The Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutes to boost India’s defense capabilities during the STRIDE 2025 seminar. He highlighted the importance of projecting hard power alongside soft power amid rising global protectionism and nationalistic trends, particularly after Operation Sindoor, which revealed areas for improvement in India’s defense preparedness. Key gaps identified include electronic warfare and drone capabilities. Singh urged the private sector to invest in R&D, aligning with the government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, while reassuring that ongoing trade tensions with the US are not affecting defense collaboration or project timelines.