Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed the need to protect India’s banking system from cyber terrorists, warning that modern wars are being fought not only through conventional means but also by targeting economies. He emphasised the need to strengthen digital infrastructure and cybersecurity to ensure a secure and efficient banking system in the country. The Prime Minister was speaking after inaugurating the Reserve Bank of India’s Greenfield Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute at Info Valley-2 in Jatni, near Bhubaneswar, this evening. He said the new facilities would help protect India’s banking system against emerging cyber threats. The Prime Minister said India’s banking sector has emerged as one of the most efficient in the world, with people having access to banking services round the clock. He cited nearly 60 crore Jan Dhan accounts and wider access to credit, insurance and pension schemes. Prime Minister Modi stressed that the next decade must focus on making banking more efficient, reliable and secure, with modern infrastructure and skilled professionals to counter cybercriminals and cyberterrorists.
Prime Minister Modi said eastern India is emerging as a growth engine for a developed India. He said Odisha has the potential to shape its future across diverse sectors, from mining to microchips, opening new avenues of opportunity for the youth. Mr Modi expressed confidence that the new RBI facilities would strengthen the country’s financial security and create opportunities for the state’s youth. The Prime Minister said the inauguration marks an important milestone for a New India, with Bhubaneswar emerging as the location for the new institution.
The Prime Minister said expressways are now connecting smaller towns, while institutions such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, AIIMS, have expanded to more states. He added that medical colleges are also being established in smaller towns to improve access to healthcare.
Speaking on the occasion, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said digital transformation and financial inclusion are strengthening India’s economy. The Finance Minister said, the new RBI facility would support critical financial infrastructure, including the Real-Time Gross Settlement and National Electronic Funds Transfer systems. She added that the Cybersecurity Training Institute would develop specialised expertise in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data centre management. Emphasising the Centre’s Purvodaya vision, Ms. Sitharaman said the development of eastern India is vital to the country’s overall progress.
Odisha Governor Braj Mohan Ram, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister Jual Oram and RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra were also present at the inaugural function.
Built at an estimated cost of around 170 crore rupees, the data centre is expected to strengthen the security of critical financial data and enhance the resilience of India’s digital financial infrastructure. It will support mission-critical systems, including payment and settlement operations of the Reserve Bank.
The accompanying Cybersecurity Training Institute will provide specialised training and promote research in cybersecurity, enterprise computing and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and quantum computing. The facility is expected to strengthen the RBI’s technological capabilities and contribute to the security, reliability and resilience of the country’s rapidly expanding digital financial ecosystem.
Mr Modi reached Odisha after completing his visit to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh today.
