India emerging as global leader in different aspects of technology: PM
Extending greetings on National Technology Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday commemorated the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests and reaffirmed India’s commitment to empowering future generations through science and research.
The PM said, “Best wishes on National Technology Day! This is a day to express pride and gratitude to our scientists and remember the 1998 Pokhran tests. They were a landmark in our nation’s growth journey, especially in our pursuit of self-reliance.”
He noted that India is emerging as a global leader in several technological domains, including space, artificial intelligence, digital innovation and green technology. “We reaffirm our commitment to empowering future generations through science and research. May technology uplift humanity, secure our nation and drive futuristic growth,” he said.
Speaking at the National Technology Day celebrations, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said modern warfare is now entirely technology-driven, and India’s technological supremacy has been evident over the past few days.
“Whatever you have seen is a creation of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. India had ample opportunity recently to demonstrate its scientific prowess to the world. Today, armed conflicts are driven by technology, and what we’ve witnessed is proof of India’s growing dominance across scientific and defence domains,” Singh said, referring to a Pakistani minister’s recent remark that “the India of today is not the India of the past.”
He stressed that India must further strengthen its indigenous capabilities, citing the country’s need to overcome geopolitical constraints. Since 2014, Singh said indigenisation has been a top priority under PM Modi’s leadership, with drones now playing a central role in India’s evolving defence ecosystem.
Dr Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman of the Mission Governing Board, National Quantum Mission, warned that future wars would not be fought with traditional weapons, but with technology and intellect.
“Wars will be fought with minds, not just arms. A US senator once said wars will be fought with semiconductors. So far, technology denials have come from the US, and similar restrictions are being considered by European countries. China has already restricted access to rare earth materials, and there have been delays in the supply of manpower and equipment. The US and Europe have already engaged in technology denials. China has restricted rare earth materials and delayed manpower and equipment transfers. This is a different kind of war — one where India’s technological rise will be resisted by superpowers that prefer us to remain consumers,” Chowdhry said.
He urged India to reduce its dependence on US technologies and trade with China. Referring to China’s close ties with Pakistan, he pointed out that China has been providing advanced technologies to its neighbour.
“We need to move fast. The pace of technological change today is unlike anything we’ve seen before. In a unipolar world, our response to technology must be agile and strategic. The escalating tensions between the US and China are making things more complicated, but India has key advantages —especially its talent pool. Science is the key to India’s future,” he said.
India