On 19 May 2026, General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army Staff addressed a seminar titled “Security to Prosperity: Smart Power for Sustained National Growth”. The event was held at the Manekshaw Centre and organised by the Centre for Land Warfare Studies.
Key Developments
- Security is now a precondition for economic prosperity, not a cost to be borne.
- India must integrate military strength, economic resilience, technology and diplomacy into a single national strategy.
- Dependence on foreign critical minerals and digital infrastructure is a strategic vulnerability.
- Building a self‑reliant defence industrial base is crucial for both security and growth.
- Rapid scaling of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, cyber, quantum, autonomous platforms and advanced materials is required.
Important Facts
The Army Chief warned that nations lacking domestic production of critical technologies risk losing strategic autonomy. He cited recent global conflicts that disrupted trade routes and showed how modern warfare now pressures industrial output, governance and innovation ecosystems.
He emphasized the need for indigenous capability that is not only self‑sufficient but also globally competitive. Defence manufacturing, he argued, can become a driver of exports, technology transfer and job creation.
Relevance for UPSC
Understanding the link between security and economic policy is vital for GS3 (Economy) and GS2 (Polity). The discussion touches on resource security (critical minerals), defence procurement, public‑private partnership in technology, and India’s strategic autonomy – all frequent topics in the UPSC syllabus. Aspirants should note how the government’s “smart power” approach blends hard power (military) with soft power (diplomacy) to achieve sustainable growth.
Way Forward
- Form a coordinated mechanism among the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and academia to fast‑track technology transfer.
- Invest in domestic production of critical minerals and advanced materials to reduce import dependence.
- Promote export‑oriented defence manufacturing through incentives and quality standards.
- Strengthen cyber and AI research labs in partnership with private sector and universities.
- Maintain an open but resilient foreign policy that safeguards national interests while engaging globally.