Strengthening India’s Defenses: Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi’s visit Wellington, Secunderabad

General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), is visiting Wellington and Secunderabad for three days from 25 to 27 March 2025. He will visit the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) and Madras Regimental Centre in Wellington, and the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME) and College of Defence Management (CDM) in Secunderabad.

Strengthening Command

On 25 Mar, General Upendra Dwivedi arrived at DSSC, Wellington. On 26 Mar, he addressed officers of the 80th Staff Course and DSSC faculty at Wellington on the changing security scenario, strategic anticipation, and the emerging technologies defining the future of the Indian Army. He also inspected training and administrative infrastructure at the Madras Regimental Centre with a focus on the adoption of technology in training to achieve better operational preparedness.

Enhancing Operational Readiness

Subsequently, General Dwivedi also toured MCEME, where he was informed of skill development opportunities in new age technologies. He appreciated the institution's initiative for promoting innovation in priority sectors including counter-drone systems, robotics, quantum technology, and AI. Acknowledging MCEME's initiatives towards self-reliance, he re-committed its efforts towards the cause of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Strategic Military Review

At a high-profile ceremony held at Secunderabad Cantonment, COAS awarded the Veterans Achievers Award to four veteran awardees—Lt Col Rajiv Sisaudia (Retd), Maj G Shiva Kiran (Retd), Capt Bandi Venu, and Nk Lingala Jagan Reddy (Retd)—for their exceptional services to society. He praised them for their commitment to veterans' welfare, greenery, and service to society and said that their altruistic service continues to be a source of inspiration.