Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday, 30 May declared that self-reliance and innovation have become foundational pillars of India's military preparedness, invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's JAI framework — Jointness, Atmanirbharta and Innovation — as the compass guiding the Indian Armed Forces into the future. He was speaking at a press conference following his review of the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the 150th Course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune.

353 Cadets Graduate, Including 18 Women

General Dwivedi described the occasion as both proud and deeply personal, citing his long association with the NDA. 353 cadets, including 18 women cadets, graduated from the institution on the day. 'Today, 353 cadets are passing out from this great institution, including 18 women cadets. This is a proud moment for the Academy, the Armed Forces and the country,' he said. The Army Chief highlighted the growing participation of women in the defence forces as a reflection of changing national aspirations. 'This reflects the confidence of changing India and the expanding role of women in national Defence,' he added.

Operation Sindoor: A Benchmark for Integrated Warfare

Referring to India's military strike carried out on 7 May 2025 against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, General Dwivedi said the operation set a new standard for operational capability. 'Operation Sindoor demonstrated India's resolve and the Armed Forces' ability to deliver a calibrated, precise and purposeful response,' he said. He underlined that the operation validated the importance of integrated planning, real-time intelligence, precision targeting, robust air defence, secure communications, and cross-domain synergy — elements that will define future military engagements.

Multi-Domain Warfare and Modernisation Drive

The Army Chief warned that future conflicts would extend well beyond traditional battlefields, spanning land, air, sea, space, cyber, electromagnetic and cognitive domains. He said the Indian Army is actively transforming itself into a future-ready force, with the younger generation of officers and soldiers playing a pivotal role. Among the structural changes underway, General Dwivedi cited the raising of multi-drone battalions, Divyastra batteries, Shaktimaan regiments, and Bhairav battalions — all technology-enabled formations built from within existing resources. 'The next major step is networking and data centricity,' he stated.

Whole-of-Nation Approach to Atmanirbharta

General Dwivedi elaborated on the Army's collaborative strategy to achieve self-reliance, describing a whole-of-nation approach that brings together DRDO, industry, start-ups, academia, and national institutions. The goal, he said, is to convert indigenous ideas directly into battlefield capabilities. 'Our Prime Minister's mantra of JAI — Jointness, Atmanirbharta and Innovation — will continue to guide us,' he affirmed. This comes amid a broader national push to reduce dependence on imported defence equipment, with India's defence exports having grown significantly over the past decade.

Veterans, Nation-Building and the Road Ahead

Beyond combat, General Dwivedi emphasised the military's contributions to nation-building — encompassing border security, disaster relief, Army Goodwill Schools, support to citizens in remote regions, and youth engagement programmes. He also reaffirmed the Army's commitment to veterans, Veer Naris, and military families. 'Their dignity, welfare and honour will always remain our sacred responsibility,' he said. Concluding his address, the Army Chief urged the graduating NDA cadets to uphold the traditions of service, leadership and national commitment as they begin their careers. 'A strong military gives strength to the nation and a united nation gives strength to the military,' he said.