“India Must Prepare for the Wars of the Future Through Innovation, Self-Reliance and Civil-Military Fusion”: Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth
New Delhi : Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth attended the Second Annual ‘Trident Lecture’ organised by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, on September 1, 2026, and delivered a Special Address on the theme ‘Leveraging the Potential of Next Generation for Nation Building’.
Addressing the gathering, the Raksha Rajya Mantri underscored the importance of jointness, integration, civil-military coordination and a strong, self-reliant defence system in the evolving global security environment. Shri Sanjay Seth highlighted that, under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the leadership of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, India is continuously strengthening its defence capabilities and advancing towards the vision of an Aatmanirbhar and developed India. He stated that the commitment of the Defence Forces, adoption of modern technologies and enhanced coordination among the three Services form the foundation of a strong and secure India.
Highlighting the strength and potential of India’s youth, Shri Seth noted that the younger generation is making significant contributions across diverse sectors, including defence, industry, startups, space, agriculture, technology and sports. He observed that India’s aspiration has evolved from “Make in India” to “Make for the World”, reflecting the country’s transition from import dependence towards manufacturing and exporting globally competitive products and technologies.
Applauding the growing contribution of Indian MSMEs and indigenous industries, the Raksha Rajya Mantri stressed the need to strengthen national capabilities in semiconductors, electronics and advanced technologies to prepare the country for the wars of the future. He emphasised that innovation, self-reliance and closer civil-military collaboration will be critical to building a resilient and future-ready national security ecosystem.
Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), noted that national security now extends beyond territorial defence to encompass economic security, technological competition, maritime resilience, critical infrastructure, supply chains and information integrity. Referring to recent operational experience, including Operation Sindoor, he highlighted the importance of coordinated planning and integrated execution in addressing emerging security challenges.
Other eminent speakers, including Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen Sandeep Jain and Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd), deliberated on important themes such as civil-military fusion, multi-domain warfare, emerging technologies, jointness and India’s preparedness for future security challenges. The discussions reinforced the need for a forward-looking, integrated and innovation-driven approach to national security as India advances towards the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
During the event, Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth also launched the book “An Era in Olive Green: Gen Anil Chauhan, Duty, Leadership and Legacy.” The Second Annual Trident Lecture concluded with the closing address by Vice Admiral Rajesh Dhankar, Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Doctrine, Organisation and Training).
