Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference at Fort William in Kolkata, urging India’s military leadership to focus on jointness, self-reliance and innovation to strengthen operational readiness.
The biennial conference, attended by the heads of the Army, Navy and Air Force along with senior officials from the defence ministry, serves as the apex forum for reviewing security challenges and shaping the country’s long-term military strategy. This year’s theme is “Year of Reforms – Transformation for the Future.”
Modi was briefed on operational preparedness in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, a recent large-scale exercise, as well as on the future of warfare shaped by emerging technologies. He also reviewed reforms carried out over the past two years and discussed the roadmap for further restructuring of the armed forces.
“The prime minister complimented the Armed Forces for their role in anti-piracy operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and the safe return of Indian citizens from conflict zones,” the defence ministry said in a statement. Modi called on the defence establishment to accelerate steps to improve coordination between the services and reduce dependence on foreign equipment.
The conference will continue for two days and is expected to assess structural, administrative and operational reforms, as well as India’s preparedness in the face of rising global uncertainties.
Analysts said Modi’s presence at Fort William, the Eastern Command headquarters, carried symbolic weight. A sitting prime minister has rarely attended the event at the historic Kolkata garrison, with the last such visit believed to have taken place in the 1970s.
The visit also came amid regional tensions. Nepal has recently witnessed violent protests while political unrest continues in Bangladesh, both of which share borders with eastern India. “The timing of the conference is geopolitically significant,” said a defence analyst, pointing to the security implications for states bordering the two neighbours.
Modi’s trip marked his fourth visit to West Bengal this year, ahead of the Durga Puja festival. While he did not address any political rallies in Kolkata, opposition parties accused him of mixing official duties with electioneering.
Before departing for Bihar in the afternoon, Modi met briefly at the airport with Sukanta Majumdar, former state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
