Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra dwivedi on Saturday said the Indian Armed Forces are fully prepared for “Operation Sindoor 2.0” if the need arises, while emphasising that Operation Sindoor remains active with only a temporary cessation of hostilities currently in place.
Speaking to reporters after reviewing the Passing Out Parade of the 150th Course at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune, General Dwivedi highlighted the preparedness of the Army, Navy and Air Force and underscored the importance of joint operations and future warfare capabilities.
“Operation Sindoor is still continuing. There is a temporary cessation of hostilities. The Indian Army and all three services are preparing well for Operation Sindoor 2.0, if it takes place,” he said.
Focus on Jointness and Future Warfare
The Army Chief noted that modern warfare has evolved significantly, with technology making battlefields increasingly transparent and requiring greater caution in military operations.
According to him, armed forces must remain vigilant in troop deployment, operational planning and the protection of both military personnel and civilians living in border regions.
He stated that the three services are working to enhance synergy and interoperability, ensuring they are equipped to tackle emerging security challenges and next-generation warfare scenarios.
“Today, the battlefield is highly transparent. Every movement is visible to the other side, making it essential to carefully manage deployment, employment of forces and protection of troops and civilians,” General Dwivedi said.
Importance of Information Warfare
Addressing the growing significance of information warfare, the Army Chief stressed that public trust and national unity are critical to success in the information domain.
He said information campaigns can only be effective when citizens trust the institutions and stakeholders responsible for communicating facts and developments.
According to General Dwivedi, a nation that remains united and confident in its institutions is better positioned to overcome challenges during conflicts.
Theatrisation Process Moving Forward
Commenting on the proposed military theatre commands, General Dwivedi said the process of theatrisation is progressing as planned.
He revealed that discussions within the Chiefs of Staff Committee have been completed and a comprehensive report has already been submitted to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for further review by relevant stakeholders.
“As far as theatrisation is concerned, it is on the right track. All discussions have been completed within the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the report has been submitted to the Defence Minister,” he said.
The Army Chief explained that the proposed structure seeks to enhance operational efficiency through greater integration among the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Under the new framework:
- Service Chiefs will focus on force generation, readiness, training and sustenance.
- Theatre Commanders will be responsible for operational employment and coordination of forces.
- Joint planning and execution will improve military effectiveness during future operations.
General Dwivedi expressed optimism that the next phase of reforms under the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) would move the process forward and that the theatre command structure could begin taking shape on the ground within the next two to three years.
NDA Cadets Inspire Confidence
Reflecting on his own days as an NDA cadet, General Dwivedi recalled his association with Charlie Squadron, which emerged as the Champion Squadron during the current term.
He said visiting the squadron brought back memories of his training days and praised the enthusiasm, discipline and confidence displayed by the present generation of cadets.
The Army Chief remarked that the commitment and energy shown by young cadets provide confidence that future military leaders will continue to strengthen the armed forces and take the nation’s defence capabilities to greater heights.
He also appreciated the physical training demonstrations during the NDA events, describing them as a reflection of the institution’s continued excellence in shaping future officers of the Indian Armed Forces.
Strengthening India’s Defence Preparedness
General Dwivedi’s remarks come at a time when the armed forces are increasingly focusing on integrated operations, technological modernisation, information warfare capabilities and joint command structures.
The emphasis on preparedness, military synergy and theatre command reforms reflects India’s broader strategy to strengthen operational readiness and enhance national security in an evolving geopolitical environment.
