Today we are operating in a very complex and very volatile environment, Gen Bipin Rawat said.
New Delhi:
The Indian armed forces are operating in a very complex and uncertain environment and must continue to improve capabilities for peace in the region, as India’s adversaries can take advantage if its military power is not strong, the Chief of Staff said on Tuesday. of Defense, General Bipin Rawat. .
He also said that India wants to share its military capabilities with friendly countries in the neighborhood and the extended neighborhood, as well as with those who need its support.
The Chief of Defense Staff spoke at the opening session of the fifth annual conclave of Bharatshakti.in, a portal on military and defense issues.
“Today we are operating in a very complex, uncertain and very volatile environment. There are small and large battles in almost every region of the world. Therefore, we all need strong armed forces if we are to defend ourselves, defend our nation, defend the integrity of our nation and the safety of our people, “said Gen Bipin Rawat.
“But then we are saying that the armed forces must prepare for war? No. The armed forces must develop capabilities to achieve peace in the region. If we do not have strong armed forces, the adversary will take advantage of us,” he said. said.
General Bipin Rawat’s comments came amid a more than six-month-long border clash between India and China in eastern Ladakh that has significantly strained their ties. The two sides held a series of diplomatic and military talks to resolve the dispute. However, no concrete progress has been made to end the confrontation.
In a message, which was read at the conclave, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cited various reform initiatives implemented by the government in the defense sector to produce modern equipment and take advantage of new technology, as well as to instill better synergy between forces. armed.
“We are moving forward with the collective determination of the nation to build a modern and self-sufficient India. Our determination is reflected in a spirit of self-confidence unprecedented in the defense sector today,” Prime Minister Modi said.
The prime minister said that a self-sufficient India is a “win-win resolution” for all concerned, as this vision is for world peace and a resilient global economy.
“From the public and private sectors to foreign partners, all would draw strength from India’s vibrant strategic ecosystem,” he said.
In his speech, General Bipin Rawat also spoke about the challenges faced by armed forces operating in harsh and challenging environments, including in jungles, deserts, and terrain ranging from 6,000 to 6,500 meters in altitude.
“Our navy operates in the Indo-Pacific, an area that is witnessing the highest concentration of white shipping. They have to develop technologies not only to operate on the surface but also below the surface of the ocean in an environment that is becoming increasingly complex, “said the Chief of Defense Staff.
He said that the Indian armed forces need capabilities that perhaps no other armed force in the world will need due to the varied challenges and environment. Therefore, Gen Rawat said that the type of technology that India is developing and the weapons systems that can find their way into the Indian inventory will be second to none.
“We do not hesitate to invite foreign collaborators who can support our industry, take them by the hand and move forward … We also want to share the capabilities with the other armed forces around the world, particularly in the neighborhood and the extended neighborhood.” Gen Bipin Rawat said.
“We are ready to support those who need our support, especially those nations that are also going through difficult times and looking for good weapons systems,” he said in the presence of defense officials from several foreign countries.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, said the threat from India’s adversaries is “deep and long-term.”
.
