India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today delivered a forward-looking and comprehensive address at the convocation ceremony of the 80th Staff Course at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington. Stressing the importance of modernization, jointness, and preparedness, he urged the armed forces to be technologically empowered and resilient in facing evolving multi-domain threats in the current global security landscape. With 479 officers attending the 80th Staff Course, including 38 from 26 friendly foreign nations and three women officers, the convocation marked a vital step in shaping India’s future military leadership. The minister’s speech addressed both traditional and emerging dimensions of warfare and emphasized the need for India to evolve in response to global strategic shifts.

Embracing a New Age of Warfare

Rajnath Singh highlighted how modern warfare has transcended conventional battlefield boundaries, making domains like cyber, space, and information as critical as traditional ground and air combat. He emphasized, “Armed Forces must operate jointly and remain future-ready in today’s ever-evolving multi-domain environment where cyber, space, and information warfare are as potent as conventional operations.” He drew attention to the profound changes taking place in global geopolitics, driven by a renewed emphasis on national security, innovation, and rapid technological transformation. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to Singh, serves as a critical example of how warfare is being reshaped by new-age technology. Drones, in particular, have emerged as game-changers, causing extensive losses not through artillery or tanks, but through low-cost, high-impact aerial devices. “The majority of soldier and equipment losses in the Ukraine-Russia conflict have been attributed not to artillery or armor, but to drones. This is a transformative moment in warfare,” Singh explained, adding that developments in Low Earth Orbit capabilities are redefining surveillance, targeting, and communications.

Need for Indigenous Defence Capabilities and Hybrid Warfare Strategy

The Defence Minister strongly advocated for self-reliance in defence technology and manufacturing. “Building a resilient, indigenous, and future-ready defence technological ecosystem is a strategic necessity,” he said. He encouraged the development of cost-effective, cutting-edge technologies that can serve the complex needs of a modern armed force and emphasized that the armed forces should not just adapt to but also lead technological change. Singh also addressed the growing reality of grey zone and hybrid warfare, where states employ cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns, and economic coercion without engaging in open conflict. India, he noted, must adapt to this new reality while remaining vigilant along its physical borders, especially in the face of continued proxy threats and terrorism. He also flagged rising tensions in West Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, underlining the role of India’s military in addressing non-traditional threats such as climate change, pandemics, and natural disasters.

Towards a ‘Whole of Nation’ Approach

Rajnath Singh called for national security to be viewed through a comprehensive lens that involves all arms of national power — diplomatic, informational, military, economic, and technological. Referring to the Prime Minister’s MAHASAGAR initiative for enhanced cooperation in the Global South, he emphasized the value of international partnerships in ensuring regional and global stability. “Mutual interests and synergies will help us achieve our goal at sub-regional, regional, and even global levels,” he said, encouraging military diplomacy and regional engagement.

The Defence Minister concluded his speech by offering five guiding principles for the graduating officers: awareness, ability, adaptability, agility, and the role of an ambassador. He urged the officers to evolve into capable leaders, fully equipped to represent and lead India’s defence forces in a complex global environment. “You must acquire the ability and skill set required by future leaders and become ambassadors of your respective Armed Forces,” he advised.

In a gesture of solidarity and humanity, Rajnath Singh also expressed support for Myanmar and Thailand following a recent earthquake, stating, “India has always stood by its friends as a first responder in times of crisis.” Before the ceremony, the minister paid homage at the Madras Regiment War Memorial and met with military veterans. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan was also present, underlining the importance of the occasion. Rajnath Singh’s speech is a clear signal that India’s defence policy is transitioning towards a modernized, unified, and proactive approach to national and international security challenges. The emphasis on indigenous defence capability, technological edge, joint operations, and hybrid warfare marks a defining roadmap for India’s Armed Forces as the country marches toward its vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.