Pointing out that India’s digital infrastructure is facing “threats”, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said the country needed “tech-savvy forces” that could defend and protect its “digital world”.
“It is important for us to recognise the newer challenges which are facing the country’s security. Today’s technology does not recognise borders. Technology which is available to us to increase productivity, is being misused by some vested interests or dark forces,” said Sitharaman while addressing the 4th convocation ceremony of the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
“The digital public infrastructure which we have created for ourselves is also facing a threat. People who misuse their skills in the digital world can even threaten many of our installations, digital payment areas, and premier institutions like stock markets, banks, payment institutions or portals offering e-marketing services…Because of the strength of our digital access, you have people targeting them. As much as we need forces to take care of our borders, we need forces within the country who are tech savvy and conscious of the threats before us and protect the digital world which is a big catalyst for our economy to grow leaps and bounds,” she added.
Pointing out that many developed countries do not have the digital prowess that India has seen in the last 10 years, the finance minister said, “India is growing in the eyes of our competitors, and It is also growing in the eyes of those people who see this kind of growth from an emerging democracy as something which is astonishing. While there can be many well wishers, there are also people who feel that this should not be entertained and can challenge us.”
Stating that India is now becoming “ a hub for defence production”, Sitharaman said that the country has graduated from being the second largest arms importer between 2015-19 to be among the top 25 arms exporters. “Over 100 companies are exporting products like Brahmos missile, Pinaka rocket systems and Dornier aircraft. India has achieved the highest growth in indigenous defence production. In value terms we have reached a record high of ₹1.27 lakh crore in 2023-24. This is a 2.7 fold increase over 2014-15. Defence exports also surged to an all time high reaching ₹21,083 crore in 2023-24 from ₹686 crore 2013-14. So you see a 30 fold increase in defence exports,” she added. Sitharaman also said India has doubled its port capacity in the last decade.