<span style="color: #222222;">Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today called upon industry leaders to come up with innovative solutions to help India become a 'leader' from an 'imitator' in futuristic technologies. He was addressing the annual session of the Confederation of Indian Industry in New Delhi. The theme of the session was 'Future Frontiers: Competitiveness, Technology, Sustainability and Internationalization'.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Minister asserted that, in today's era, security equations are changing at an unprecedented pace and countries are focusing more than ever on technological advancements in the fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and genetics. He termed it as both a challenge of not lagging behind in the race of technology as well as an opportunity of making a mark.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Mr Singh described Research and Development in cutting-edge technology as the only way to achieve this goal, stating that it opens new dimensions crucial for the development and security of any nation in today's times. He said, India is currently going through a 'Demographic Dividend' and the Government is working towards optimum utilisation of this. He said, there are new avenues opening today with the help of Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing and Genetics. He stated that India should endeavour to become a technological leader. The Minister noted that there are one lakh start-ups in the country, out of which more than one hundred unicorns have been born.</span><br />