'Modernization of armed forces is the need of the hour', Air Force Chief VR Chaudhary said a big thing

Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary, addressed a capstone seminar on Tuesday jointly organized by the Indian Air Force, College of Air Warfare, and Center for Air Power Studies. During this program, he appealed to increase the speed of modernization being done in India's armed forces. During this, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhary also explained India's strategic culture and its relevance in solving current security challenges.

Addressing the Air Force Auditorium in Subroto Park, New Delhi, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary pointed out that our strategic culture is shaped by historical experiences and the constantly changing geopolitical environment. The implication strongly focuses on strategic autonomy, caution, and territorial integrity. He also talked about the multidimensional challenges facing India today since it has to move on not only border disputes and terrorism but also the dimensions of cyber threats and regional instability.

He added that the modernization of armed forces, promotion of strategic partnerships, indigenous defense production, and an integrated approach to security were essential needs in the Indian context. This is when India should safely invest in modernizing her forces to secure national interests against turbulent times and simultaneously work on strengthening strategic partnerships and adopting an integrated approach towards both internal and external security.

He said that various opinions on the strategic heritage of India would be brought to the fore, and Euro thinkers would emphasize that the practice of statecraft in India has been witnessed throughout history. At the same time, epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata are proof of grand strategic ideas. Emphasizing that effective strategic planning is not an end, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said, "There is a strong argument that many of the key practices of modern times have survived and flourished without an effective grand strategy." While pondering the nation's perpetual strategic practices, he stated, "Whether India has a strategic culture or not, as a matter of view, our realpolitik, statecraft, and diplomacy have always been part of our historical, domestic, and contemporary geopolitics."

Drawing inspiration from some of the recent contributions of India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari mentioned that Hon'ble External Affairs Minister Jaishankar had provided a fresh viewpoint on many contemporary complex global issues with his unique prism of epic drama while presenting his perspective in his recently launched book, 'Why India Matters.' The seminar was attended by several luminaries who deliberated upon new approaches to international relations in the background of India's rich cultural-strategic heritage.