Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lauded the Armed Forces for the success of Operation Sindoor and urged the Defence Ministry to take measures to enhance self-reliance, innovation, and preparedness for future challenges, an official statement said.
Inaugurating the 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) at the Eastern Command headquarters of the Army at Vijay Durg (formerly Fort William) here, the Prime Minister reviewed reforms implemented over the past two years and outlined plans for the next two years. He also unveiled the ‘Indian Armed Forces Vision 2047’ document.
Officials said Modi was briefed on the operational readiness of the forces in light of the “new normal” created by Operation Sindoor, as well as the future of warfare amid emerging technologies and tactics. “The Prime Minister complimented the Armed Forces for the success of Operation Sindoor,” the statement added.
Launched in May following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, Operation Sindoor was a targeted campaign to dismantle terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deep inside Pakistan. The operation demonstrated a calibrated, tri-service response marked by precision, professionalism, and purpose, according to defence officials.
During the conference, Modi also praised the Armed Forces for their role in nation-building, anti-piracy operations, the safe return of Indian citizens from conflict zones, and providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) to friendly nations.
“In line with 2025 being designated as the ‘Year of Reforms’ in defence, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Defence to swiftly implement steps to achieve greater jointness, Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), and innovation, ensuring readiness to meet future challenges and prevail in any scenario,” the statement said.
The three-day conference is attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and other top military and civilian leaders. Held once every two years, the CCC serves as the Armed Forces’ premier forum to exchange ideas and chart the future of India’s military preparedness.
This year’s conference theme, ‘Year of Reforms – Transforming for the Future’, reflects the ongoing modernisation and transformation of the Armed Forces. Over the next two days, participants will review structural, administrative, and operational matters, assess preparedness in the face of global uncertainties, and deliberate on strategic issues including force modernisation, jointness, integration, and operational readiness for multi-domain warfare.
The last CCC was held in Bhopal in 2023, also inaugurated by the Prime Minister. Modi arrived in Kolkata from Assam on Sunday evening and left for Purnea, Bihar, on Monday afternoon. This marked his fourth visit to Bengal in the past five months and the second within a month.
