Military Commanders To Review National Security Concerns, Ukraine War Ramifications In 5-Day Conclave

Army Chief Gen MM Naravane will preside over the conclave, which will be held in the national capital from April 18 to 22.

Representational Image. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: At a five-day conclave beginning Monday, top Army officers will conduct a detailed evaluation of India's national security issues along its borders with China and Pakistan, as well as examine any potential geopolitical implications of the Russia-Ukraine war for the area, news agency PTI reported.

Army Chief Gen MM Naravane will preside over the conclave, which will be held in the national capital from April 18 to 22.

Officials stated on Sunday that the commanders will also focus on specific strategies for capability development and increasing the 1.3 million-strong force's operational readiness.

The Army Commanders' Conference is a high-level biennial event conducted in April and October each year.

The conference serves as an institutional forum for conceptual level discourse, culminating in the formulation of critical policy choices for the Indian Army.

According to officials, comprehensive debates have been scheduled to analyse the potential repercussions of the Ukrainian war for regional security as well as other military components of the conflict.

The commanders would also conduct a thorough evaluation of India's military readiness along the 3,400-kilometre-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) in light of the ongoing military stalemate with China in specific friction sites in eastern Ladakh, they said.

The anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the general situation in the Union Territory, will be thoroughly discussed during the meeting, according to authorities.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to meet with senior Army officers and deliver a speech at the conference on April 21.

“During the conference, the senior leadership of the Indian Army will review the operational situation along the active borders, assess threats in the entire spectrum of conflict and undertake analysis of capability voids to further focus on capability development and operational preparedness plans,” the Army was quoted by PTI in its report.

“Discussions on aspects pertaining to infrastructure development in border areas, modernisation through indigenisation, induction of Niche tech and assessment on any impact of the Russia-Ukraine war are also scheduled,” it said in a statement.

It stated that the top commanders will discuss several agenda proposals submitted by regional commands, in addition to ideas for upgrading works, financial management, adopting e-vehicles, and digitalisation in the Indian Army.

Board of Governors meetings of the Army Welfare Education Society (AWES) and the Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF) will be held as part of the conference, according to the Army.

The conference also serves as a formal venue for top Indian Army leadership to engage with senior officials from the Departments of Military Affairs and Defence.

It will be the last Army Commanders' Conference conducted by Gen Naravane, whose tenure as Army Chief will conclude at the end of this month.

(With PTI Inputs)