Air Marshal Surat Singh, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Eastern Air Command (EAC), recently engaged in a significant dialogue with the Hon’ble Governor of Jharkhand, Shri Santosh Gangwar, during an official meeting at the Raj Bhavan. The focus of their discussions encompassed pivotal themes of national security and developmental initiatives, in alignment with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
The Governor extended a warm welcome to Air Marshal Surat Singh, recognizing the vital role the Indian Air Force (IAF) plays in safeguarding the country’s airspace, providing timely disaster relief, and fostering regional stability. He expressed his best wishes to the dedicated Air Warriors of the IAF, commending their professionalism, courage, and relentless commitment.
During the rendezvous, discussions honed in on the strategic importance of eastern India, a region confronted with multifaceted challenges, including border security and disaster management. Given Jharkhand’s wealth of mineral resources and its position as a crucial part of India’s industrial infrastructure, the dialogue underscored the essential synergy between security and developmental goals for the nation’s progress.
Air Marshal Surat Singh elaborated on the IAF’s proactive initiatives aimed at bolstering surveillance capabilities, enhancing rapid-response readiness, and fostering collaboration with civil authorities. He committed to ensuring the IAF’s ongoing support in humanitarian assistance efforts, particularly in disaster-prone areas, where air mobility is critical for saving lives.
The Eastern Air Command, with its headquarters in Shillong, oversees air operations across an extensive territory encompassing the eastern and northeastern states. Its strategic remit includes safeguarding borders with countries such as China, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, while maintaining operational readiness in regions marked by high geopolitical sensitivity.
The EAC has been a leader in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions, orchestrating flood relief, evacuations, and medical support in various eastern locales. Air Marshal Surat Singh reaffirmed the Command’s dedication to readiness against both conventional and non-traditional threats.
The meeting also contemplated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for Viksit Bharat by 2047, which frames security and development as mutually reinforcing pillars. The Governor emphasized that a secure environment is imperative for Jharkhand’s economic growth and industrial development, especially in sectors such as mining, steel production, and renewable energy.
Air Marshal Surat Singh remarked that the advancing capabilities of the IAF—marked by the inclusion of state-of-the-art aircraft and space-based surveillance—are in harmony with national development objectives, stressing that secure skies and swift mobility are crucial to India’s aspiration of becoming a developed nation.
In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the importance of fostering civil-military cooperation. Both leaders expressed their commitment to collaborate effectively for the security, development, and well-being of the people in Jharkhand and the broader eastern region.
