Rajnath Singh Urges Armed Forces To Counter Invisible Unconventional Threats

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called on India's Armed Forces to transcend conventional warfare paradigms and prepare for "invisible challenges" from unconventional domains like information, ideological, ecological, and biological warfare, emphasising the rapid evolution of global conflicts. Addressing the ongoing 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) 2025 here, Singh highlighted how recent international skirmishes have reinforced the imperative for a "technology-friendly" military capable of addressing unpredictable threats. The three-day tri-service conclave, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday at the Eastern Command headquarters in Fort William, focuses on jointness, self-reliance, and innovation amid a volatile security environment marked by regional instability and geopolitical shifts.

Singh stressed the need for continuous global assessments to safeguard India's security architecture, noting that modern wars are "sudden and unpredictable", potentially lasting from months to years. "We need to ensure that our surge capacity remains sufficient," he said, urging proactive readiness. He praised the forces for their "outstanding performance" in Operation Sindoor, a May 2025 tri-service operation launched post the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists. The punitive strikes targeted terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and into Pakistan, demonstrating precision and self-reliance through indigenous platforms. "Strength, strategy, and self-reliance are the three pillars that will give India the power it needs in the 21st century," Singh affirmed, linking it to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The minister advocated building the 'Sudarshan Chakra', a comprehensive air defence system envisioned by Modi, describing India's defence posture as a blend of offensive and defensive strengths. A dedicated committee is formulating a realistic action plan, with medium-term (five-year) and long-term (ten-year) strategies to realise it. Singh underscored inter-service synergy and collaboration with other agencies as "essential" for future resilience, commending the forces' exemplary professionalism.

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The conference, attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, the three service chiefs—Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi (Navy), General Upendra Dwivedi (Army), and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh (Air Force)—Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and other senior officers, builds on Modi's directives for enhanced joint operations and technological edge. It aligns with broader reforms to counter emerging threats, ensuring India's military remains agile in an era of hybrid warfare.

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