Arunachal Pradesh Governor KT Parnaik has said that India needs to strengthen its capabilities in cyber defence, satellite surveillance, electronic warfare and artificial intelligence-based systems to deal with modern security challenges.He was speaking at a two-day seminar on China held at a military station in Likabali in Lower Siang district.The governor said that China’s armed forces focus on a strong and centralised command system. He explained that their system ensures better coordination between different wings of the military through network-based operations and joint theatre commands. According to him, this allows China to carry out operations across multiple domains in a coordinated way.Parnaik said this shows the need for India to better understand the changing nature of security and warfare. He added that modern conflicts are no longer limited to traditional battlefields and now include areas like cyber space and information systems.
He pointed out that China is investing heavily in cyber capabilities and considers cyberspace as an important area for both defence and offensive operations. He said China also gives importance to electronic warfare, including surveillance, jamming and other measures to disrupt enemy communication while protecting its own systems.The governor also highlighted the rapid development of advanced technologies by China. He said the Chinese armed forces are working on autonomous systems, unmanned platforms and artificial intelligence to improve decision-making, speed and overall effectiveness in military operations.Talking about India’s preparedness, Parnaik said there is a need to further strengthen a unified command system under the Chief of Defence Staff. He stressed the importance of fully integrated theatre commands for quicker decision-making and better coordination during any situation.
He also said that improving logistics and infrastructure along the Himalayan border is necessary to ensure faster movement of troops and resources when required.The governor underlined the role of institutions like the Defence Cyber Agency and the Defence Space Agency. He said strengthening these bodies will help protect communication systems, counter threats and maintain control over information networks.
