Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Sunday told the global community to beware of nuclear weapons and dual-use technologies falling into wrong hands.
Addressing around 500 dignitaries after naming the Light Combat Aircraft as 'Tejas' in Bangalore, Vajpayee said India had adopted a most responsible policy on missile, nuclear and dual-use technologies.
"It is as much of concern to us as it is to any other country that such technologies should not fall into wrong hands " the prime minister said.
The prime minister also regretted the mindset of technology denial regimes.
"In this era of globalisation, where free movement of goods, technologies and services has become a recurring mantra, our defence modernisation programme continues to achieve maximum technological autonomy.
"Our scientists and engineers have responded splendidly and developed world-class technologies of indigenous design. Our cutting-edge skills in information technology have added strength to this process," Vajpayee said.
The prime minister said a vigorous policy would be followed to boost aviation growth in military and civilian sectors.
"At the same time, we welcome collaboration with international partners in design, development and co-production. The joint development of BrahMos, the supersonic cruise missile, with a Russian company is a testimony to such international cooperation," Vajpayee said.
Tracing the milestones crossed by the Indian aerospace industry, the prime minister said the ongoing projects for Dhruv [advanced light helicopter], Saras [light transport aircraft] and Hansa [two-seater trainer] would have to be completed soon to meet the urgent requirements of the armed forces.
"A naval variant of the LCA has to be developed to respond to the needs of the Indian Navy's carrier-based operations. We have to look beyond the current requirements to develop technologies for the future generation aircraft," Vajpayee said.
The prime minister also praised Bangalore's contribution in diverse fields like aeronautics, information technology and biotechnology.
Apart from nature being kind to it, Bangalore had the sophistication of a cosmopolitan city, and was home to many traditions, he said.
"Though Bangalore has already been acknowledged as the cradle of aeronautics development of India over the decades, it went to became the space capital of the country and claimed the title of Silicon Valley of India."
Defence Minister George Fernandes, who also attended the function, said the Bangalore-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited should set up a separate division to accelerate the production of aircraft and choppers.
"The government and the defence ministry will extend their full support to HAL in achieving production targets so that security concerns of the country can be addressed without depending on other countries," Fernandes said.
