Army commanders’ brainstorming conference begins today

Top Army commanders are scheduled to brainstorm from Thursday on conceptual issues and review the security situation, paving the way for policy decisions to strengthen national security in view of the fast evolving geopolitical landscape.

The conference serves as a pivotal forum for apex leadership of the Indian Army to brainstorm conceptual issues, review and assess the overall security situation. It will lay down key priorities facilitating important policy decisions, to chart the course for future direction. The conference, with its wide scope, ensures the Indian Army remains progressive, forward-looking, adaptive and future-ready.

Starting on 28 March, the conference will be chaired by the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Manoj Pande at New Delhi with Army Commanders’ participating in virtual mode from their respective Command Headquarters. The deliberation will be on critical agendas impacting the field army and veterans’ welfare. The conference will also feature talks by distinguished Subject Matter Experts on the evolving geopolitical landscape and ramifications for national security.

Army Commanders’ Conference, first for the year 2024, will be organised in hybrid mode with the conference in virtual mode scheduled on 28 March and thereafter physical mode in New Delhi on 1 and 2 April. Defence minister Rajnath Singh will also address and interact with senior military leadership during the conference.

During the physical mode of the conference on 1 April, the Army’s top leadership will engage in sessions aimed at enhancing operational effectiveness, importance of fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability and investing in training and development programmes to ensure readiness for future challenges.

The brainstorming session will also encompass issues concerning welfare of service personnel aimed at enhancing the quality of life for soldiers and their families. This will be followed by a meeting of the Investment Advisory Committee of the Army Group Insurance, chaired by the COAS, and attended by several experts in the field of financial management. The committee will deliberate on various welfare measures and schemes for financial security of serving soldiers, veterans and their families.

On 2 April, the defence minister will deliver a keynote address. The senior commanders of the Army will also be addressed by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari. The event will also be attended by the Defence Secretary and other senior officials from the Ministry of Defence.