Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said country's deterrent capabilities have increased and it is now well positioned to be 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 on Thursday 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 the responsibility for stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

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

The Prime Minister said the India's deterrence capabilities have matured in the last nine years and have taken concrete shape. Noting that the government is making defence acquisition less vulnerable to unethical practices, he said, close attention has been paid to 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. Dr. Singh said the government has placed special emphasis on strengthening the capabilities of navy which is fully equipped to operate. The Centre has also enhanced the full spectrum of capabilities of Air Force and is equipping it to remain at the cutting edge of technology for the decades that lie ahead.

Dr Singh said the Defense 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.

AIR 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.