The 16th edition of the Combined Commanders Conference (CCC) was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 15. This. This is a biennial conference which aims at reviewing the National Security paradigm, besides an amalgamation of the joint National Security Apparatus. This three-day event is being held from 15-17 Sep 25 the Eastern Command Headquarters of the Indian Army at Vijay Durg in Kolkata. Defence minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, CDS Gen Anil Chauhan along with the three Service Chiefs and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

In a significant development from the past, the scope of the conference has been expanded this year, wherein, a few multi-layered and interactive sessions were conducted with participation of soldiers from every command of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, including the Tri-Services Strategic Forces Command as well as Andaman and Nicobar Command.

The previous edition of Combined Commanders Conference (CCC) was held in 2023 in Bhopal. The theme of the conference was ‘Ready, Resurgent, Relevant’. The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Year of Reforms – Transforming for the Future.’ It will focus on the reforms, transformation, change, and operational preparedness of the armed forces. This conference assumes pivotal importance as it takes place with Operation Sindoor in continuum and post Indian strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan in response to the deadly Pahalgam attack in which 26 people were killed. 

The Prime Minister called upon the three Services to stay ready to deal with these new and emerging threats, emphasising that all steps are being taken to equip the Armed Forces with necessary weapons and technologies. Amongst various issues up for discussion,” Theaterisation of Commands” is likely to come up again in addition to usage and infusion of technology in conventional and hybrid warfare in this present era of upheaval in the security calculus of the region, this conference assumes pivotal importance with aaspects of digitisation, narrative management, cyber security, challenges with respect to social media, streamlining procurement processes, indigenisation and jointness. 

The Combined Commanders Conference not only looks at the security calculus along the borders but is an important platform to ideate, predict and find viable solutions for prospective security problems. This important waypoint will not only energise the security ecosystem but will provide a viable platform for civil-military fusion at the highest level, besides putting forth the viewpoints on internal security parameters.

India has a unique set of security challenges in the neighbourhood today, besides the traditional boundary disputes. A synergy of all security stakeholders with a whole of nation approach will thereby be critical to achieve lasting peace and victory in all conflicts, as the country races to be the third largest economy in the world.

Col Anurag Awasthi (R)

With 30 years in the Army and corporate world, Col Anurag Awasthi is a semiconductor policy expert, public speaker, and columnist, driving strategic tech initiatives across government, academia, and global forums.