NSA emphasizes border security amid India's economic growth projections as world's 3rd top economy
May 24, 2024
NEW DELHI: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Friday emphasized the necessity of strong border security in light of India's projected growth to a USD 10 trillion economy and becoming the world's third-largest economy within the next decade, with a particular focus on technological advancements.
With projections placing India's economic growth in the next decade as the world's top third economy, Doval highlighted the essential role of technological advancements in bolstering national security.
"In the next 10 years, we will be a USD 10 trillion economy, a major achievement. We will achieve the position of the world's third-largest economy. It will also have the world's largest workforce...It will also be a major global surprising hub...," Doval said while speaking at the 21st BSF Investiture Ceremony and delivering Rustamji Memorial Lecture in Delhi.
Doval emphasized that a robust border infrastructure is vital for sustaining and protecting India's expanding economic interests.
He pointed out that as India scales new economic heights, the integration of cutting-edge technology in security frameworks will be critical to mitigate emerging threats and challenges.
Doval said we are living in a changing time and India is changing very fast.
He said that India's economic progress would be much faster if we had a more secure border.
Enforcing the future, Doval said the responsibility is on the border security force.
"India is building its capabilities and indigenizing its entire dependency on military weapon and equipment as well as other sectors...India's defence forces, technological achievements, and its comprehensive national powers will be extremely high...But, we keep on calculating our comprehensive national power," said Doval.
Pointing that "a number of countries have gone under degradation because of instability", Doval warned, "Pakistan broken into two because it could not manage its internal security forces. The borders are important and the Border Security Force has big responsibility."
On the occasion, the NSA said the BSF not only guards borders but also they are also given the responsibility of internal security.
He also highlighted the Narendra Modi government's focus on border security in the last 10 years.
"The last 10 years have been the years in which the government has paid very high attention towards security and management of our borders. There is no Diwali in which our Prime Minister was not with our soldiers. He personally took interest to ensure that all the governors of 16 border states should visit the border.
He also directed the Cabinet Ministers to conduct a survey of 12,000 border villages. He is the political leader on the top who understands the gravity and the importance of the borders."
Doval further said that commendable work has been done by the Ministry of Home Affairs for the border development in terms of providing better equipment and better coordination among other things.
Besides, the NSA stressed the need for technological upgradation.
"There was a series of missile attacks on Israel from Iran. Out of 1500 missiles, 99 per cent of missiles were stopped. It is only 2-3 that could hit. That was the strength of technology...."
He further said that infrastructure development at specific theatres is required. Apart from that, he emphasised on tactical intelligence.
Addressing the dynamic interplay between economic growth and national security,
Doval's remarks came at a time when India's strategic initiatives and defense policies are increasingly focused on leveraging technology to safeguard its borders. This emphasis on security infrastructure is seen as a foundational element supporting the nation's trajectory towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.
