On September 17, 2025, General Upendra Dwivedi, India’s 30th Chief of Army Staff since June 2024, visited the Likabali Military Station to evaluate the combat readiness of the formation amid ongoing tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The visit comes as over 60,000 troops remain deployed in the region following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, highlighting the strategic importance of Arunachal Pradesh near the disputed McMahon Line.
During the visit, General Dwivedi was briefed on operational matters, the internal security situation, and the integration of technology with other security agencies, as well as nation-building initiatives.
He commended the troops for their dedication and unwavering commitment in one of the most challenging terrains, while appreciating the formation’s innovative efforts to incorporate next-generation equipment into the security framework.
The review aligns with the Indian Army’s 2024 “Year of Tech Absorption” initiative, reflecting a broader push to modernize warfare capabilities. A 2023 RAND Corporation study supports this approach, indicating that tech-driven militaries can improve operational efficiency by up to 30% in rugged terrains like Arunachal Pradesh.
The focus on technological advancements underscores lessons from the 1962 Sino-Indian War, where terrain challenges significantly influenced military outcomes, a factor still relevant today as the Army enhances coordination with other security forces.
General Dwivedi’s visit reaffirms the Indian Army’s commitment to maintaining high readiness and adaptability along its northeastern borders, a critical front in the evolving geopolitical landscape.
