India's Military Capability and Challenges
India's recent military success against Pakistan was largely due to a robust air defence system and precision strikes, facilitated by indigenous technology. Key elements of this success include:
- Akash Missile System: A short-range surface-to-air missile on mobile platforms that protected installations and cities.
- Use of UAVs: A blend of domestic and international drones enhancing offensive capabilities.
- BrahMos Cruise Missile: Known for its speed, it effectively targeted Pakistan's airbases.
- NavIC System: India's satellite navigation system provided precise targeting, equivalent to GPS and others.
Despite these advancements, India's reliance on foreign technology persists due to GoI support in defence and space tech, contrasting with private sector struggles against regulatory burdens.
Economic Reforms and Challenges
India's economic reforms, particularly the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), aimed to simplify the tax system by unifying multiple tax jurisdictions into one. Highlights include:
- Increased registered taxpayers to 1.40 crore.
- GST collections reaching a record ₹2.37 lakh crore in April.
However, issues such as multiple tax rates on the same commodities and administrative delays are reminiscent of pre-GST challenges, threatening its efficacy.
Strategic Economic Concerns
While celebrating defence achievements, India must address strategic economic challenges:
- Global influences, such as Chinese dumping, threaten domestic production of critical goods like TDQ and penicillin G.
- There's a need for incentives, like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI), to revive and support domestic industries.
Overall, India's technological prowess in defence should inspire similar advancements across other sectors to build a robust and self-reliant economy.