New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held the third major high-level meeting with all the secretaries of the central government on Thursday. In this meeting held at his residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, PM Modi gave a clear message to the top officials that do not get entangled only in today's problems, think about tomorrow's India. The meeting focused on the future agenda of ministries to infrastructure and connectivity, security, foreign affairs and governance.

Break silo culture, work like whole government   

PM Modi told the officials that the habit of working in silos in government departments has to be ended. He said that this is not just a problem of organization, but a problem of thinking. Many times silos are created horizontally and vertically within the department.

He said that every officer will have to take full responsibility and work with commitment towards the country. The PM stressed on 'Whole of Government' approach, where all the ministries work together. He cited the examples of the Covid pandemic and the West Asia crisis, when different departments came together to handle big challenges.

Data is the property of the country, use it properly   

In the meeting, PM Modi described data as a national asset. He said that the government spends a lot of money and resources on collecting data and keeping it safe, but due to lack of coordination between departments, it does not get full benefit.

Often each department collects data in its own way. The PM said that such a system should be made where the data platforms of all the departments can talk to each other. If there is better integration of data then policy making will be easier.

Use AI, but keep human judgment at the center   

Artificial Intelligence was also a big issue of this meeting. PM Modi said that AI should be used more and more in governance, but the final decision should be taken by humans only. Technology must work together with the human experience.

He asked the officials to interact more with the university and the youth. New ideas will come from students and young minds that will challenge old ways.

Special focus on defense and maritime sector    

PM also discussed further strengthening the defense industry at the global level. He said that new and modern courses to defense should be started so that a pool of skilled people can be prepared for the future.

There was also a special discussion on the maritime sector. The PM reminded that shipbuilding has already been given infrastructure status. He asked the officials to see whether the work is being done as per the target and take it forward in mission mode.

Finally, the PM said that senior officers should increase informal interactions with juniors. This will strengthen the team spirit and create a better network between different cadres, which will enable the government to work more effectively.