India's Armed Forces to Play Bigger Role in National Growth, Says Gen Pande

Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande emphasised the importance of the armed forces' role in India's growth and security during the second Lt Gen P S Bhagat Memorial Lecture at Manekshaw Centre. He highlighted the need for the armed forces to contribute to India's development while ensuring national security. Gen Pande also discussed the ongoing transformation of the Indian Army, focusing on force restructuring, modernisation, technology infusion, human resource management, and jointness and integration.

Gen Pande praised Lt Gen Bhagat as a visionary who foresaw China's strategy against India. He cited Bhagat's writings on the Chinese Mind and his accurate prognosis of India's northern adversary. Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Lt Gen (retd) K T Parnaik, spoke about the challenges faced by India along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and called for new agreements that can be implemented with clarity.

Lt Gen Bhagat was the first Indian officer to win the Victoria Cross during World War II. Born in October 1918, he was awarded the prestigious decoration by then Viceroy of India Lord Linlithgow in 1941. The Victoria Cross is the highest honour for valour, awarded for extreme bravery in the face of the enemy.

Gen Pande acknowledged India's remarkable journey of progress and development, with rising aspirations of its citizens. He stressed that as India's interests expand across strategic horizons, it is crucial for the armed forces to be responsible not only in the security domain but also in contributing to national growth.

The Arunachal Pradesh governor also emphasised the need for modernisation of the armed forces and developing military strengths and capabilities. He highlighted new domains such as space, cyber, electromagnetic spectrum, and information systems that are transforming warfare with increased lethality.