‘Rapid advancement of technology stands as the most crucial force’

Text of RM’s speech at the Convocation Ceremony of the National Defence College in New Delhi

It gives me immense pleasure to be here this morning at National Defence College, the highest seat of strategic learning of our Country. I am filled with pride and hope for the nation. Each of you stands at the confluence of knowledge, leadership, and strategic vision, ready to contribute to the security and development of our great country.

Over the years the National Defence College has grown both in stature and reputation internationally, and today there is an ever-increasing demand amongst the international defence fraternity to be associated with it. The College has shaped the thoughts of many strategic leaders and practitioners of our own country, as also from many friendly foreign countries.

I congratulate all 62nd NDC course members being awarded the Master of Philosophy degree today. I am confident that throughout this course, you would have had discussions on a wide range of pertinent issues, ideating on challenging scenarios that would have sharpened your intellect and refined your skills. NDC, most certainly would have enhanced your insight into the strategic challenges being faced by the world today, and also equipped you for greater responsibilities of strategic leadership and policy formulation.

As you stand at the threshold of new responsibilities after completing this prestigious course, it is important to recognize the broader context in which your expertise will be applied. The world around us is evolving rapidly, with new security dynamics and challenges emerging every day. In this fast changing landscape, where the focus of every nation is to remain ahead of the curve and be future ready, the role of strategic thinkers like you becomes even more critical.

Friends, we are all aware that nations around the world are striving to prepare their armed forces for the challenges of tomorrow. India is no exception. Our commitment to modernizing our military is resolute. We are focused on developing a technologically advanced, agile defence force, capable of responding to emerging threats and safeguarding our national security. By investing in cutting-edge defence technologies and nurturing a robust defence ecosystem, we are ensuring that our armed forces remain future-ready and resilient in an evolving global landscape.

However, today, I am not going to talk about how are we making our forces future ready. As I stand in this esteemed institution of academic excellence, I am inspired to share my thoughts on the importance of academic rigour in shaping the leaders who are future–ready to guide a future-ready force in an ever-evolving world.

The necessity for academic and strategic learning for the defence personnel has been long recognized, but its significance has grown exponentially in the modern context. The evolving nature of warfare, technological revolutions, and global interconnectivity, demand that leaders in the defence domain be more than just tactical experts. They must also be strategic thinkers, capable of anticipating future conflicts, understanding global political dynamics, and leading with both intelligence and empathy.

Warfare today has surpassed the traditional battlefields of land, sea, and air. We now operate in a multi-domain environment where cyber, space, and information warfare are just as critical as conventional operations. Cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns, and economic warfare have become tools that can destabilize a whole nation without a single shot being fired. Officers must therefore need to have knowledge in not just tactics but also in the broader strategic implications of these new domains.

This transformation necessitates a broader and more integrated approach to military education. Officers now need to develop a deep understanding of the fields that were once peripheral but are now central to modern defence strategies. In an era where warfare is increasingly waged in the digital domain, knowledge of autonomous systems, and cyber defence is no longer optional, but essential. For instance, recognizing the devastating potential of cyber-attacks to cripple a nation’s critical infrastructure — from power grids to communication networks and financial systems is crucial for developing comprehensive defence strategies.

Moreover, defence officers must possess the ability to analyse complex problems and devise innovative solutions. The future battlefield will demand leaders who can think critically, adapt to unforeseen circumstances, and leverage technology to their advantage. Academic learning provides the foundation for this, fostering a culture of continuous learning and intellectual curiosity. Academic institutions, such as the NDC and others, play a pivotal role in this development of the intellectual foundation for strategic thinking. These institutions equip the officers with the knowledge and analytical skills needed to navigate the evolving security landscape.

Friends, I firmly believe that the rapid advancement of technology stands as the most crucial force, driving the evolution of future-ready Armed forces. From drones and autonomous vehicles to artificial intelligence and quantum computing, the technologies shaping modern warfare are evolving at a breath-taking pace. For officers to lead a future-ready armed force, they must not only understand these technologies but also harness them to gain a strategic advantage.

For instance, Artificial Intelligence or AI has the potential to revolutionize military operations, from predictive analytics to autonomous decision-making systems. You will be the leaders, who will have to decide where and how to leverage this technology. Whether you will deploy this technology to enhance situational awareness, or to optimize resource allocation, or to improve decision-making in real-time, that will have to be decided. Along with that, you will also have to decide the threshold level of the decisions AI is allowed to take, above which human intervention becomes necessary. This is because increasing reliance on AI in decision-making processes can raise concerns about accountability and the potential for unintended consequences.

