PM Modi to address military brass at conference in Kolkata next week

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the country’s top military leadership at the upcoming Combined Commanders’ Conference scheduled from September 15 to 17 in Kolkata, the first such engagement after the armed forces’ decisive success in Operation Sindoor against Pakistan.

During the conference, the Prime Minister is likely to be briefed on the progress of higher defence reforms, particularly the creation of three integrated theatre commands aimed at enhancing synergy and operational efficiency of the armed forces in future conflicts.

The groundwork for these theatre commands is being laid by the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) under Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan. Officials said the IDS is closely examining lessons from Operation Sindoor to incorporate them into the evolving command structure.

The theatre commands, once operational, are expected to fundamentally change India’s warfighting architecture by bringing the Army, Navy, and the Air Force under unified command structures for specific geographical theatres.

According to sources, Mr. Modi will speak on second day of the conference. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will speak on the third day.

Conference agenda

Officials said the lessons learnt from Operation Sindoor will be discussed in detail during the conference, and progress in the defence ecosystem towards attaining self-reliance will also be reviewed. There will also be focus on development of an indigenous weapon system.

In the ‘Ran Samvaad’ recently held at the Army War College, Mhow, there was debate over theatreisation of the armed forces. At the event, the Air chief and Navy chief had different views over the structure of the theatre commands.

This Independence day, Mr. Modi announced ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’ to develop an indigenous air defence system by 2035.

On August 19, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by the Prime Minister approved the procurement of 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The conference is held every alternate year. In 2023, it was held in Bhopal. This year, it was scheduled in April but was postponed due to Operation Sindoor.