India must strengthen its domestic fire and security technology ecosystem and move towards developing solutions for global markets as its cities, industries and infrastructure expand, said Dr Pankaj Bhoyar, Minister of State, Government of Maharashtra, at the ninth edition of the Fire & Security India Expo (FSIE) 2026.Emphasising the role of Make in India and Startup India, Bhoyar said the country should move beyond adopting global technologies towards developing and manufacturing indigenous fire and safety solutions. He stressed that economic and infrastructure development must be accompanied by stronger safety preparedness, supported by innovation, technology, skilled professionals and effective implementation.“Development and safety must always go hand in hand,” Bhoyar said, adding that buildings, workplaces and public spaces must be designed with the safety and security of citizens as a priority.Madhuri Misal, Minister of State, Government of Maharashtra, said fire safety should be integrated into buildings from the design and construction stage rather than being treated as a post-completion compliance requirement. She called for a lifecycle approach covering structural design, electrical and water systems, evacuation planning, firefighting systems and their regular testing and maintenance.Misal also urged the industry to move from a certificate-based approach towards continuous preparedness. “Fire safety cannot be limited to installing fire extinguishers or obtaining a fire NOC,” she said, stressing the need for regular inspection, testing, maintenance and compliance.Rakhi Deepak, National President, Fire & Security Association of India (FSAI), highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, industry, professionals and technology providers in strengthening India's safety ecosystem.FSIE 2026 features more than 240 exhibiting brands and 70 speakers, showcasing solutions across fire protection, life safety, security, surveillance, building automation and emergency response. The expo has a particular focus on AI, IoT, smart sensors, advanced fire detection and integrated command-and-control systems.Supported by the Government of Maharashtra and its Urban Development Department, FSIE 2026 aims to promote a shift from reactive response towards proactive prevention and strengthen safety and resilience across India's buildings and infrastructure.