The new Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, today said, “the Army along with its sister services will unitedly deal with national security challenges and conflict situations.”
“My aim would be to enhance inter-service cooperation and synergy," he told reporters after an impressive Guard of Honour ceremony held at South Block in the national capital today.
The focus on fighting wars in an integrated manner echoes the vision of the late Gen. Bipin Rawat, who had been tasked with establishing integrated tri-service theatre commands, before his untimely death in a helicopter crash.
"It is a matter of immense pride and honour for me that I have been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Indian Army, which I accept with all humility. The Indian Army is fully committed to the values of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity."
Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar were also present at the Guard of Honour ceremony.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the top chiefs of security forces, Army Chief Pande said, "I have known the other two Service chiefs well. It is a good beginning of synergy, cooperation and jointmanship among the three Services. I assure you that all three of us will work together and take things forward in ensuring national security and defence."
All three Chiefs are now from the 61st National Defence Academy (NDA) course.
Army Chief General Manoj Pande on India-China border issue:
"We r very clear that we will not permit any change in the status quo & any loss of territory"
China must respect the boder rules, or get ready to face repercussions!!#ChinaExposed @kakar_harsha
pic.twitter.com/1hsGV0Ghg8— ManhasAnupama (@manhas_anupama) May 1, 2022
The newly appointed Army Chief further said that all officers of the Indian Army from its different arms and services get an equal opportunity for career and professional growth. "In senior leadership positions, all officers are trained and oriented on all aspects of warfighting."
General Manoj Pande took over as the 29th Chief of the Army Staff on 30 April 2022 from General Manoj Mukund Naravane, who superannuated after four decades of an illustrious career. He was the Vice Chief of the Army Staff from February 1, 2022.
The General was commissioned in December 1982 in the Corps of Engineers (The Bombay Sappers).
He commanded an Engineer Regiment during Operation PARAKRAM in the sensitive Pallanwala Sector of Jammu and Kashmir, along the Line of Control. The General Officer is a graduate of Staff College, Camberley (United Kingdom) and attended the Higher Command and National Defence College Courses.
In his four decades of distinguished military career, General Pande has held important and challenging command and staff appointments in different operational environments which include command of an Engineer Brigade in the Western Theatre, as part of Strike Corps, an Infantry Brigade along Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, a Mountain Division in the High Altitude Area of Western Ladakh and command of a Corps, deployed along the Line of Actual Control and in Counter Insurgency Operations area of Eastern Command.
His staff exposures include Brigade Major of a Mountain Brigade in the North East, Assistant Military Secretary in Military Secretary’s Branch, Colonel Q of a Mountain Division in High Altitude Area and Brigadier General Staff (Operations) at Headquarters Eastern Command.
He has also served as Chief Engineer in the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea. He has also tenanted the appointments of Additional Director General in the Military Operations Directorate at Army Headquarters, Chief of Staff Headquarters Southern Command and Director General Discipline Ceremonial & Welfare at the Army Headquarters. He was Commander-in-Chief Andaman & Nicobar Command from June 2020 to May 2021 and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command from June 2021 to January 2022 and
For his illustrious service, he has been conferred with the award of Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal. The General Officer is also The Colonel Commandant, The Bombay Sappers.
