New Delhi: Outgoing Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi officially relinquished command on Tuesday, concluding a distinguished military career spanning over four decades. During a ceremonial farewell held on the lawns of South Block, where he was accorded a traditional guard of honour, General Dwivedi formally handed over the leadership of the Chief of the Army Staff to his successor, General Dhiraj Seth. Reflecting on his tenure, which began in June 2024 as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff, General Dwivedi expressed profound gratitude, pride, and satisfaction regarding his service, noting that the journey from his beginnings at Sainik School to leading the nation’s land forces had been the greatest privilege of his life.
Prior to the formal change of command, General Dwivedi visited the National War Memorial in New Delhi to lay a wreath and pay solemn tribute to the country’s fallen heroes. In his final media briefing, he emphasised that the true power of the Indian Army resides in its collective strength—drawn from dedicated soldiers, field commanders, veterans, families, and the unwavering faith of the citizens—rather than any single individual. He observed that over the past two years, the military had progressively enhanced its operational readiness and vigil on all fronts, maintaining an assertive stance through challenging global and regional shifts.
Highlighting significant milestones, General Dwivedi pointed to the firm, alert deployments along the northern border under Operation Snow Leopard and the robust response along the western front. He specifically singled out Operation Sindoor, launched in May 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attacks, as a defining moment that showcased unprecedented cross-service coordination. The operation served as a real-world validation of multi-domain integration, where the Army, Navy, and Air Force operated under a shared strategic vision, leveraging cyber, electronic, and conventional forces to control escalation while delivering precise, measured outcomes.
Looking toward the future of national security, General Dwivedi stated that upcoming conflicts will demand an even higher degree of jointness, integration, and theatre-oriented planning. He explained that the modern battlefield has become entirely transparent, requiring a definitive operational philosophy centered around joint observation, integrated decision-making, and collective action. Expressing complete confidence in the incoming leadership, the outgoing chief affirmed that under General Dhiraj Seth, a highly seasoned and capable leader, the Indian Army will continue to adapt to new-age technological warfare while strictly upholding its glorious traditions and commitment to protecting the nation’s sovereignty.
