GENERAL DHIRAJ SETH PAYS HOMAGE AT NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL, REVIEWS GUARD OF HONOUR AND OUTLINES PRIORITIES AS COAS
News Mania Desk/ 3rd July 2026
New Delhi, 01 July 2026
A day after assuming charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff, General Dhiraj Seth today paid solemn homage to the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation at the National War Memorial.
General Seth, who assumed the appointment of Chief of the Army Staff on the afternoon of 30 June 2026, laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and paid tributes to the fallen soldiers, whose courage, devotion to duty and selfless service continue to inspire generations.
Thereafter, the Chief of the Army Staff reviewed a Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns. Following the ceremonial Guard of Honour, General Seth addressed the media and outlined his priorities for the Indian Army.
In his media interaction, the Chief of the Army Staff said that it was a moment of great pride and humility for him to assume the responsibility of leading the Indian Army. He reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the ideals of “Duty, Honour and Nation First” and expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri for reposing their trust in him.
Paying tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives in the service of the nation, General Seth said that their courage, devotion to duty and selfless commitment would continue to inspire generations to come.
Describing the Indian Army as a combat-ready and battle-hardened force, the Chief of the Army Staff stated that the Army remains fully prepared and capable of meeting every challenge in the operational domain. He emphasised that, in view of the evolving security environment, the modernisation of the Army would be taken forward with renewed energy and firm resolve. The aim, he said, would be to build a technology-enabled, future-ready Army, capable of operating effectively across multiple domains.
General Seth outlined his key focus areas through the acronym “VIJAY”, drawing inspiration from the guidance of the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri under the Decade of Transformation.
Elaborating on “VIJAY”, the Chief of the Army Staff stated that “V” stands for Vigilance, with continued focus on maintaining constant alertness along the borders and against emerging threats, while ensuring a high level of operational readiness. “I” stands for Innovation and Transformation, with emphasis on innovation in doctrine, technology and capability development, in line with the changing character of warfare.
He further stated that “J” stands for Jointness and Integration, highlighting the need for complete synergy and coordination with the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. He underlined that national security is not limited to military strength alone, but requires military-civil fusion and a Whole-of-Nation approach. This integrated approach, he said, would also contribute to nation building and the national goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Referring to “A” for Atmanirbharta, General Seth said that the Army would continue to strengthen indigenous capabilities and technologies, with the larger aim of “Winning Our Wars with Indigenous Solutions.” Explaining “Y” as Yodha First, he said that from the Agniveer to the senior-most veteran, every soldier is a yodha and the greatest strength of the Indian Army. Enhancing the technological threshold and training standards of soldiers, along with the welfare, empowerment and professional growth of veterans and Veer Naris, would remain among his foremost priorities.
General Seth also paid his respects to General Upendra Dwivedi and all former Chiefs of the Army Staff, acknowledging their vision and leadership in shaping the Indian Army into a strong, resilient and trusted force.
The Chief of the Army Staff assured the citizens of the country that the Indian Army is, and will always remain, fully prepared to protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests of the nation.
Concluding his address, General Seth said that the mantra of “JAI”, given by the Hon’ble Prime Minister for the Armed Forces, forms the foundation of his priorities under “VIJAY” and would guide the Army towards success. His guiding motto, he said, would be: “JAI se VIJAY.”
