In the future, wars will become more collaborative, integrated, and theater-focused; therefore, the direction of the armed forces is clear – “to see together, decide together and act together,” outgoing Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said on Tuesday (June 30, 2026).
General Dwivedi, a veteran military leader with over 40 years of service, who retires on Tuesday (June 30, 2026), received a guard of honor as part of the farewell ceremony held on the lawns of South Block.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of the event, General Diwedi said, “Today, as I complete my term as Chief of Army Staff, I feel a sense of deep gratitude, pride and satisfaction.”
General Dwivedi took over as the 30th Chief of Army Staff in June 2024.
“The journey from Sainik School has been incredible so far. Serving in the Indian Army for over four decades has been the greatest happiness of my life,” he said.
The Indian Army derives its strength “not from one man, but from its soldiers, commanders, veterans, families and the unwavering faith of the citizens of the country,” the outgoing army chief said.
“I express my gratitude to the fallen heroes of our army,” he said.
Before the farewell ceremony, the Army Chief visited the National War Memorial where he laid a wreath in honor of the country’s brave hearts.
He told reporters that over the past two years, the Indian Army has gradually maintained its operational readiness on all fronts.
On the northern border, as part of Operation Snow Leopard, “our presence is strong and vigilant,” he said.
“On the western border, too, the army performed its duty with complete seriousness and readiness. Operation Sindoor is a shining example,” he said.
The head of the army emphasized that by working responsibly in the field of national security, the armed forces have “defined a new normal.”
According to General Diwedi, during Operation Sindoor in May 2025 in response to the Pahalgam attack, all three branches of the armed forces worked together and in an integrated manner.
“Coordination between the three services has been strengthened. The Army, Navy and Indian Air Force have worked together with a common mindset and integration,” he said.
“In the future, wars will be more joint, integrated and theater-oriented. So our direction is clear – to see together, decide together and act together,” he said.
A graduate of the Sainik School in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, General Dwivedi was commissioned into the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1984.
The General Officer is uniquely positioned to provide balanced command as well as staff coordination across the Northern, Eastern and Western theaters of operations in a variety of operational environments.
“Our resolute soldiers remain resilient in the mountains, deserts, glaciers, jungles and inhospitable border areas to protect the nation,” he said.
The outgoing Army Chief said that for any commander, “his strength is his soldiers, whose dedication, bravery and discipline are the hallmarks of the Indian Army.”
He said the brave soldiers of the Army played a key role in counter-terrorism operations.
From deployment with UN troops to participating in humanitarian relief and disaster relief operations, Indian soldiers have kept the country’s flag flying high, be it in the dense jungles of Congo or the earthquake-ravaged soil of Venezuela, General Dwivedi said.
Published – June 30, 2026 12:14 pm EST.