Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged scientists and engineers to gain command over high-end technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing to further strengthen India’s position in the field of advance, frontier and cutting-edge innovation amid constantly evolving modern warfare.
Addressing the inaugural session of the Indian National Academy of Engineering’s Annual Convention at IIT Delhi on Thursday, the defence minister pointed out that these niche technologies are going to impact almost every sector in a big way in the coming days.
“Right now, we are in the initial phase. Our aim should be to first gain command over these technologies so that in the future, they can be used for the welfare of the people to fulfill their immediate basic needs,” Singh said.
In a constantly evolving world, the defence sector cannot remain the same, he observed. Harking on the theme of self-reliance in defence, he said earlier, India India was left behind in terms of modern weapons and technology, but right now, it is moving towards self-reliance in defence at an unprecedented pace.
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Singh asserted that India is passing through a defining moment as it is exporting even those weapons that it once imported, and credited this revolutionary transformation to the collective efforts of the public & private sectors, academia, and engineers and innovators. He said he is confident that India will soon have a formidable technical edge in the global arena.
The defence minister called for establishing an even better organic relationship among the industry, research and development organisations, and academia. “In developed countries, academic campuses play an important role in progressing frontier technologies. There is a need to explore ways on how to co-opt IIT Delhi and similar institutions of higher scientific learning and excellence with the government’s development campaign.”
Singh commended the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) for playing a crucial role in making India self-reliant. By focusing on innovation, collaboration and modernisation, this institute has started a technological revolution in India, he said.
