General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), conducted a visit to the forward areas along India’s western borders on Saturday, where he reviewed the operational preparedness of the frontline troops stationed in the region. The visit included a detailed inspection at the Headquarters of the Panther Division in Amritsar, a formation renowned for its historical contributions to India’s defence.
During his visit, General Dwivedi was briefed on the operational aspects and the prevailing security situation in the region. He interacted with the troops, commending their professionalism and steadfast commitment to safeguarding the nation. The COAS urged the soldiers to embrace cutting-edge technologies, aligning with the Indian Army’s transformation roadmap aimed at achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. This initiative emphasizes technological innovation and self-reliance, key pillars of India’s broader Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign.
The Panther Division, established in 1964, has a distinguished legacy, notably for hoisting the first Indian flag in Western Pakistan during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Over the decades, the division has played a crucial role in defending India’s borders while also contributing to nation-building through humanitarian efforts.
General Dwivedi’s emphasis on technology adoption reflects the Indian Army’s ongoing “Decade of Transformation” (2023–2032), a strategic roadmap to modernize India’s defense capabilities. As part of this initiative, the Army has already inducted 37 innovations and secured 25 intellectual property rights, underscoring its commitment to fostering indigenous solutions and building a robust defense manufacturing ecosystem. These efforts are poised to redefine India’s defense landscape by combining resilience, innovation, and self-reliance to strengthen national security.
The visit comes at a time when the Indian Army continues to prioritize operational excellence and modernization, ensuring that its troops remain well-equipped to address contemporary security challenges while contributing to the nation’s long-term development goals.
