Says technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, autonomous systems and precision weapons are transforming the battlefield

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the armed forces have been given both the freedom and resources to respond decisively to threats, including carrying out strikes inside adversaries’ territory.

Speaking at an event hosted by a media organisation, Singh, in an apparent reference to Pakistan, said the neighbouring country had sought to undermine India’s security through various means, including misleading youth in Jammu and Kashmir, funding anti-India activities and promoting violence and terrorism.

The Narendra Modi government had foiled these designs, he said, adding: “We have made it clear that if any country promotes terrorism against India, there will be no dialogue; instead, our defence forces will deliver a befitting response.”

“India believes in peace. It neither desires war nor seeks to occupy the territory of any other nation,” Singh said.

He asserted that Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed unprecedented development since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, with new opportunities opening up for the youth. India, he said, adopted a strategy of tackling terrorism through decisive military actions such as the surgical strikes, the Balakot airstrike and Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorists and their handlers.

“The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty sent a clear message that blood and water cannot flow together,” Singh said.

Referring to the changing nature of warfare, the minister said space and cyberspace had emerged as new domains of conflict alongside land, air and sea. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, autonomous systems and precision weapons were transforming the battlefield, he added.

Singh said the government was focused on making India’s defence strategy and security apparatus future-ready, with an emphasis on developing advanced technologies indigenously.

He said India had moved from an import-dependent approach to one centred on indigenous defence manufacturing and self-reliance.

“The armed forces today possess indigenous systems such as the Akashteer air-defence control system, the Akash missile, the Pinaka rocket launcher and the Astra air-to-air missile. We also have indigenous helicopters such as Prachand and Dhruv, the Tejas fighter aircraft, the Arjun tank and modern drone and counter-drone systems,” he said.

Singh noted that India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, has been inducted into the Navy. The country is now producing a wide range of defence equipment while pursuing the development of a sixth-generation fighter aircraft.

“Our aim is to export defence equipment worth Rs 50,000 crore by 2029,” he said.