"Innovation in thought and action will drive our capability development": CDS General NS Raja Subramani
New Delhi, May 31
Assuming office as India's top military commander, Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani on Monday underscored his vision for a modernised and resilient military, stating that "innovation in thought and action" will drive the capability development of India's Armed Forces.
Addressing the media after assuming charge, the newly appointed CDS emphasised that collaboration between various sectors and the research ecosystem will be the key enabler for modernisation.
"Innovation in thought and action will drive our capability development. Greater collaboration between the military, the industry, academia, startups and the research ecosystem will be the key enabler for modernisation. Our Armed Forces have consistently demonstrated professionalism and operational decisiveness in safeguarding our national interests. We are committed to protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country," General Subramani said.
He also assured the country of the military's unwavering commitment to national defence, stating, "I assure the citizens of India that the Armed forces will continue to serve the nation with dedication, courage, honour, and professionalism."
General Subramani expressed his gratitude to his predecessors for laying a strong foundation.
"I express my sincere gratitude to late General Bipin Rawat and General Anil Chauhan, my illustrious predecessors, for their exemplary leadership and contribution in this journey," he noted.
The CDS further reiterated that the human resource component of the military--spanning active personnel, veterans, and military families--remains at the core of his administration's priorities.
"We acknowledge the courage and professionalism of our soldiers, sailors and air warriors. Their training and welfare will be our foremost priority. We hope we pay homage to our brave hearts whose valour, sacrifice and dedication to the nation continue to inspire us. We are committed to the welfare of our veterans and Veer Naaris," the CDS asserted.
Following his address, Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani proceeded to the National War Memorial in the national capital, where he laid a wreath to pay solemn tribute to the fallen heroes.
The newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General NS Raja Subramani was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block lawns in the national capital on Monday, marking the beginning of his tenure as the country's top military officer.
General Raja Subramani takes over the reins of the top military office from the outgoing CDS, General Anil Chauhan, who completed his tenure on May 30.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see a focus on human resource welfare, especially veterans and Veer Naaris. Our soldiers sacrifice so much, and the least the nation can do is ensure their families are taken care of. But I hope this isn't just empty rhetoric—implementation matters.
As someone who works in defense consulting, I can say this is exactly the direction India needs. The US has DARPA and strong university partnerships; India needs a similar ecosystem. But bureaucracy is the biggest hurdle—will this CDS have the authority to cut through it?
"Innovation in thought and action"—that's the phrase we need. Our defense forces are world-class in operations, but modernization has lagged due to import dependency. If General Subramani can truly bridge the gap between DRDO, startups, and the armed forces, it'll be a game-changer. Let's hope for concrete action, not just press releases. 🤞
Respect for acknowledging his predecessors, especially late General Rawat. The CDS position is still relatively new, and each officeholder has shaped it differently. I just hope the "collaboration" talk isn't just another committee that never meets. India's security challenges are too serious for that.
The focus on startups is particularly promising. India's defense startups like ideaForge and Tonbo are already doing great work. But the procurement cycle needs to be faster—small companies can't wait 3 years for a contract. Let's hope the new CDS creates a startup-friendly ecosystem within defense. 🌟
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