The Indian Army, in collaboration with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), conducted the Curtain Raiser of the Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025 (CDD-2025) today at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The Dialogue, scheduled for 27-28 November 2025, will be held on the theme “Reform to Transform: Sashakt, Surakshit aur Viksit Bharat.”

The event commenced with welcome remarks followed by the release of the CDD-2025 teaser. A Fireside Chat with the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi, was one of the key highlights of the programme. During the interaction, the COAS highlighted the linkage between national development and national security, noting that the aspirations of Viksit Bharat @2047 require sustained stability and a secure environment. He recalled the Ministry of Defence’s declaration of 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’ and underlined that security and development must advance together. Referring to Operation SINDOOR, he reiterated the national resolve against terrorism, emphasising that “blood and water cannot flow together” and that accountability is essential for those supporting terrorist activities. The COAS noted that the operation demonstrated India’s firm approach towards safeguarding national interests and strengthening regional stability.

A Special Address was delivered by Mr Rajiv Chandrasekhar, Former Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. He emphasised the strategic link between technological capability and national security, highlighting the importance of trusted, indigenous digital and emerging-technology ecosystems in strengthening India’s long-term self-reliance.

Panel Discussion: Atmanirbharta in Defence- Key to Sashakt Bharat

The panel discussion, chaired by Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Capability Development & Sustenance), brought together experts from DRDO, the defence industry and academia. Deliberations focused on Atmanirbharta as a pathway to strategic autonomy, emphasising indigenous design, development and innovation; strengthening dual-use technologies; ecosystem integration between DRDO, private sector and academia; reforms in procurement processes; and the role of MSMEs and Defence Industrial Corridors in building competitive and export-capable clusters. Discussions also highlighted the need for resilient supply chains, reduced external dependencies and accelerated development of India’s deep-tech ecosystem to address future operational requirements.

CDD-2025 will bring together national and international experts to deliberate on defence reforms, technological transformation, civil–military integration and India’s emerging security priorities in the run-up to Viksit Bharat @2047. As part of the broader series of engagements under CDD-2025, the Indian Army had also conducted the Young Leaders Forum on 31 October 2025, focusing on strategic awareness among youth.

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