New Delhi, Nov 3: Describing self-reliance as a strategic necessity, Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan on Tuesday stressed the need to build a modern naval force capable of fighting, sustaining operations and adapting independently without external constraints or dependencies.
Addressing the Delhi Defence Dialogue organised by a think tank, Admiral Swaminathan said Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) did not mean isolation but enabled India to collaborate with friendly foreign countries from a position of strength rather than weakness.
He observed that rising geopolitical tensions across the world had reignited historical fault lines, with the use of military force increasingly emerging as an acceptable or even preferred instrument of national policy.
Highlighting the impact of conflicts on supply chains and military capabilities, the Navy chief called for developing a 21st-century naval force that could operate independently without relying on external agencies or other countries.
He cited developments in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict to underline the importance of strengthening domestic capabilities and reducing vulnerabilities arising from external dependencies.
Admiral Swaminathan also pointed to the growing role of non-state actors and the widespread availability of advanced technology, observing that technological advancements were accessible to both responsible and malicious actors.
Emphasising the need to strengthen India’s defence capabilities, he called for addressing critical gaps and increasing investment in research and development (R&D), particularly in specialised and emerging technologies.
He further stressed that innovations must be translated into operational military capabilities within a reasonable timeframe to ensure that technological progress delivers tangible results for the armed forces.
