PM Calls for Self-Reliance in Defence at Combined Commanders' Conference

PTI, KOLKATA, SEPT 15, 2025 :  Inaugurating the 16th Combined Commanders' Conference of the armed forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asked the Defence Ministry to swiftly implement concrete steps to achieve greater self-reliance in defence and innovations to meet future challenges.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, the Chief of the Defence Staff, and all the three service chiefs were present at the conference that was held at HQ Eastern Command in Kolkata. The three-day conference will continue till Wednesday.

The theme of this year's conference was 'Year of Reforms – Transformation for the Future' in line with the ongoing modernisation and transformation of the armed forces.

The call of the Prime Minister for greater self-reliance has gained importance in the context of the changing geo-political situations and the need for New Delhi to recalibrate its policy dimensions accordingly.

The Prime Minister complemented the armed forces for the success of Operation Sindoor as well as the integral role played by the Armed Forces in nation building, anti-piracy, safe return of Indian citizens from conflict zones, as well as providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief assistance to friendly countries.

The Prime Minister was briefed on the operational readiness of the forces in the context of the new normal created in the wake of Operation Sindoor, the future nature of warfare in the context of emerging technology and tactics.

The Prime Minister reviewed the reforms implemented in the last two years and the plan for the next two years.

Over the next two days, the Conference would conduct a review of various structural, administrative, and operational matters based on feedback from across the forces, preparedness of the armed forces in the face of increasing global uncertainties, as well as discussions to develop the roadmap for implementation of the vision of the Prime Minister.

Held once in two years, this conference is the apex-level brainstorming forum of the armed forces that brings together the nation's top civilian and military leadership to exchange views and lay the groundwork for the future development of India’s military preparedness.

The importance of such brainstorming sessions has increased in the context of planned reforms like the introduction of ‘Theatre Commands’, the growing importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Command in meeting the new challenges in the Indian Ocean region, and the introduction of new technologies like drones, missiles, and air defence systems — the importance of which has been underscored in the context of Operation Sindoor.