General Bipin Rawat assumes charge as first Chief of Defence Staff today; says three services will work as a team and CDS will be neutral

After taking charge as the first Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Rawat said that all the three services will work as a team. “As per the task given to the CDS, to enhance integration and do better resource management will be a priority,” General Rawat said. He said Armed forces will be strengthened through synergy and integration.

General Rawat said CDS will be neutral to all three services. He also said that his focus as CDS will be to integrate the efforts of the three services and to work as a team.

Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria and Navy Chief Karambir Singh and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated General Bipin Rawat on taking over the charge as first Chief of Defence Staff and expressed delight on India getting its first CDS.

The Prime Minister said General Rawat is an outstanding officer who has served India with great zeal and wished him best for the new responsibility.

Prime Minister said, creation of the Department of Military Affairs with requisite military expertise and institutionalisation of the post of CDS is a momentous and comprehensive reform that will help country to face the ever-changing challenges of modern warfare.

The Prime Minister also paid homage to all those who have served and laid down their lives for the nation. He recalled the valiant personnel who fought in Kargil, after which many discussions on reforming the military began, leading to today’s historic development.