means relying more on its own technology, equipment, and defence production rather than depending on other countries. “Building a strong, self-reliant defence system is not a choice, it is a necessity,” he said.
He also called for developing affordable but advanced technology to help the Armed Forces. India must not just try to keep up with the latest trends in defence technology—it should aim to lead them.
A United Effort for National Security
The Defence Minister emphasized that keeping the country safe is not only the responsibility of the Armed Forces. Every part of the government and society must work together to strengthen national security. This includes diplomacy, economics, technology, and information. He called this a "Whole of Nation" approach.
Rajnath Singh also spoke about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Viksit Bharat by 2047” — a developed India by the time the country completes 100 years of independence. He said that this dream rests on two main pillars: a secure India (Surakshit Bharat) and a strong India (Sashakt Bharat).
He also referred to the idea of “MAHASAGAR” (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), a vision to build better relations and development across countries, especially in the Global South. He said that in today’s connected world, it is more important than ever for countries to work together to face common challenges.
DSSC: A Symbol of Excellence
The Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), which hosted the event, is one of India’s most respected training institutions for the military. Since its establishment in 1948, it has trained over 19,000 Indian officers and around 2,000 officers from friendly countries. Many of its graduates have gone on to hold top positions in their home countries. (PR)