Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today said, India was well positioned to become a net provider of security in its immediate region in the Indian Ocean and beyond.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone of the Indian National Defence University, INDU, in Gurgaon this morning, Dr. Singh said, India's defence cooperation has grown and it now had unprecedented access to high technology, capital and partnerships. He said, New Delhi has also sought to assume responsibility for stability in the Indian Ocean region.

Dr. Singh added that India seeks to advance peace, stability, friendship and cooperation in the region and beyond and expressed confidence that the country's armed forces are capable of defending the country against any security threat He said that the confidence is based on the many steps that the government has taken to strengthen the nations's defence capabilities.

Noting that the government is making defence acquisition less vulnerable to unethical practices, he said, close attention has been paid in indigenisation of defence procurement.

Dr Singh said the government is committed to taking steps to stimulate the development of the country's domestic defence industry, including the private sector.

The Prime Minister said the India's deterrence capabilities have matured in the last nine years and have taken concrete shape.

Dr. Singh added that the government has placed special emphasis on strengthening the capabilities of the navy. The Centre has also enhanced the full spectrum of capabilities of the Air Force and is equipping it to remain at the cutting edge of technology for the decades that lie ahead.

Dr Singh said the Defence University will provide an avenue for soldiers to think beyond the physical arts of war and conflict.

Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister A K Antony said that INDU will be a milestone in capacity building and stressed the need to have adequate human resources to deal with security challenges.

Our correspondent reports, the university will a dedicated first-of-its-kind institution for training and research in military studies.

The sprawling 200-acre campus to be set up in Binola village of Gurgaon is expected to be completed by 2019. While one third of its strength will comprise of civilian students, the remaining will be reserved for in-service defence personnel.