Fulfill the promises made on One Rank One Pension – Assurance given
by PM
Prime Minister
Narendra Modi assured the Commanders that he would do everything to fulfill the
promises made on One Rank One Pension; improving service conditions; and,
creating better safety nets and opportunities for services after retirement.
PM’s Address at the
Combined Commanders Conference
Prime Minister
Narendra Modi addressed the Combined Commanders` Conference 2014 in New Delhi
today.
Prime Minister said
that India`s Armed Forces, which represent the world`s largest democracy, were
second to none in professionalism, valour, commitment, service and duty. The
Armed Forces have always vindicated the faith and confidence that people of
India placed in them, whether it is for our nation`s security or for relief in
times of natural calamities. He thanked the Armed Forces for their
extraordinary service to the people during the floods in Jammu and Kashmir and
the cyclone on the East Coast. He paid tribute to the tradition and training
that inculcated the highest ideals and professional capabilities in our Armed
Forces. The nation`s trust was the biggest strength of our Armed Forces.
Prime Minister noted
that the world was looking at India with renewed interest, confidence and
excitement and there was a universal current of expectation from India to
emerge not only as one of the poles of the global economy, but also as one of
the anchors of regional and global security.
Prime Minister
emphasized that an atmosphere of peace and security was essential to enable
India to achieve its goals of economic development. For this purpose, he said,
his Government has focused on creating a favourable external environment and on
strengthening India`s security.
Prime Minister
outlined India`s key strategic and security challenges and priorities. He also
observed that in addition to the familiar challenges, India had to be prepared
for a changing world, which demanded new thinking on our part with regard to
economic, diplomatic and security policies.
Prime Minister noted,
that “beyond the immediate, we are facing a future where security challenges
will be less predictable; situations will evolve and change swiftly; and,
technological changes will make responses more difficult to keep pace with. The
threats may be known, but the enemy may be invisible. Domination of cyber space
will become increasingly important. Control of space may become as critical as
that of land, air and sea. Full scale wars may become rare, but force will
remain an instrument of deterrence and influencing behavior, and the duration
of conflicts will be shorter.”
Prime Minister assured
the Armed Forces of his commitment to provide adequate resources to ensure full
defence preparedness, overcome shortages and meet modernization needs. He also
asked the defence establishment, including the Armed Forces, to reform
procurement processes as also suggest corrective measures to avoid delays in
domestic development and production of defence equipment.
Prime Minister urged
the Armed Forces to focus on efficiency and economy in the use of resources and
our military assets, including by greater integration and sharing of resources
among the Services and draw up long term acquisition plans keeping in view
availability of resources, future operational requirements and technology
trends.
Prime Minister also
noted, “We should remember that what matters is capability of the force.” He
also said, “When we speak of Digital India, we would also like to see a Digital
Armed Force,” and asked the Services to give serious thought to upgrade
technological skills for effective projection of power by men.
The most important
task, Prime Minister observed, was to transform our defence forces. He called
for increased jointness and urged the three wings of the Services to work as a
team all the way from the lowest levels of the Services to the top. He
suggested a number of practical steps to achieve that goal. He also felt that Commanders
Conferences should be organized alternately on sea, in forward Army camps and
at air bases, and not just in Delhi. Prime Minister also assured the Commanders
that he would continue the practice that he had started of meeting the three
Chiefs at least once a month.
Outlining his vision
of expanding domestic defence industrial base, he stressed the important role
that the Services, as users, can play in this, both by committing to targets
for domestic procurement and participating in innovation and improvements in domestically
produced equipment.
Prime Minister also
mentioned that he attached the highest priority to the welfare of Armed Forces
personnel, both during and after their service careers. He assured
the Commanders that he would do everything to fulfill the promises made on One
Rank One Pension; improving service conditions; and, creating better safety
nets and opportunities for services after retirement.