Friends, here I also want to discuss the related aspect of ethical dilemmas to be faced by the military leaders, as the warfare becomes more complex. The ethical dilemmas have always been there, but as military technology advances, particularly with the use of autonomous drones, AI, and cyber-warfare, we will face ethical questions about the extent to which machines should make life-and-death decisions. The lack of clear regulations or accountability in such areas heightens the ethical dilemmas. Therefore, academic learning in ethics, philosophy, and military history will provide officers with the tools to handle this sensitive subject and make sound and ethical decisions. I want NDC and other defence academic institutions to play a critical role in shaping these perspectives, instilling in future leaders the moral framework needed to handle the complexities of modern warfare responsibly.

Friends, in today’s interconnected world, a firm grasp of geopolitics, international relations, and the complexities of global security alliances is a must for military leaders. The decisions made by military leaders can have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the battlefield and into the realm of diplomacy, economics, and international law. As such, strategic learning in these areas is crucial.

Academic institutions in Defence Sector play a critical role in providing this education. I am sure NDC would be focusing on this aspect of learning. Officers should be exposed to a wide range of subjects, from international law to foreign policy, to equip them with the tools to make informed decisions. By understanding the global context, officers are better positioned to lead their forces where military actions are often intertwined with diplomatic efforts.

Friends, we find ourselves in a time of unprecedented threat, where the very tools and technologies that permeate our daily lives have the potential to be weaponized on a massive scale. I think all of you can guess which recent incident I am referring to. The mere thought that our adversaries could exploit these capabilities serves as a sobering reminder of the urgency with which we must prepare for such stark possibility. In light of these threats, institutions like the National Defence College must evolve their course curriculum to not only incorporate case studies on such unconventional warfare but also to drive strategic innovation. We must ask critical questions: What would be our immediate and long-term plan of action if faced with such a technologically-driven attack? Can we accurately predict the kinds of threats that may emerge in the future? Our ability to anticipate, adapt, and respond will define our readiness in the face of these ever-evolving challenges.

In a similar vein, I would like to emphasize that the curriculum of academic institutions must remain dynamic and adaptable to ensure its relevance to practitioners in the field. This is particularly critical for institutions in the defence sector, where rapid and continuous developments demand an up-to-date knowledge base. I am confident that NDC would be continuously updating its course content through various means, such as integrating case studies of recent conflicts, publishing white papers on relevant issues, etc.

Here, I would also like to add that learning must be a continuous process, not confined to the duration of a course. To extend the reach and impact of NDC, the introduction of online, short-term modules on critical subjects would be a valuable initiative. This would allow more officers, irrespective of their geographical location or time constraints, to benefit from the wealth of knowledge and expertise offered by such a prestigious institution. Furthermore, NDC’s extensive and well-established alumni network is an untapped resource that can play a pivotal role in this initiative. By leveraging the experience and insights of its alumni, NDC can foster a thriving, collaborative learning ecosystem that continuously enriches the professional development of defence personnel.

Friends, these were some of the key thoughts I wanted to share with you today. As you move forward, I have full confidence that each one of you, alongside the National Defence College, will continue to engage deeply with these critical issues. The challenges of modern warfare, ethical dilemmas, and strategic leadership are not just topics for reflection, they are the very foundation upon which the future of our national security will be built.

Finally, I once again congratulate all the officers of the 62nd NDC Course who have been awarded the M.Phil degree today. I would also like to specially congratulate the officers from foreign countries of this NDC course. You are akin to the ambassadors of your respective countries. You are the bridge between India and your country and challenges and concerns shared during this course would pave the way for enhancing the collective security and prosperity in region. I wish all of you, great success in your future endeavours and am confident that you will earn great achievements for yourself and your countries. And in doing so you will make both this country and the NDC proud.

I would also like to specially compliment the Registrar and Team at University of Madras, which has since 2006 been closely associated with NDC and in running its M.Phil curriculum on Defence and Strategic Studies.

I, also thank the Commandant NDC, for inviting me for the convocation ceremony. May the National Defence College grow in strength and stature in the years to come and continue its service to the Nation.

Jai Hind!