New Delhi: Operation Sindoor, which was launched after the terrorist attack in Pehalgam, has forced a postponement of the Combined Commanders Conference (CCC) — a biennial event that brings together the country’s top military brass for discussions on issues related to the military and national security.
The CCC was originally scheduled to be hosted in Kolkata during late May or early June. According to military officials, the conference may be held in August or September this year although a particular date is yet to be decided upon.
The final date for the upcoming edition of the CCC will be decided only an assessment of the security situation over the next two to three months in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, which is currently on pause.
The event is usually attended by the prime minister.
The lessons from Operation Sindoor and the mutual co-operation between the three arms of the Indian Armed Forces during its joint execution are likely to be the principal points of discussion when the conference is eventually held.
The probable list of issues that may be discussed at the conference include motivation and combat leadership, the absorption of technology in the Indian Armed Forces amid the increasing use of new-age technologies in global conflicts, the Agnipath scheme and its future, as well as the current security situation and preparedness—particularly along the northern and western borders and in the northeast.
The last edition of the CCC was held in Bhopal during March 2023. During that conference, the top military brass discussed several issues including digitisation of data, challenges and opportunities posed by social media, defence exports, and the implementation of the Agnipath scheme.
Deliberations over reforms in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to enhance the capability development of the Armed Forces, and a review of Defence PSU reforms were also part of the menu.
The three services also hold their own service-specific commanders’ conference once every year. A two-day Joint Commanders’ Conference was held for the first time in Lucknow in September last year.
