Defense Minister Rajnath Singh urged scientists and engineers to take command of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing to further strengthen India’s position in the field of advancement, frontiers and cutting-edge innovation amid ever-evolving modern warfare.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the Indian National Academy of Engineering’s annual convention at IIT Delhi on Thursday, the defense minister pointed out that these niche technologies will impact almost all sectors in a big way in the coming days.
– Right now we are in the starting phase. Our aim should be to first gain control over these technologies so that in future they can be used for the welfare of people to fulfill their immediate basic needs,” said Singh.
In a world that is constantly evolving, the defense sector cannot remain the same, he noted. On the theme of defense self-reliance, he said earlier, India India was left behind in terms of modern weapons and technology, but right now it is moving towards defense self-reliance at an unprecedented pace.
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Asserting that India is going through a defining moment when it is exporting even the weapons it once imported, Singh credited this revolutionary transformation to the collective efforts of the public and private sectors, academia and engineers and innovators. He said he is confident that India will soon have a formidable technological advantage in the global arena.
The Minister of Defense called for an even better organic relationship between industry, research and development organizations and academia. “In developed countries, academic campuses play an important role in developing frontier technologies. There is a need to explore ways to align IIT Delhi and similar institutions of higher scientific learning and excellence with the government’s development drive.”
Singh praised the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) for playing a crucial role in making India self-sufficient. By focusing on innovation, collaboration and modernization, this institute has started a technological revolution in India, he said.
