India, July 17 -- Even as advanced weapons and platforms are being inducted into the armed forces to tackle the evolving nature of warfare, critical infrastructure such as ports, roads and tunnels will continue to play an indispensable role in the future, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday.

In his address at Strategic Infrastructure Conclave hosted by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) here, he also emphasised that while the outcome of war is largely determined by military prowess, precision capabilities and modern technologies, basic infrastructure is central to enabling military operations.

"Sometimes, the first front of a war is not at the border itself, but on the road that leads our soldiers to the frontline. Therefor...