The 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference starts today at the Eastern Command headquarters at Vijay Durg, Kolkata. It is the top-profile tri-service defence conference where the top military and civilian top brass of India gathers to discuss strategic and operational dimensions along with reforms of national defence.
Prime Minister Modi to Open the Conference
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Kolkata to open the three-day defence conference. His short but important clearly indicates the government’s highest priority on national defence and military modernisation against evolving global threats.
After programmes in Assam today, landed in Kolkata, where I will take part in the Combined Commanders’ Conference tomorrow. After this conference, will go to Purnea, Bihar, to inaugurate the new terminal building of the airport. Development works worth Rs. 36,000 crore will be… pic.twitter.com/dxlk8uFioM
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 14, 2025
Rajnath Singh To Deliver Key Address
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has also reached Kolkata, and will be taking an active part in discussions with top Army, Navy, and Air Force chiefs, the Chief of Defence Staff and National Security Advisor. The agenda at the conference is to address urgent reforms and strengthening India’s war-fighting capabilities.
Priority on Armed Forces Reforms and Modernisation
Major part of the conference is focused on institutional changes like theatre commands, joining forces with technology in defence operations, and readiness across multiple domains. The focus is on restructuring the armed forces to counter future security challenges effectively.
Strategic Significance of Kolkata as Venue
The selection of Kolkata emphasises the strategic importance of the Eastern Command, which guards India’s eastern frontiers and protects Indian waters. Organising the conference in Kolkata implies India’s priority for safeguarding its eastern borders in the middle of changing regional dynamics.
Civil-Military Integration
The presence of the Defence Minister and Prime Minister in the conference represents the focus on civil-military cooperation in defending policy making and implementation in crucial defence policies essential for India’s security environment.
Determining Defence Priorities of the Future
The Combined Commanders’ Conference is set to provide direction and decisions that will shape India’s defence strategy over the coming years. The collective platform seeks to ensure that the armed forces of the country are adaptable, contemporary, and capable of responding to modern and future security challenges, amid evolving warfare tactics.
