New Delhi, August 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level meeting with government secretaries at his residence on Lok Kalyan Marg on Thursday. This marked the third such meeting, focusing on future agendas related to infrastructure, connectivity, security, foreign affairs, and good governance.
The Prime Minister emphasized that secretaries should not limit their focus to immediate challenges and statistics. Instead, they should adopt a long-term perspective, keeping the nation’s future in mind. He stated that a long-term vision is essential for guiding India’s development.
Highlighting the significant challenge of inter-departmental coordination, which he described as a problem of both organization and mindset, the Prime Minister urged officials to take ownership of their responsibilities and work with a sense of belonging.
Using the COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis in West Asia as examples, he noted that various ministries and departments had worked together more effectively during those times. He stressed that such coordination should become a permanent aspect of the government’s work culture.
Regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI), the Prime Minister advocated for its effective application while ensuring that human intervention and decision-making remain intact. He encouraged the integration of AI with human expertise to develop innovative solutions.
He pointed out that data is a vital national asset and a resource for the future. The government invests significantly in data collection, security, and management, but departmental silos and fragmented systems hinder its full potential. He called for improved data interoperability and better data sharing among departments.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the need for increased dialogue between government departments, universities, and youth to bring fresh ideas into policy-making. He noted that the participation of young people and educational institutions could lead to new and unconventional ideas.
In discussing the defense sector, he stressed the importance of promoting research and innovation, asserting that India’s defense industry should become more competitive globally. This requires strengthening defense education and human resource development.
On maritime issues, he mentioned that shipbuilding has already been granted infrastructure status and should now be reviewed for progress in mission mode. He urged a shift from port development to port-led development.
He also highlighted the necessity of ensuring better connectivity between manufacturing units and export-oriented industries, allowing India to fully leverage its maritime infrastructure for manufacturing and export capabilities.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Prime Minister reiterated the importance of a coordinated approach across the government, innovation, collective responsibility, and improved team spirit. He encouraged senior officials to engage in more informal dialogues with junior staff and to build stronger networks across various cadres and departments.
The meeting was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, secretaries of key ministries and departments, and senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office.
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