A day after assuming office as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff, General Dhiraj Seth met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday to discuss his roadmap for strengthening and modernising the Indian Army.
During the meeting, General Seth shared his strategic priorities for transforming the force into a technologically advanced, combat-ready military capable of addressing evolving security challenges.
Speaking after taking charge on July 1, the Army Chief described the Indian Army as a battle-tested force that remains fully prepared to safeguard the nation's interests. He stressed that rapid modernisation and technological advancement are essential to meet the demands of future warfare.
General Seth outlined his vision through the acronym "VIJAY," which represents the five core pillars of his leadership agenda.
V – Vigilance: Maintaining constant alertness along India's borders and ensuring a high state of operational readiness to counter conventional and emerging threats.
I – Innovation and Transformation: Promoting innovation in military doctrine and technology while driving organisational reforms to adapt to the changing nature of warfare.
J – Jointness and Integration: Enhancing coordination among the Army, Navy and Air Force to improve operational effectiveness. He also underscored the importance of a whole-of-nation approach, combining military and civilian capabilities to strengthen national security and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
A – Atmanirbharta: Accelerating the adoption of indigenous technologies and defence systems with the goal of winning future conflicts through home-grown solutions.
Y – Yodha First: Placing soldiers at the centre of the Army's transformation. General Seth said improving training standards, technological capabilities and the welfare of serving personnel, veterans and Veer Naris would remain among his highest priorities.
The Army Chief also paid tribute to his predecessor, General Upendra Dwivedi, and former Chiefs of the Army Staff for their leadership in shaping the Indian Army into a strong and respected institution.
Reaffirming the Army's commitment to national security, General Seth assured citizens that the force remains fully prepared to defend India's sovereignty, territorial integrity and strategic interests. He added that the Prime Minister's mantra of "JAI" for the Armed Forces would serve as the foundation of his "VIJAY" vision, with the guiding motto: "JAI se VIJAY."
