Prime Minister Narendra Modi began the third day of his visit to West Bengal by inaugurating the three-day 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference in Kolkata. During the event, he outlined his vision for India’s armed forces, offering encouragement and setting expectations for a strong and promising future.
The PM visited Kolkata on September 14 and 15 after his whirlwind trip to Manipur, Mizoram, and Assam. He arrived in Kolkata on September 14 from Jorhat in Assam after launching developmental projects there. This visit to West Bengal, marking his second visit in less than a month, is a crucial moment as the state is just a year away from the 2026 Assembly elections.
From the airport, Modi was greeted by enthusiastic BJP workers and supporters who lined the streets with drums and slogans. Responding to their welcome, the Prime Minister stopped his convoy, stepped out of his car, and waved before proceeding to Raj Bhavan, where he stayed overnight.
He inaugurated the 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference 2025 at around 9:30 a.m. on Monday, September 15. The three-day conference, scheduled from September 15 to 17, was also attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and several other dignitaries.
The Combined Commanders’ Conference, held once every two years, is the apex-level brainstorming forum of the Armed Forces. It 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 this year’s conference is ‘Year of Reforms – Transformation for the Future’, reflecting on the Armed Forces’ modernisation and transformation over the years. Modi praised the country’s resilient armed forces for their success in Operation Sindoor, along with their significant contributions to internal security, nation-building, anti-piracy operations, the safe return of Indian citizens from conflict zones, and providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to friendly countries.
