January 16, 2025
India needs tech-savvy forces to protect its digital infrastructure, vital for economic growth, from potential misuse of technology
India’s digital public infrastructure is threatened by attacks targeting sectors such as banking, stock markets, payments, and e-commerce platforms
The FM highlighted India's shift from the world’s second-largest arms importer to a top-25 defence exporter
Defence exports surged to INR 21,083 crore in 2023–24, marking a 30-fold increase over the last decade
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said at the fourth convocation of Rashtriya Raksha University in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, that India must develop technologically adept security forces to address emerging threats to its digital infrastructure, which has become a key driver of economic growth.
“Technology transcends borders, and while it enhances productivity, it is also vulnerable to misuse by vested interests and dark forces,” Sitharaman remarked. She stressed that India’s digital public infrastructure—spanning financial services, online marketplaces, and other platforms—requires robust protection to maintain its integrity and resilience.
Acknowledging India’s rapid rise as a digital powerhouse, Sitharaman observed that many developed nations lag behind India’s digital transformation over the past decade. “India’s growth has captivated competitors and well-wishers alike, but it also invites challenges from those who view such progress as a threat,” she noted.
The FM emphasised that securing digital frontiers is as critical as protecting physical borders. “We need forces within the country that are tech-savvy and aware of the digital threats we face,” she added.
Sitharaman also highlighted India’s remarkable progress in defence production and exports. Defence production reached a record INR 1.27 trillion in 2023–24, a 2.7-fold increase compared to 2014–15. Defence exports achieved an all-time high of INR 21,083 crore in 2023–24, representing a 30-fold surge from INR 686 crore in 2013–14.
India’s transformation from the world’s second-largest arms importer to one of the top 25 defence exporters underscores its commitment to self-reliance and global competitiveness in defence technology. Sitharaman’s address highlighted the dual need for advanced physical and digital defence capabilities to secure India’s future as a global economic and technological leader.
Source: Business Standard