- Operation Sindoor Reflects the Strength of New India : “The Path to Peace Is Through Strength”
- Says New India Responds with Precision and Determination
- Highlights Jointness, AI and Self-Reliance at Kalam & Kavach 3.0
By Sangeeta Saxena
New Delhi. 14 May 2026. Calling for a technologically advanced, self-reliant and secure India, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth inaugurated Kalam & Kavach 3.0 with a powerful address centred on national security, innovation, jointness and indigenous defence capability. Addressing military leaders, diplomats, strategic experts, industry representatives and young innovators, Seth highlighted how the nature of warfare is rapidly evolving beyond traditional battlefields into cyber, information and emerging technology domains.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “JAI” framework — Jointness, Atmanirbharta and Innovation — the Minister stressed that India’s future security architecture would depend on integrated military capability, technological advancement, indigenous manufacturing and a strong innovation ecosystem powered by startups and youth. He also linked India’s evolving defence preparedness with the recent success of Operation Sindoor, describing it as a defining symbol of a “New India” that responds decisively to threats while remaining committed to peace and global stability.
Opening his inaugural address, MoS Defence Sanjay Seth underlined the rapidly changing character of warfare and the growing importance of strategic preparedness. “Today’s world is changing rapidly. The nature of warfare is evolving. Threats are no longer confined to physical borders. They now extend into cyberspace, information networks and emerging technologies,” he said. “In such an environment, security demands not only preparedness, but also foresight.”
Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “JAI” doctrine, Seth said the concept of Jointness, Atmanirbharta and Innovation would define India’s defence future. “That is why the idea of JAI, given by our beloved Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji during the Commanders’ Conference — Jointness, Atmanirbharta and Innovation — is so important for India’s future,” he stated. Referring to Operation Sindoor, the Minister described the operation as a demonstration of India’s changing strategic posture.“Operation Sindoor was not some small act of revenge,” he said. “This is New India. This New India neither provokes unnecessarily, nor retreats, nor fears anyone.”
Quoting Guru Tegh Bahadur’s philosophy referenced earlier by the President of India in Parliament, Seth said India believes in peace but is fully capable of defending itself. “We do not threaten anyone, but no one can intimidate us either,” he remarked. “Prime Minister Modi has clearly said that while this is not an era of war, it also cannot be an era of terrorism.”
Linking the spirit of the dialogue to former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Seth explained the symbolism of Kalam & Kavach. “Through the pen comes innovation, new technology and new ideas, while the shield represents jointness and national security,” he said. “The role of warfare has changed, and through innovation, space technologies and modern systems, India is moving forward rapidly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.”
The Minister also highlighted India’s growing self-reliance in defence production and exports.“A decade ago, India’s defence exports were only ₹686 crore. Today, they have risen to ₹38,424 crore, and India is exporting defence products to nearly 100 countries,” he said. “This is the New India.” He added that India’s defence production had reached ₹1.54 lakh crore and outlined the government’s target of taking it to ₹3 lakh crore by 2029. He further noted that over 16,000 MSMEs are now linked to India’s defence sector.
Speaking about defence innovation and startups, the Minister praised initiatives such as iDEX and Aditi for supporting young innovators and emerging technologies. “Through iDEX, we provide financial assistance of up to ₹1.5 crore, and through Aditi, support can go up to ₹25 crore for promising prototypes,” he said. “Our youth and startups are doing extraordinary work.”
He also emphasised the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in future warfare and economic growth. “AI is the need of the present era,” RRM stated. “Experts say that by 2030, AI could contribute nearly ₹48 lakh crore to the economy.”
Addressing international delegates present at the forum, Seth reiterated India’s commitment to cooperation and strategic partnerships.“India firmly believes that global security and progress are strengthened through cooperation, trust and shared innovation,” he said while welcoming diplomats from Italy and Armenia. The Minister further linked India’s long-term development goals with defence preparedness.
“As India moves towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, our path is clear,” he said. “A developed India must also be a secure India, and a secure India must be technologically advanced, strategically confident and self-reliant in defence capabilities.”
In one of the most emotionally charged segments of his speech, RRM reflected on India’s civilisational legacy, invoking references from the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna, Chanakya, Ashoka, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Rani Lakshmibai to emphasise India’s historic resilience and strategic wisdom.“We are advocates of peace, but not symbols of weakness,” he declared. “Whenever this land has been challenged, India has not only fought wars but changed the direction of history.” Referring once again to Operation Sindoor, he said the operation reflected India’s technological and military evolution. “The 88 hours of intense fire were not merely a military operation. It was the fire of India’s collective consciousness,” he said. “Technology became courage. Jointness became national strength.”
He stressed that future warfare would increasingly unfold in cyber and space domains.“War is no longer confined to the borders. It now exists in the invisible corridors of cyber and in the infinite heights of space,” Seth remarked.
Concluding his address, the Minister placed strong faith in India’s youth and innovation ecosystem. “Every youth of India is now not just the future, but the new sun of national strength,” he said. “Every youth will become a shield. Every dream will become the foundation of Viksit Bharat 2047.” In his final remarks, he delivered a powerful message of national resilience, “India does not die. India does not stop. India does not give up. India is infinite. India is invincible. India is great.”
MoS Defence Sanjay Seth’s inaugural address at Kalam & Kavach 3.0 reflected the broader strategic
transformation underway in India’s defence and security ecosystem. Combining themes of jointness, technological innovation, Atmanirbharta and civilisational confidence, his speech highlighted how India is preparing for a future defined by multi-domain warfare, AI, cyber operations and indigenous capability development.
The Minister’s repeated emphasis on Operation Sindoor, strategic self-reliance and the role of startups, MSMEs and youth innovation underscored the government’s effort to build a technologically advanced and globally competitive defence ecosystem. His remarks also reinforced India’s commitment to balancing peace and strategic strength while advancing toward the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
At Kalam & Kavach 3.0, RRMs address set the tone for discussions focused on future warfare, innovation-driven defence transformation and India’s emergence as a confident and self-reliant strategic power.
