New Delhi, 4 December 2025: The GeoSmart India Conference and Expo 2025, organised by Geospatial World at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, featured a high-level session on “Defence & Internal Security: Geospatial Intelligence for Strategic Preparedness.” The discussion brought together senior leaders from defence, policy, and technology domains to explore how geospatial intelligence, AI, and emerging digital systems are reshaping India’s national security architecture and operational preparedness.
The conversation reflected the evolving nature of warfare, where traditional frontlines are no longer limited to physical boundaries but extend into cyberspace, urban environments, and information networks. Speakers underscored that internal vulnerabilities can often be as critical as external threats, demanding integrated and technology-driven solutions across domains.
Lt Gen Dushyant Singh, PVSM, AVSM, Director General, Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), articulated that security challenges today extend far beyond the frontlines, encompassing both external threats and internal vulnerabilities. Drawing from ancient wisdom, he reminded that “the internal enemy is often more dangerous than the external one,” emphasizing that safeguarding India’s future requires equal focus on borders, cities, and cyberspace. He outlined six pillars of modern security—smart border surveillance, AI for predictive policing, cyber defence, counter-UAV systems, emergency response, and the role of citizens as first responders—and highlighted the importance of leveraging technology, space, and AI not only for reaction but for prediction and prevention.
Building on this vision, Cdr Mukesh Saini, Former National informatio Cyber Security Advisor, Dussat Global Technology, observed that cyber threats are evolving faster than conventional defence mechanisms, making it imperative to integrate GIS-based IP mapping and promote citizen-centric tools like the Sanchar Sathi app to enhance national cyber resilience. With global cybercrime losses crossing $10 trillion, he emphasized the urgency of proactive intelligence linking geography, identity, and intent. He also stressed that AI watermarking and deepfake detection will define the next frontier of digital trust, calling for judicial preparedness and collaboration between governments and AI developers to ensure authenticity in the digital age.
In the context of aerial and border threats, Brig Siddharth Malik, SM, Commandant, 509 Army Base Workshop, highlighted India’s strides in developing a comprehensive four-layer counter-UAV architecture encompassing detection, identification, tracking, and mitigation. He underlined that GIS and AI/ML integration form the foundation of this system, allowing real-time mapping, predictive analysis, and faster response to drone intrusions. Emphasizing indigenous innovation, he pointed to the Army’s collaboration with domestic industries to create cost-effective and scalable anti-drone technologies, marking a decisive move toward a self-reliant and future-ready drone defence ecosystem.
Providing a futuristic outlook, Col Chetan Dewan, Indian Army, shared insights on the development of an intelligent border surveillance system powered by sensor fusion, AI, and blockchain tokenization. He explained that AI at the edge would enable real-time analysis and reduced false alarms, while blockchain-based sensor identification and GIS mapping ensure data authenticity and system integrity. He noted that the future of border security depends on collaborative innovation between the Army, research institutions, and technology developers to build a secure, resilient, and self-reliant surveillance network.
The session captured India’s determination to strengthen its defence and internal security ecosystem through technological convergence and geospatial intelligence. As the discussions reflected, the fusion of AI, GIS, space, and cyber innovation is enabling India to transition from reactive defence to predictive preparedness, ensuring that technology serves not only as a shield but as a force multiplier for peace, safety, and resilience.
By fostering collaboration between defence institutions, policymakers, and industry innovators, GeoSmart India 2025 reaffirmed its commitment to advancing national security through innovation, self-reliance, and geospatial excellence, charting the pathway toward a safer and smarter India.
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