Stay Alert, Be Ready to Deal with Invisible Challenges: Rajnath to Armed Forces

PTI, KOLKATA, SEPT 16, 2025 :  Asserting that the nature of warfare is continuously evolving, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday exhorted the Armed Forces to go beyond traditional concepts of war and remain alert and ready to deal with invisible challenges.

Singh said that recent global conflicts have underlined the relevance of a "technology-friendly" military. Addressing the 16th Combined Commanders' Conference (CCC) 2025 in Kolkata, the Defence Minister asked the Armed Forces to be ready to deal with "invisible challenges emanating from unconventional threats such as information, ideological, ecological, and biological warfare."

"Wars of today are so sudden and unpredictable that it is extremely difficult to foretell their duration. It can be two months, a year, or even five years. We need to be prepared... We need to ensure that our surge capacity remains sufficient," he said.

Singh commended the Armed Forces for their "outstanding performance" and "exemplary professionalism" in the planning and execution of Operation Sindoor in May, which was launched in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly tourists.

"Operation Sindoor has demonstrated that strength, strategy, and self-reliance are the three pillars that will give India the power it needs in the 21st century. Today, we have the capability to face any challenge with the help of indigenous platforms and systems, coupled with the indomitable courage of our soldiers. This is the real strength of Aatmanirbhar Bharat," Singh said.

Operation Sindoor, conceived as a punitive and targeted campaign to dismantle the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deep inside Pakistan, showcased a calibrated, tri-services response embodying precision, professionalism, and purpose, according to an official.

Terming India's defence sector as an amalgamation of offensive and defensive capabilities, the Defence Minister called upon the commanders to be proactive in their approach and strive to build the "Sudarshan Chakra," an air defence mechanism, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Singh stated that a committee has been formed to examine the project and prepare a "realistic action plan." He suggested devising a medium-term plan for the next five years and a long-term plan for the next ten years to bring the vision to fruition.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and other senior officers were present at the meeting.