New Delhi, 30 June (H.S.):

Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth formally assumed charge as the Chief of the Army Staff on Tuesday afternoon following the retirement of General Upendra Dwivedi. In his farewell address, General Dwivedi described serving as the Chief of the Army Staff as the greatest honour of my life and expressed gratitude to serving soldiers, veterans, their families, and the people of India for their unwavering support. Earlier in the day, he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns in New Delhi.

After handing over the command of the Indian Army to General Dhiraj Seth, General Dwivedi reflected on his more than four decades of military service, calling it the greatest privilege of his life.

Today, I am handing over this responsibility to General Dhiraj Seth. He is an experienced soldier and an outstanding leader. I am fully confident that under his leadership, the Indian Army will continue to uphold its glorious traditions, professionalism, and determination while reaching even greater heights. As I hand over the charge today, I have complete faith in the future of the Indian Army. It will remain steadfast in its traditions, stay vigilant in the face of current challenges, and remain prepared for every situation that may arise in the future, he said.

Addressing the farewell ceremony, General Dwivedi said he was filled with humility, gratitude, pride, and a deep sense of satisfaction as he concluded his tenure as Army Chief.

From my days at Sainik School to this moment, the journey has been unforgettable. Over the past two years, the Indian Army has maintained the highest levels of preparedness and vigilance across all fronts, including the successful execution of Operation Snow Leopard and Operation Sindoor, he said.

He also highlighted that stronger coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force had helped shape India's new normal in national security.

Under Operation Snow Leopard, our deployment along the northern borders has been defined by strength and vigilance. On the western front as well, the Army has discharged its responsibilities with utmost seriousness, professionalism, and restraint, he added.

Speaking about the evolving nature of warfare, General Dwivedi said future conflicts would increasingly be joint, integrated, and theatre-based.

Our direction is clear—see together, decide together, and act together, he said, emphasizing the importance of integrated military operations.

He further said that the Indian Army derives its strength not from any individual but from the unwavering trust and commitment of its soldiers, commanders, veterans, families, and the citizens of the country.

I pay tribute to every soldier of the Indian Army, including those who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, General Dwivedi said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar