Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called for geo‑strategic thinking and contingency planning to be made integral to India’s defence preparedness, highlighting the challenges posed by evolving technology, unpredictability, and geographical proximity.
Speaking at the Indian Navy Commanders’ Conference, Singh emphasized that India’s preparedness must “reach the crisis point before the crisis itself reaches the doorstep.” He praised the Navy’s professionalism during Operation Urja Suraksha, which safeguarded India’s energy supply lines, reinforcing the nation’s role as a first responder and preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean Region under the MAHASAGAR vision.
Singh noted the presence of Indian warships in the South China Sea, Mediterranean, and Atlantic Ocean as proof of India’s blue‑water naval capability, projecting trust and reliability across global waters. He commended the Navy’s high combat readiness, describing it as a strategic anchor in India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Conference deliberations focused on harnessing Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, autonomous systems, cyber operations, logistics, and training to build a Combat Ready – Credible – Cohesive – Future Ready force, guided by Jointness, Self‑reliance, and Innovation.
