Shillong (Meghalaya), June 20: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told air warriors at Eastern Air Command Saturday that hybrid threats, cyber-attacks, drones, and supply chain risks demand new thinking, saying old-school preparedness alone will not hold up in today’s uncertain world order.
Speaking at the Command HQ in Shillong, he called for technological agility, strategic foresight, and institutional innovation to keep India battle-ready. Information warfare and logistics resilience, he said, are now as critical as firepower.
Singh linked national security to self-reliance, stating that Aatmanirbharta is the only way to protect India on its own terms. He credited Operation Sindoor as proof, saying it showed terrorists and their handlers that India will not compromise on security or sovereignty.
He praised Eastern Air Command as a key pillar on the eastern frontier. From high-altitude ops to disaster relief and border management, the Command has shown professionalism and courage in every role, he said.
The minister told soldiers that citizens sleep safe because of their sacrifice in harsh conditions. The nation, he said, will remain indebted to their service.
Calling the Northeast vital to India’s Act East Policy, Singh said the region is no longer just a border. As India’s global role grows, the strategic weight of the Northeast grows with it.
He also flagged the rising role of women in the forces as a sign of cultural strength, saying it shows India can modernize without losing its core values.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia attended the interaction. Singh will join troops at Eastern Air Command for International Day of Yoga on June 21.
