Highlighting the evolving nature of maritime security, the defence minister said challenges could arise not only from conventional military activities but also from non-traditional threats such as piracy, trafficking, illegal fishing, cyber-attacks and natural disasters.
He underscored the need for maritime security to evolve with the changing maritime domain.
“Artificial intelligence is changing the way data is processed, while autonomous systems are expanding the possibilities of surveillance & operations.”
“New sensors are improving our ability to observe the oceans. Advances in materials, biotechnology and data analytics are opening new avenues for research and application,” he said.
Singh said these developments have enormous implications for maritime security and economic activity.
“But technology, by itself, is not the answer. The more important question is how we use technology to address real challenges,” he said.
Singh also underlined that technology must not become another source of inequality among nations as the Indo-Pacific includes countries with different levels of technological and economic capability.
“Some possess advanced research infrastructure. Others are still developing the institutional and human resources required to participate fully in this transformation. If technological progress benefits only a limited number of countries, we will not achieve the collective resilience that our region requires,” he said.
The defence minister called for promoting cooperation in research, education, innovation and capacity building, stating that a stronger scientific capability in one country can contribute to the security and prosperity of the entire region.
Terming it particularly important for smaller maritime nations and developing countries, he said the most useful technology is not necessarily the most expensive or sophisticated; it is the one that solves a real problem.
(With inputs from PTI)