National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Friday highlighted the critical need for technological self-reliance, stating that India will fully indigenise its communication systems to protect national security and ensure robust data protection.
Addressing the 62nd Convocation of IIT Madras, NSA Ajit Doval emphasized that the initiative is crucial to counter external threats and strengthen resilience across the nation’s critical infrastructure.
“We are going to completely indigenous our communication systems. It is necessary for data protection and security needs,” he said.
Highlighting the role of Artificial Intelligence, Doval called it a “game-changer” and stressed that India must rapidly adopt emerging technologies without depending on foreign sources.
“The Chinese took 12 years and invested $300 billion to develop 5G. We neither have that time nor the money. In just two and a half years, we have created an indigenous alternative. We owe this achievement to our private sector,” he noted.
Referring to India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ against terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), Doval revealed it marked a significant milestone in the use of indigenous military technology.
“From BrahMos to radars, we used entirely Indian content. We identified nine terror targets and missed none. The entire operation was completed in just 23 minutes,” he said, expressing pride in the country’s growing defence capabilities.
On a question of the foreign media reporting damage to Indian sites during the operation, the NSA said, “The entire operation took 23 minutes. You show me one photograph that shows any Indian damage.”
Referring to the reports, the NSA said, “They wrote things, but the images showed 13 air bases of Pakistan before and after May 10.”
In a more personal and philosophical note, the NSA invoked India’s civilisational journey, urging the younger generation to reflect on the struggles of their ancestors.
“You belong to a country and a civilisation which has been beleaguered, bled, and dishonoured for a thousand years. Our ancestors endured humiliation, deprivation, and hardship to keep this civilisation and the idea of the nation alive,” he said.
“Nation is different from the State. India, as a nation, has existed for millennia. The State may be relatively new. Twenty-two years from now, we will mark 100 years of independence.”
“You will be in the prime of your career then. The responsibility to realise the vision of a fully sovereign, self-reliant India lies with you,” he said.