PM Narendra Modi inaugurates 16th armed forces' conference at Eastern Command HQ in Kolkata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday instructed the Defence Ministry to swiftly implement concrete steps to achieve greater Jointness, Atmanirbharta and Innovation to meet future challenges and requirements of an evolving battlefield.

PM Modi hailed the armed forces for their role in nation building, anti-piracy, safe return of Indian citizens from conflict zones and providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) assistance to friendly countries. He was speaking at the inauguration of the three-day 16th Combined Commanders Conference (CCC) 2025 at the Eastern Command headquarters in Kolkata on Monday morning.

“The PM was briefed on the operational readiness of the forces in the context of the new normal created by Operation Sindoor, future of warfare in the context of emerging technology and tactics. The PM also reviewed the reforms implemented in the last two years, and the plan for the next two years,” a ministry of defence statement read.

“In line with 2025 being the ‘year of reforms’ in defence, the PM instructed the ministry of defence to implement concrete steps to achieve greater jointness, aatmanirbharta and innovation to meet future challenges and to prevail against any eventuality,” the MoD statement read.

Over the next two days, the conference will conduct a holistic review of various structural, administrative and operational matters based on feedback from across the forces and preparedness of the armed forces in the face of increasing global uncertainties.

Held once in two years, CCC-2025 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 high-level conference is being attended by defence minister Rajnath Singh, national security advisor Ajit Doval, chief of defence staff General Anil Chauhan and Defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, chief of three forces –– Army, Navy and Air Force –– Lt Gen RC Tiwari, Eastern Army Commander, among others.

The PM left for Purnea in Bihar after the inauguration.