Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday underscored the need to extend Aatmanirbharta beyond manufacturing indigenous systems to digital sovereignty — control over algorithms, data, and chips that power platforms.
He was speaking at the Delhi Defence Dialogue, organised by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), on the theme ‘Harnessing New Age Technology for Defence Capability Development’, in New Delhi.
“True strategic autonomy will come only when our code is as indigenous as our hardware. We are, therefore, encouraging secure, indigenous software stacks, trusted semiconductor supply chains, and home-grown AI models trained on Indian data,” the Defence Minister said in his inaugural address at the Delhi Defence Dialogue.
“Amidst all the excitement about machines and algorithms, we must remember that technology is not meant to replace human judgment, but to amplify it. We must also invest in the ethical, psychological, and legal dimensions of these emerging technologies. India, as a civilisational power, can and must lead the conversation on responsible and humane use of military technology,” he said.
For India to move from a consumer to a creator of technology, Singh has underlined the need to not only acquire new innovations, but also create the conditions where niche products thrive through sound processes, agile institutions, and a spirit of collaboration that unites the soldier, the scientist, the start-up, and the strategist.
Singh began his address by extending heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives in the tragic accident in Delhi on November 10. He said the country’s leading investigative agencies are conducting a swift and thorough inquiry into the incident, and the findings of the investigation will soon be made public.
The Defence Minister assured the nation that those responsible for this tragedy will be brought to justice and will not be spared under any circumstances.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, DG, MP-IDSA, Ambassador Sujan Chinoy, Ambassadors from friendly nations, and civil and military officials were present on the occasion.
The Defence Minister made special mention of initiatives such as the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and the Technology Development Fund (TDF) that are nurturing a new generation of innovators who, he said, view national defence as a mission of national service.
“They are the architects of a future where cutting-edge technologies from autonomous systems and quantum sensors to advanced materials and space-based surveillance will bear the imprint of Indian ingenuity. From young entrepreneurs, MSMEs to captains of Indian multinationals, individuals and companies have displayed the collective will to help achieve the mission of Viksit Bharat and Aatmanirbharta,” he said.