Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Sep 16: In a bold and forward-looking address at the Combined Commanders’ Conference 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called on India’s armed forces to step beyond traditional notions of war and brace for emerging threats in unconventional domains such as information warfare, ideological battles, ecological crises, and biological threats. Emphasising the unpredictable nature of modern conflict, he noted that today’s wars can last anywhere from weeks to several years, demanding constant preparedness and resilient surge capacity from the military.
Singh highlighted that warfare is evolving faster than ever before, driven by technology and asymmetry. To stay ahead, he urged commanders to adopt a proactive mindset and embrace a new strategic doctrine aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of building a ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ — a symbol of comprehensive national defence capabilities. A committee, he revealed, has already been set up to chart a realistic action plan for both medium- and long-term goals, covering five- and ten-year horizons.
Underlining the growing relevance of technological superiority, Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to modernisation, credible deterrence, and operational readiness. He placed special emphasis on PM Modi’s “JAI mantra” — Jointness, Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance), and Innovation — as the guiding principle for India's 21st-century defence posture. Collaboration with industry and academia was strongly encouraged, with the Defence Minister calling on the private sector to step up as a global leader in defence innovation.
He pointed to structural reforms already underway, such as the establishment of Tri-Service Logistics Nodes and a dedicated logistics management application, as evidence of India’s move toward full-spectrum integration and civil-military synergy. Operation Sindoor was cited as a milestone that demonstrated the power of strategic self-reliance and indigenous capability, with Singh praising the armed forces for executing the mission with professionalism using largely Indian platforms.
In line with efforts to cut bureaucratic red tape and boost efficiency, Singh announced the approval of the Defence Procurement Manual 2025 and said that the existing Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 is under revision. The aim, he stated, is to simplify procurement, eliminate delays, and ensure that the armed forces remain combat-ready at all times.
The high-level conference was attended by Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan, Army chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat, and other senior officials, reflecting the seriousness of India’s push to align its military doctrine with the demands of a rapidly changing global security landscape.