As army chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi takes charge, what will be his top priorities?

On July 1, General Upendra Dwivedi touched the feet of family elders to seek blessings as he took charge as the 30th chief of the Indian Army, the world’s second-largest military force. A long list of priorities awaits Gen. Dwivedi in his two-year tenure at the helm of the 1.3 million-strong army. From modernisation of the force to inter-service jointness to border challenges posed by China and Pakistan, he has his plate full.

For the past two years, Pakistan has been pushing hard to revive militancy south of the Pir Panjal range, perceived as ‘peaceful’ areas in the Jammu sector on the Line of Control (LoC). By carrying out repeated strikes, terrorists and their handlers in Pakistan have tried to convey that they can disrupt peace in J&K at will. The Indian Army will need to enhance its counter-insurgency operations and intelligence capabilities to address this threat.

At the other border, on the icy Himalayan heights, the situation along with India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC) remains tense. Periodic military and diplomatic talks have not yielded complete disengagement of troops and equipment amassed in eastern Ladakh since May 2020, when Chinese soldiers were found to have transgressed the de facto border. Ensuring the Indian Army’s readiness and strategic posturing in the region will be a top priority.

Also, scaling up infrastructure along the China and Pakistan borders will be essential for quick mobilisation and deployment of troops and equipment. This includes improving and building roads, bridges and logistics capabilities in the high-altitude and remote areas.

In his first public comment, soon after inspecting the ceremonial guard of honour at the South Block lawns, Gen. Dwivedi emphasised on the need to equip troops with state-of-the art weaponry. He said the global geopolitical landscape was changing rapidly and technology was evolving very fast.

Having been in the infantry himself, Gen. Dwivedi will be expected to push infantry modernisation with acquisition of new assault rifles, carbines, bulletproof jackets, helmets and night-vision devices. Towards this, the F-INSAS (Future Infantry Soldier As a System) programme requires attention. Besides upgrading the existing artillery and armoured elements, acquiring new infantry fighting vehicles and light tanks for high-altitude warfare will also need to be looked into.

Promoting joint operations and integration with the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force to enhance overall combat effectiveness and operational synergy will also be a priority. “It will be my effort that with synergy between the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force and other stakeholders, we are always prepared for operations under the full spectrum of conflict,” said Gen. Dwivedi.

A review of HR policies, particularly the Agniveer recruitment scheme, would certainly require prompt attention. The army is already in the process of drawing feedback from stakeholders to overcome shortcomings in the scheme, which had faced criticism and promises of repeal by Opposition parties during the general election.

Making clear that Make in India weaponry will get a big push, Gen. Dwivedi said that to attain self-reliance, the army will encourage indigenous initiatives and induct more and more home-grown weapons systems. This, he said, will help secure India’s national interest and become a major pillar in nation-building towards Viksit Bharat 2047. “I assure the country and all Indians that the Indian Army is ready and capable to face all challenges,” he said.

Gen. Dwivedi hails from Madhya Pradesh, where he studied at the Sainik School in Rewa with classmate and the new navy chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi. Gen. Dwivedi went on to join the National Defence Academy in January 1981. He was commissioned into the 18th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles on December 15, 1984, which he later commanded in the Kashmir Valley and Rajasthan.

Gen. Dwivedi’s service records indicate a unique distinction of balanced exposure along the northern, western and eastern theatres, in varied terrain and operational environments, including deserts, high altitude, riverine, built-up areas, Northeast and J&K. He commanded his battalion in active counter-terrorist operations in Kashmir and in the Rajasthan desert.

Gen. Dwivedi is married to Sunita Dwivedi, a science graduate, who has been associated with Aarushi, an institute for special-ability children in Bhopal. The couple has two daughters, both working with NGOs. The army chief is also a skilled yoga practitioner.

Subscribe to India Today Magazine