New Delhi: Expressing serious concern over “deliberate weaponization of dangerous pathogens”, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Thursday stressed the need for building broad national capabilities and bio-defence, bio-security and bio-security.
“The deliberate weaponization of dangerous pathogens is a serious concern. This has increased the need for building broad national capabilities and bio-defence, bio-security and bio-security,” said Doval, speaking on ‘National Security Preparedness in the Age of Disasters and Epidemics’ at the Pune Dialogue on National Security (PDNS). Said happened. ) 2021 organized by Pune International Centre.
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The National Security Advisor also expressed concern over the issue of climate change.
Stating that disasters and pandemics are borderless threats that cannot be tackled alone, he said there is a need to develop strategies to maximize our gains and minimize losses.
Doval said the most enduring message of the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change is that only the well-being of all will ensure the survival of all, PTI reported.
The National Security Advisor said the pandemic has further reinforced the need to predict threats and that while biological research has legitimate scientific objectives, its dual-use application can be misused.
Doval said climate change is another threat, which multiplies with unpredictable consequences.
Underlining “climate change can intensify instability and lead to large-scale population displacement”, he said: “It affects the availability of resources, which are becoming increasingly scarce and competitiveness.” can become a source of conflict in comparison.”
“By 2030, 600 million people in India are expected to live in urban areas. Migration from low-lying coastal areas in South Asia due to climate change could add to the already strained urban infrastructure,” Doval said.
Talking about national security and environment, the National Security Advisor said that “there is a need to reinvent and innovate itself as the fourth industrial revolution is increasingly brimming with technologies such as AI, autonomous and unmanned systems and digital infrastructure.” Industrial development is taking place.”
Doval said that climate change, environmental degradation and pollution are the realities that threaten existence.
Emphasizing that India is committed to meeting its climate goals and has already taken several measures, the National Security Advisor said the important climate change summit is scheduled to be held in Glasgow in early November.
“Harmony with nature has been the cornerstone of Indian civilization. Conservation of the environment is a guiding principle of the development policies of the present government while achieving its ambitious goals.
Doval further said that per capita greenhouse emissions of a country with a population of 1,300 million are 2.47 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
He said that several measures are being taken to de-carbonize India’s economy.
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