NEW DELHI, February 6, 2026 — General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), addressed senior military leadership from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, alongside Secretary-level officers from the Ministry of Defence, during the fifth edition of the ‘Strategic Leadership Perspective Planning Programme’ held in New Delhi.
In a keynote address focused on navigating the complexities of a modern security landscape, the COAS underscored the urgent need for strategic alignment and adaptability within a VUCA–BANI (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous – Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, Incomprehensible) environment.
General Dwivedi emphasized the critical integration of DIME (Diplomacy, Information, Military, and Economics) and a “Whole-of-Nation” approach to bolster national security.
Highlighting the roadmap toward Viksit Bharat 2047, he called for enhanced tri-service jointness and the pursuit of technological sovereignty through sustained capability development, reiterating that achieving Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defense is essential for India’s long-term strategic autonomy and global standing.
