The Second Army Commanders’ Conference of 2024 was organised in a hybrid format, divided into two phases
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, addressing the Army Commanders’ Conference in Delhi on Tuesday, underscored the need for a “whole of government” approach to effectively advance national security interests. Jaishankar highlighted the complexities of current geopolitics, touching on its challenges, opportunities, and the need for coordinated strategies. He shared moments from the conference on X, commenting, “Pleased to address the Army Commanders Conference in Delhi today. Discussed the intricacies of current geopolitics, as well as its challenges, possibilities and opportunities. Urged that a more ‘whole of the government’ approach is needed to effectively advance national security.”
Two-Phase Conference Reviewing Key Strategies
The Second Army Commanders’ Conference of 2024 was organised in a hybrid format, divided into two phases. The first phase took place on October 10-11 in Gangtok, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the conference virtually from Sukna Cantt, Darjeeling. His keynote speech covered global complexities, urging senior army officers to consider the shifting world landscape and its impacts on national security.
The second phase of the conference convened senior Indian Army officials in Delhi on October 28-29, focusing on reviewing operational preparedness and refining strategic responses. According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, this session will involve discussions on India’s evolving geopolitical environment, deliberation on operational strategies, and meetings by the Board of Governors to assess welfare measures for serving personnel, veterans, and their families.
Key Discussions On Security, Civil-Military Integration
A central focus of the conference is on strengthening the Army’s readiness to address modern security threats through a comprehensive national security strategy. This includes the integration of Civil-Military Fusion, alongside Diplomatic, Information, Military, and Economic (DIME) pillars, to provide a robust counter to contemporary threats. The need for low-cost technological innovations and alternative defence strategies to address the rapid evolution in warfare also form a crucial part of discussions.
In the first phase, conference participants explored challenges and strategies for border security, aimed at enhancing the Army’s capabilities in high-risk areas. The second phase will provide a platform for further discussions on the geopolitical landscape and strategic measures to ensure the Indian Army remains adaptive, forward-thinking, and fully prepared to defend national interests.
The ongoing conference, with its focus on preparedness and future-readiness, underscores the Indian Army’s commitment to securing the nation amid a complex global environment.
