Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to be prepared for cyber wars is timely (“ >Cyber domination crucial, Modi tells commanders ,” Oct. 18). India must now rethink its strategy and take an active role in the new science of cyber wars which has undergone far-reaching changes in the 21st century. It is no longer about face-to-face human combat. From state-sponsored cyber attacks, autonomous robotic weapons, drones and other technologies, wars are being fought with machines that are backed by sophisticated software. Robotic technologies will increasingly play a significant role having taken over jobs that require precision and repetition. Terrorists would love to control all critical systems — from oil and gas facilities, electricity transmission to financial networks — and it is fascinating that one can use software to cripple a nation to the core.
H.N. Ramakrishna,
Bangalore
