PM Modi Stresses Jointness, Atmanirbharta & Innovation at Combined Commanders’ Conference in Kolkata. 

Focus on Future Warfare, Defence Reforms, and Operational Readiness Amid Changing Global Landscape. 

Kolkata:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the 16th edition of the Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) in Kolkata, underscoring the importance of Jointness, Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), and Innovation in enhancing the operational readiness of the Indian Armed Forces. This biennial high-level event serves as a strategic platform where India’s top military leadership engages with the civilian leadership to shape the future trajectory of the country’s defence posture.

The theme of this year’s conference, “Year of Reforms – Transformation for the Future,” reflects the government’s continued push for comprehensive reforms aimed at modernising the Armed Forces to meet evolving security challenges.

During his address, the Prime Minister lauded the Armed Forces for the success of Operation Sindoor, highlighting their proactive role in various spheres of national and global importance — including anti-piracy missions, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, safe evacuation of Indian citizens from conflict zones, and contribution to national development initiatives.

Referring to 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’ in defence, the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Defence to move swiftly in implementing actionable steps to strengthen jointness among the services, promote indigenous defence capabilities, and encourage innovation as key enablers for future preparedness. He stressed the need for adaptive strategies to confront the “new normal” emerging from recent operations and changing global security dynamics.

The Prime Minister was also briefed on the current operational readiness of the Armed Forces, particularly in the context of lessons learned from Operation Sindoor and the implications of emerging technologies and tactics on future warfare. A comprehensive review of reforms implemented over the past two years and strategic plans for the next phase of transformation were also part of the deliberations.

The ongoing conference, spread over the next two days, will witness in-depth discussions on structural, administrative, and operational issues. The military leadership will conduct a holistic review based on feedback from various commands, focusing on force preparedness amid increasing global uncertainties and geopolitical shifts.

A key outcome of the discussions will be the formulation of a clear roadmap for the implementation of the Prime Minister’s vision — aimed at transforming India’s defence architecture into a more agile, joint, and future-ready force, rooted in self-reliance and driven by innovation.