Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the importance of vigilance for the armed forces due to rising global and regional challenges during the inaugural Joint Commanders’ Conference in Lucknow on Thursday. Singh highlighted the ongoing conflicts in Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas, as well as the situation in Bangladesh, as key areas of concern.

Under the theme of the conference, ‘Sashakt aur Surakshit Bharat: Transforming the Armed Forces,’ Singh underscored India's commitment to peace while stressing the necessity for the military to be prepared for potential conflicts to maintain stability.

He urged the armed forces to develop a joint military vision that anticipates future threats and to respond swiftly and effectively to any provocations. Singh noted that despite global instability, India is currently experiencing a period of relative peace and development. He called for continued vigilance to preserve this peace and ensure robust national security.

Singh also addressed the need for integrating both traditional and modern warfare equipment into the military's arsenal and emphasized the importance of incorporating advanced technologies, including data analytics and artificial intelligence, to enhance operational effectiveness.

The conference, which brought together top military leaders from across the country, focused on building future capabilities, organizational structures for integrated responses, and promoting efficiency, transparency, and accountability in both peace and wartime operations. Discussions covered a wide range of contemporary issues, including theaterisation, indigenisation, and advancements in robotics and autonomous weapon systems.

Singh reaffirmed the government's dedication to achieving self-reliance in defense by equipping the armed forces with state-of-the-art indigenous weapons and technologies.