Young Leaders Forum Spotlights Youth's Role in Shaping India's Defence and Security Future
The Young Leaders Forum (YLF) opened with a series of engaging sessions aimed at motivating India's youth to engage actively in shaping the country's defense and security frameworks. The conversations focused on the shifting aspects of national security and the increasing importance of innovation, technology, and civic involvement in enhancing India's strategic future.
Session I: Youth-Driven National Security
The first session, titled “The Future of Defence: Youth at the Heart of National Security,” initiated a dynamic dialogue and collaboration. Participants examined the ways in which Indian youth can redefine national security in the 21st century. Speakers stressed the critical role of innovation, start-ups, and entrepreneurship in strengthening the nation’s defense ecosystem, noting that the spirit, creativity, and determination of young Indians are crucial for building a resilient and future-ready nation.
Session II: Youth Leadership in Defence Strategy
The subsequent session focused on Youth Leadership in Defence Strategy and the larger role young citizens play in supporting the country’s security on both conventional and grey-zone fronts. Discussions highlighted that modern warfare has expanded beyond physical terrains into areas of information, technology, and civic responsibility. Participants agreed that India’s youth need to be informed, empowered, and proactive to enhance the nation’s strategic stance.
Session III: The Evolving Frontiers of Warfare
The final session delved into the modern battlefronts of cyberspace, outer space, and the information domain, emphasizing how technology and youth-led innovation are altering the nature of conflict. Panel discussions on Cybersecurity, Space as a Pivot for Multi-Domain Operations, and Social Media as a Tool for National Security highlighted the pressing need to cultivate India’s digital warriors of tomorrow—coders, engineers, data analysts, and creators who will play pivotal roles in defending the digital frontlines.
The Young Leaders Forum reinforced the notion that today’s youth are the cornerstone of India’s secure and self-reliant future, reflecting a vision of a technologically advanced, resilient, and future-oriented defense ecosystem.
