Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) at the Army’s Eastern Command headquarters in Kolkata, and urged the armed forces to pursue “greater synergy, atmanirbharta and innovation” as part of the government’s push to make 2025 the “year of reforms” in defence.

The PM was briefed on operational readiness in the context of the “new normal” created by Operation Sindoor and on the future of warfare amid emerging technologies and tactics. He also reviewed reforms undertaken over the past two years and the roadmap for the next phase.

Held once every two years, the conference is the apex forum that brings together the nation’s top civilian and military leadership to chart the path of India’s defence preparedness, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement, adding the 2025 edition is being held under the theme ‘Year of Reforms – Transformation for the Future’.

“The conference will conduct a review of structural, administrative and operational issues, including preparedness in the face of global uncertainties. It will also draw up a roadmap for implementing the Prime Minister’s vision. Deliberations are being held on a wide range of strategic issues – including force modernisation, jointness, integration and enhancing operational readiness for multi-domain warfare,” The statement said.

Modi complimented the armed forces for the success of Operation Sindoor and their role in nation-building, anti-piracy missions, safe return of Indian citizens from conflict zones and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in friendly countries. He instructed the Defence Ministry to take concrete steps to meet future challenges.

The conference is being attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Tri-service chiefs and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, among others.

It was last held in Bhopal in 2023, which was inaugurated by Modi.

The PM, who arrived in Kolkata on Sunday evening from Assam, left the city in the afternoon for Purnea in Bihar.

This was Modi’s fourth visit to Bengal in the past five months and the second within a month.

— PTI inputs