Why military theatre commands resonate with ‘Viksit Bharat’
At the Joint Combined Commanders Conference in Lucknow, Chief of Defence Staff Chauhan delivered a presentation to Commanders-in-Chief on military theatre commands.
When Narendra Modi assumed office as Prime Minister in May 2014, the military chiefs met with the newly elected leader and invited him to various service functions. Several months later, the military leaders raised a polite complaint about his attendance at one service event but not the other. PM Modi reportedly stated that he regards the Indian armed forces as united under the Indian flag, without differentiation based on service branch.
Since the beginning of his tenure, PM Modi has been dedicated to promoting integration and collaboration among the armed forces. However, the process of familiarizing the military with the upcoming shift to theatre commands has been gradual and methodical, with Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan demonstrating patience throughout. At the Joint Combined Commanders Conference in Lucknow on September 4, CDS Chauhan presented on military theatre commands to Commanders-in-Chief and addressed their inquiries.
The draft plan for theatre commands is prepared and pending political approval following proper procedures, despite reluctance from the legacy-bound traditional establishment. The military leadership in India views the primary role of the armed forces as defending Bharat against external threats and serving as a tool for diplomatic coercion and military diplomacy.
Meanwhile, the political leadership is gearing up the armed forces for the 'Viksit Bharat' era, during which India's interests will extend beyond its current horizons and frontiers. In a manner akin to China's growing influence on the global stage, the vision of 'Viksit Bharat' is to equip India with the necessary capabilities for international participation and development during this transitional period. The recruitment of 55 officers into the Indian Foreign Service this year indicates that the Modi administration is positioning India for an expanded diplomatic role ahead. The theater commands are essential components of the plan for addressing future conflicts in the region and beyond across all four dimensions, including space.
During the Lucknow conference, Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen R C Tewari briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the Chinese PLA's activities against India and the situation along the Line of Actual Control in the Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh sector. The Western Theatre Command of China has positioned over one hundred thousand PLA soldiers and heavy equipment along the 3488 km Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India since the Chinese aggression in East Ladakh in May 2020. In addition to disengagement from friction points in East Ladakh, the de-escalation of forces has yet to occur, as PLA forces remain deployed forwardly in the sector. The sole encouraging development is the ongoing discussions between both diplomatic and military parties.
The political turmoil in Bangladesh has raised concerns among Indian military officials, particularly due to the presence of the PLA on one side and radical Islamists from groups like Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefazat-e-Islam, and Ansar Bangla Team on the other side of the narrow Siliguri corridor. Considering the historical connections between BNP and the Pakistani military and government, Indian forces must be prepared for any potential adverse situations. The current administration in Bangladesh remains unable to establish law and order, as daily attacks on minority Hindus persist and the influence of Islamists appears to be growing. Against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, the Indian military requires enhanced operational effectiveness, necessitating the removal of outdated imperial legacies. The only solution lies in military theatre commands equipped with specialized intelligence collection and utilization.
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