Thu Sep 04 21:39:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address India’s top military leadership at the Combined Commanders’ Conference in Kolkata from September 15-17. This meeting marks the first major engagement following the successful Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Key topics will include the progress of integrated theatre commands, lessons learned from Operation Sindoor, and efforts towards defense self-reliance. The conference will also feature discussions on the development of indigenous weapon systems, and the progress of ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’ to develop an indigenous air defence system by 2035. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will also address the conference. The original conference scheduled for April was postponed due to Operation Sindoor.
**News Article:**
**Modi to Address Top Military Brass in Kolkata Amidst Defense Reforms**
**New Delhi, September 5, 2025** – Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the Combined Commanders’ Conference in Kolkata from September 15-17, marking the first significant gathering of India’s top military leaders since the successful completion of Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Sources indicate the Prime Minister will speak on the second day of the conference and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the third.
The conference is expected to focus heavily on the progress of higher defense reforms, particularly the creation of three integrated theatre commands aimed at improving synergy and operational efficiency across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), led by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, is diligently laying the groundwork for these commands, incorporating key lessons learned from Operation Sindoor.
“The operationalization of these theatre commands will fundamentally reshape India’s warfighting architecture, consolidating forces under unified command structures for specific geographical areas,” stated a source familiar with the matter.
The conference will also address efforts towards achieving self-reliance in defense manufacturing, including the development of indigenous weapon systems. In line with this goal, Mr. Modi announced ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’ this Independence Day to develop an indigenous air defence system by 2035. Progress on this project, as well as the recent approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for the procurement of 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF), will also be discussed.
Discussions held previously at the ‘Ran Samvaad’ at the Army War College, Mhow regarding the theatreisation of the armed forces, in which the Air chief and Navy chief had different views over the structure of the theatre commands, will be revisited.
Originally scheduled for April, the conference was postponed due to Operation Sindoor. This year’s meeting holds particular significance as India seeks to leverage its recent military successes and accelerate its journey toward a more integrated and self-reliant defense posture.
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