Dissonance over theatrisation; will be resolved, says CDS

A difference of opinion over the proposed theatre commands surfaced among the armed services at the inaugural tri-service RAN Samwad seminar, with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan saying that the final decision will be taken keeping national interest in mind.

- BHASWAR KUMAR

In his concluding remarks on the second and final day of the seminar at the Army War College in Madhya Pradesh, the CDS highlighted the progress achieved in strengthening jointness and coordination between the Indian Army, Indian Air Force (IAF), and Indian Navy.

"As the CDS, I had set out to promote jointness among the three services," he said.

While the need to foster jointness and integration was broadly agreed upon by the scores of serving officers, experts, and veterans attending the seminar, the government's stated aim of reorganising the three forces by creating theatre commands prompted differing opinions.

Referring to this divergence in views, the CDS said that things had reached a stage where a highly conducive environment now exists for the forces to discuss their differences. "There could be a difference among the three services, yet we are able to listen to (differing) points. I think that this is very important."