India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said the government will “completely indigenise” the nation’s communication networks to protect data and bolster national security, underscoring that reliance on foreign suppliers is no longer tenable. Speaking at the 62nd convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras in Chennai on Friday, Doval called artificial intelligence a “game-changer” and urged rapid adoption of emerging technologies. Contrasting India’s approach with China’s, Doval noted that Beijing spent about $300 billion and 12 years to develop 5G infrastructure, while India has fashioned an indigenous alternative in roughly two-and-a-half years with significant support from the domestic private sector. He said the country’s technology needs will be vast and must be met quickly through local innovation. Doval also cited “Operation Sindoor,” an air strike on nine terrorist targets inside Pakistan, as evidence of the growing capability of home-grown defence systems. The operation, executed in 23 minutes using Indian-made assets such as BrahMos missiles and locally built radars, achieved all objectives without damage on the Indian side, he said. The NSA argued that expanding self-reliance across critical technologies is essential as India approaches the centenary of its independence.