Asserting that India as a nation is constantly pursuing the development of friendly relations with countries in all spheres, President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday said that security is an important aspect of international cooperation.
"It, therefore, transcends the traditional view that the armed forces of a nation are only concerned with the territorial integrity of a nation and where conflict is involved. Its role today encompasses economic, energy, food, health, environment amongst many others," he said.
President Mukherjee said the prestige and power of a nation is also significantly influenced by its military capabilities that have to be effective in countering security challenges.
"Today, we as a nation are faced with several challenges. They include the scourge of international terrorism. The problem has been compounded by non-state actors who are often sponsored, financed and armed by states. Not only our armed forces, but those of other peace loving nations too should brace themselves to meet this challenge," President Mukherjee said.
"In order to counter the complex security threats, our defence forces should be equipped with modern and sophisticated weapons," he added.
President Mukherjee said it is extremely unfortunate that the Indian forces are heavily dependent on imported wares.
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"Today the dependency is around 70 percent in regard to our capital requirement. But this high level of dependency is fraught with danger for our armed forces. The technology denial regimes, and the availability of critical spares and support at crucial moments can pose serious challenges to our security forces. This level of dependency has to reduce substantially," President Mukherjee said.
"A well calibrated strategy with primary focus on the development of indigenous military industrial complex should be implemented sooner than later. In such instances, the Cabinet Committee on Security would take decision on a case-to-case basis," he added.
President Mukherjee said that India has recently enhanced the FDI ceiling in defence from 26 to 49 percent.
"This ceiling would not be an impediment where state-of-the-art technology is involved. This measure is expected to strengthen the indigenous defence industry," he added.
President Mukherjee said that national security demands a multi-dimensional, and a systematic and holistic approach.
"It calls for intense research across a wide spectrum of subjects. At the same time, the various subjects should not be studied in isolation. The emphasis should be on analysis maintaining cross linkages," he added.
President Mukherjee, who was addressing the officers of the 54th NDC course of National Defence College who called on him at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, said that he has been informed that six streams comprise the curricula of the National Defence College course.
"The Socio-Political Study is intended to help you comprehend the main features of the Indian society and polity and to assess issues which have a bearing on national security. The Economy, Science and Technology Studies have been intended to introduce you to the principles and practices that shape economic trends and the influence of science and technology in attaining self-reliance primarily in fields that have a bearing on security," said President Mukherjee.
"The Studies on International Security Environment, Global Issues and India's Strategic Neighborhood focuses on the international security environment as also its impact on India's foreign policy. The Study on Strategies and Structures for National Security is a synthesis of all that you have learned and experienced during this course," he added.
President Mukherjee further said the role of the armed forces has expanded with the revolution in military affairs and globalization.
"It is clear that future conflicts in the complex defence and security ecosystem will require a more integrated multi-state and multi-agency approach. Preparing military leaders, police officers and civil servants to deal with the security environment of the future will necessarily have to be addressed in a holistic and comprehensive manner," said President Mukherjee.
"I am confident that this prestigious Course would enable you to take informed and reasoned decisions regarding security issues.