Always Maintain the Force’s Operational Readiness at its Peak Level: Defence Minister

Indian Army

New Delhi: Interacting with commanders on the third day of the ongoing biannual Army Commanders’ Conference  2022, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented the forces for maintaining the high standard of operational preparedness and capabilities towards ensuring security and national sovereignty.

The Army Commanders’ Conference (November 7-11) is being held in New Delhi to brainstorm on current and emerging security and administrative aspects and chart the future course for the Indian Army. As an apex-level biannual event, it is an institutional platform for conceptual level deliberations and making important policy decisions for the Indian Army.

Reasserting the faith in the Indian Army as one of the “most trusted and inspiring organisations” in the country, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in his interaction called on the top Army commanders to always maintain the force’s operational readiness at its peak level amid a lingering border row with China in eastern Ladakh.

At the conference, the commanders are carrying out a comprehensive review of India’s national security challenges along the borders with China and Pakistan, besides delving on ways to bolster the force’s military prowess.

Defence Minister Singh’s interaction with the senior leadership of the Army was the main highlight of the third day’s proceedings which was preceded by a briefing on “Transformational Imperatives for a Future-ready Force”.

The Army said the Defence Minister commended the force for maintaining a high operational readiness towards ensuring security and national sovereignty. “I have full faith and confidence in the Indian Army and its leadership,” he said.

“He commended the Army’s efforts to develop niche technologies in collaboration with civil industries, including premier educational institutions, and thereby progressing towards the aim of ‘modernisation through indigenisation’ or ‘Atmanirbharta’ [self-reliance],” it said in a statement.

Referring to the stellar role played by the Army in guarding the country’s borders and fighting terrorism, apart from providing assistance to the civil administration whenever called for, the Defence Minister also noted that the Army ought to be prepared for any operational contingencies and hence, the operational readiness should always be at its peak level.

A review of India’s military preparedness along the 3,400-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) in view of the military standoff with China in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh is also being undertaken by the commanders, officials said. The anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the overall situation in the Union Territory are also being deliberated upon extensively at the conference, they added.