Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation’s top military leadership at the Combined Commanders’ Conference, scheduled for the third week of September in Kolkata. This will be the first such conference after the major success of Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, making it a landmark gathering for India’s defence establishment.
The biennial conference will bring together the commanders of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with senior Defence Ministry officials, to deliberate on key national security issues.
According to defence sources, the Prime Minister is expected to lay out his vision for the future of the armed forces, with a special focus on the creation of Theatre Commands to streamline joint operations. The Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), under Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, has been tasked with incorporating lessons from Operation Sindoor into the proposed command structures. The Theatre Commands are planned in Jaipur, Prayagraj, and Karwar, responsible for India’s western, northern, and maritime fronts respectively.
Another major theme will be the expansion of indigenous defence capabilities under the Make in India initiative. Commanders will present an evaluation of indigenous systems used in Operation Sindoor—including BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and loitering munitions like the Nagastra—and outline future development programs. Selected indigenous platforms may also be showcased during the conference.
The role of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, led by the CDS, is also expected to be enhanced, further strengthening inter-service coordination.
This year’s event marks the first time the Combined Commanders’ Conference will be held in Kolkata, adding historical significance to an already crucial forum for India’s defence and security roadmap.
