He pointed out that cyber and information warfare could “qualitatively change” the concept of a battlefield.
Highlighting the fact that nuclear proliferation and nuclear security remain a “serious threat in our neighbourhood”, prime minister Manmohan Singh has asked the government to equip the armed forces with necessary means to thwart all threats to the country, including those which go beyond conventional warfare.
Speaking on the occasion of the Combined Commanders Conference in the capital, Singh noted that international strategic and political environment have deteriorated, which must be factored in while adopting policies.
Describing cyber threats as an emerging “major source of worry”, he pointed out that cyber and information warfare could “qualitatively change” the concept of a battlefield.
“Terror groups are highly networked, nimble-footed, and more lethal... (the situation) calls for appropriate responses,” he said.
“In this age of rapid information flows and explosion of technologies, one of the most important security imperatives is our ability to respond to all challenges quickly and in an integrated fashion.”
Singh said, “We have to work assiduously to address problems in the North-East and deal with left-wing extremism comprehensively.”
He stressed that armed forces have to be sensitive to the needs of the weaker sections of society and ensure that the fruits of progress reach them.
“Issues related to use of scarce resources such as land and water, and strengthening institutions of governance require much closer attention than they have received in the past,” Singh said.
He told the commanders that the government will never hesitate in procuring funds for modernisation of the armed forces. Singh said modernisation of the armed forces should not be limited only to acquisition of foreign equipment or foreign technologies.
“We have to progressively reduce our dependence on external sources. This has to be a national effort, involving our armed forces, our scientists and captains of Indian industry,” he said, adding that development of an indigenous defence industry was a national security objective.
Singh asked the commanders to ensure transparency, probity and accountability in procurement procedures and work towards reducing time for processing the same.
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