PRAYAGRAJ, May 5 -- Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday stressed the need for sustained investment in research and the cultivation of the "element of surprise" to ensure preparedness in an era of rapid technological transformation.

Singh was addressing defence personnel, industry leaders, innovators, start-ups and academia at the inaugural session of the three-day North Tech Symposium 2026 in Prayagraj.

"There is no substitute for research. The nature of future wars is being determined in laboratories today," he said.

He also mentioned Operation Sindoor days ahead of its first anniversary and described it as a "unique" example of how the Indian military utilised advanced technology to deliver a decisive blow to terror groups and t...