Country must adjust changing power equations: Pranab

Noting that power relationships are constantly changing, President Pranab Mukherjee today said unless a country understands and addresses itself to changes taking place around it, its own security would be seriously endangered.

Addressing members of the 53rd batch of National Defence College, the President said global environment poses numerous challenges to world leaders and policy-makers because of its dynamic nature.

"Astonishing pace at which the events have unfolded in the recent past could not have been foreseen even a decade earlier," Mukherjee said in his speech to the batch which comprises officials from Defence, IPS, IAS and members from friendly foreign countries.

"Each country is guided in its actions by its national interests and objectives. The power relationships are constantly changing and unless a country understands and adjusts itself to the changes that are taking place around it, its own security will be seriously endangered," he said.

The President said the success of any nation depends on how effectively it harnesses all the available resources at its disposal, foremost among these being the human resource.

"In a democratic system like ours, various organs of the state must understand the strengths and limitations of each other. Political leadership and senior civil services officers must be conversant with the capabilities and limitations of the defence forces.

"Similarly, Armed Forces officers need to understand the limitations and constitutional framework under which political setup and civil services function. However, both of them should be aware of larger perspective of national security in order to take informed decision of vital importance," he added.