New Delhi, March 15 (IANS). Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday said India is entering a new phase of technology-led national development, where sectors such as space, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence and advanced scientific research will play a decisive role in shaping India’s future security posture and national development.
“The nature of warfare is changing rapidly and the impact of technology in warfare is increasing. Traditional hand-to-hand combat is gradually diminishing and advanced technologies are playing a decisive role in strategic preparedness and national security,” the Union Minister said during an informal discussion session at the Alternate Media Conference “Unstoppable India 2026” held in the national capital.
Referring to the recent reforms in the space sector, Dr Jitendra Singh said that opening up this sector to private participation and startups has created a vibrant ecosystem of innovation in the country. He said that India today has a rapidly growing space startup ecosystem and the country’s space economy is expected to grow significantly in the coming years due to the growing collaboration between industry, research institutes and young innovators.
The Union Minister said that there is no dearth of scientific talent in India and the government is working towards creating a conducive environment to promote innovation right from the initial stage.
He mentioned the initiatives taken at school and university levels to encourage students to pursue careers in science and technology and said programs like Vigyan Jyoti and other guidance initiatives are helping young students, especially girls, explore opportunities in the field of research and innovation.
Speaking on the importance of energy security in the era of digital transformation, Dr Jitendra Singh said that future technologies like artificial intelligence and large data centers require uninterrupted and reliable power supply and nuclear energy will play an important role in these.
He said nuclear energy provides clean and reliable energy source and will be an important component of India’s long-term energy strategy.
–IANS
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