India's top security officials discuss preparedness

New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) Plans for deeper operational synergies among the Indian Army, the Navy and the Air force, joint issues between civil and military officials and India's military preparedness were were discussed in a two-day conference between the country's top security managers here.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, her deputy Subhash Bhamre, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, his deputy Pankaj Saran, Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Air Force head Air Marshal B.S. Dhanoa, Naval chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and other senior military and civil officials of the services and the ministry attended the Unified Commanders' Conference that ended on Tuesday.

The meeting provided a platform for discussions at the apex level on "all joint issues" amongst the three services and the Defence Ministry, an army spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the Defence Minister complemented the Services for their performance and achievements in the past year and stressed on the need for greater synergy and jointmanship amongst the Services as well as between the Services and the ministry.

She assured the Services that their preparedness would be the top priority for the government.

Besides Admiral Lanba, Air Marshal Dhanoa and General Rawat, Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and Chief of Integrated Staff Lt. Gen. Satish Dua also addressed the conference.

During the annual conference, under the chairmanship of Lt. Gen. Dua , a host of issues related to tri services were "deliberated thoroughly to facilitate future plans... for an integrated robust defence preparedness", the spokesperson.

The scope of the annual conference was enhanced this year to enable the forum to facilitate joint stock taking of the previous year's performance of all Services & Departments of Ministry of Defence and jointly chart the course for the next year.