Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today said there is a need to increase the country's capabilities in emerging areas like cyber and space, which can be the sources of new threats.
He said India's security challenges, including cross-border terrorism, transnational crime and drug trafficking, remain diverse and serious. Added to these are new challenges in areas that constitute the 'global commons' - such as space, the high seas and cyberspace.
Addressing the Combined Commanders' Conference in New Delhi, he said India has been a strong proponent of efforts to promote international peace, security and development and to act as a factor of stability in our region and beyond.
"We must therefore reorient our mindsets and define a long-term integrated perspective that aligns these capabilities with envisaged outcomes. It is my hope that the commanders will discuss these issues and not limit themselves to only material capabilities."
"Preparedness is a function of modernising and indigenising our defence research, production and acquisition infrastructure. Our acquisition processes and procedures must stay abreast of global best practices.
"The Defence Public Sector Undertakings and Ordnance Factories too need to do more in absorbing technology and building capacities. They must also learn to adapt quickly in order to respond to changing needs and provide the required confidence to the users of their products."
Dr Singh said: "Fortunately, the Indian private sector is now in a position to contribute to the defence industrial base and must be leveraged in the nation's interest. Without this, the users' levels of dissatisfaction due to time and cost overruns and technological obsolescence are bound to grow.
"In this forum of leaders, I do not need to emphasise that leadership is the touchstone that will define the end result of any conflict and the outcome we are able to achieve. Technical excellence and domain knowledge are important in this regard. Equally, as leaders, your task is to grow more leaders. I am sure that adequate attention is being given to this aspect and that building the next generation of leadership is something that you are focusing on."
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