The newly appointed Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi received the Guard of Honour on Monday morning at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He assumed charge as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) on Sunday, succeeding Gen. Manoj C. Pande, PVSM, AVSM, VSM. 






Gen Dwivedi was seen touching the feet of his brother and other relatives as a mark of respect after the ceremony.






Ahead of the Guard of Honour, he met various religious leaders outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan. 






Addressing the media, the new Chief of the Army Staff said it was a moment of great pride and honour for him to lead the Indian Army. He stated the “tradition” of the Indian Army is based on “the sacrifice and contributions of our jawans”.






He paid tribute to the brave soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. 


ALSO READ: Gen Upendra Dwivedi Assumes Charge As New Indian Army Chief


He further said the global equations were changing, and battles were taking a new form. “We need to not only advance in this direction but also improve the war systems and strategies by arming jawans with modern arms and new-age technology,” Gen Dwivedi said, as quoted by ANI.


He said the Indian Army was moving towards modernisation, adding that the force was always ready to attain 'atmanirbharta (self-sufficiency)'. To achieve this, he said, the Army would encourage indigenous initiatives and incorporate indigenous war systems and equipment.


“It will be my effort that with the synergy between the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force and other stakeholders, we [will] be always prepared for operations under the full spectrum of conflict," he was quoted as saying by ANI. 


“I assure the country and all Indians that the Indian Army is ready and capable to face all challenges," Gen Dwivedi added.


After his address to the media, Gen Dwivedi laid a wreath at the National War Memorial. 






His appointment as Army chief was announced by the Ministry of Defence on June 11. He is the first officer from the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (JAKRIF) to hold the position. 


The regiment has a direct lineage from the former royal house of the Dogra rulers of Jammu and Kashmir. His career, spanning 40 years, has been distinguished by a series of command, staff, instructional, and foreign postings, the government said. Gen Dwivedi has taken charge of the 1.3 million-strong Army at a time when India is facing various security challenges including along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.