The absence of a National Security Strategy and revised Raksha Mantri’s Operational Directives means the Indian Armed Forces plan and operate in an ad hoc manner.
It seems CDS eligibility has been tweaked to pick a specific retired Lt Gen or Army Commander. The spin of 'deep selection' to find the 'meritorious' is just a charade.
Opening the choice for CDS outside of serving or ex-chiefs can unleash the demons of ambitions and cut-throat competition to impress the political leadership.
The forces fear the changes will lead to early retirement of talented individuals, retention of deadwood, and impact the forces negatively in the long run.
Former Army chief General Bipin Rawat was India’s first CDS and took charge on 1 January 2020. He passed away in a helicopter crash last month, along with 13 others.
India’s industrial output growth saw a 10-month low in June, with Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growing by mere 1.5% as against 1.9% in May 2025.
Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.
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