Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], September 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 16th Combined Commanders' Conference in Kolkata on Monday and lauded the Armed Forces for the success of Operation Sindoor as well as the integral role played by them in nation-building.

In line with 2025 being the 'year of reforms' in defence, the Prime Minister instructed the Defence Ministry to swiftly implement concrete steps to achieve greater Jointness, Atmanirbharta and Innovation to meet future challenges and to prevail against any eventuality.

Held once in two years, Combined Commanders' Conference is the apex-level brainstorming forum of the Armed Forces, that brings together the nation's top civilian and military leadership to exchange views and lay the groundwork for the future development of India's military preparedness.

The theme of the Conference is 'Year of Reforms - Transformation for the Future', in line with the ongoing modernisation and transformation of the Armed Forces.

The Prime Minister was briefed on the operational readiness of the forces in the context of the new normal created by Operation Sindoor, future of warfare in the context of emerging technology and tactics. Prime Minister also reviewed the reforms implemented in the last two years, and the plan for the next two years.

'Prime Minister complemented the Armed Forces for the success of Operation Sindoor as well as the integral role played by the Armed Forces in nation building, anti-piracy, safe return of Indian citizens from conflict zones as well as providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) assistance to friendly countries,' a Defence Ministry release said.

Over the next two days, the Conference would conduct a holistic review of various structural, administrative and operational matters based on feedback from across the forces, preparedness of the armed forces in the face of increasing global uncertainties, as well as discussions to develop the roadmap for implementation of the vision of the Prime Minister. (ANI)