Defence Preparedness in Focus as PM Modi Reviews Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) Meet in Kolkata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) today at the Eastern Command Headquarters (Vijay Durg) in Kolkata, kicking off a three-day high-level strategic dialogue focused on defence preparedness, military transformation, and national security priorities.

This year’s conference — being held from September 15 to 17 — is themed “Year of Reforms – Transforming for the Future,” underscoring the Indian Armed Forces’ shift toward modernisation, integration, and long-term strategic capability. The CCC is the highest-level forum for dialogue between the political leadership and military top brass, held once every two years, and plays a key role in shaping India’s defence outlook.

In his address, Prime Minister Modi called 2025 the ‘Year of Reforms’ in defence, directing the Ministry of Defence to accelerate efforts towards deeper jointness among the services, boost indigenous defence production under Aatmanirbharta, and foster innovation to tackle emerging security challenges.

The Prime Minister also praised the Armed Forces for the successful execution of Operation SINDOOR, and commended their role in a wide range of missions — from nation building and anti-piracy operations, to the safe evacuation of Indian citizens from conflict zones, and the delivery of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to partner nations.

PM Modi unveiled the Indian Armed Forces Vision 2047, a strategic roadmap for transforming the military into a future-ready force capable of operating effectively across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains. He emphasized the importance of agility, adaptability, and advanced technology in ensuring India’s defence posture remains robust in an increasingly complex global environment.

The conference is being attended by key national security stakeholders including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and the Chiefs of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

As per the agenda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to address the commanders on September 16, while CDS General Anil Chauhan will speak on September 17, bringing deeper insights into policy direction and inter-services coordination.

Hosting the CCC in Kolkata, the headquarters of India’s Eastern Command, highlights the strategic importance of the country’s eastern frontier and maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific. The venue reflects India’s growing emphasis on regional dynamics, border security, and integrated theatre operations.

Throughout the three-day event, military leaders will present strategic assessments, review operational preparedness, and discuss ongoing and future reforms across the services. Topics include inter-service integration, infrastructure development, innovation in defence technologies, logistics optimisation, and threat management in a multi-domain environment.

The Combined Commanders’ Conference 2025 is expected to significantly contribute to aligning India’s defence vision with global realities, reinforcing the Armed Forces’ commitment to safeguarding national interests in the decades to come.