A significant meeting of senior officers from the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy was held at Vijay Durg, the headquarters of the Indian Army’s Eastern Command in Kolkata. The purpose of this gathering was to discuss critical issues concerning operational readiness, jointness, and integration among the three services, reflecting ongoing initiatives to enhance synergy within the Indian Armed Forces. This effort is part of a broader agenda for military reforms aimed at strengthening national defense capabilities.
The meeting was hosted by Lieutenant General RC Tiwari, the Army Commander of the Eastern Command. High-ranking officials in attendance included Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command; Air Marshal Surat Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command; Air Marshal Rakesh Sinha, Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff; and Commodore Ajay Yadav, Naval Officer-in-Charge for West Bengal. The discussions among the officers focused on bolstering coordination and interoperability across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, which are indispensable for addressing the complexities of modern warfare and ensuring national security.
The venue for the meeting, Vijay Durg, which was previously known as Fort William until its recent renaming in February 2025, reflects a significant shift in India’s approach to its military identity. The renaming initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to move away from colonial legacies while emphasizing military unity. The transformation of Fort William, a historic British-era military stronghold, to Vijay Durg—a name meaning “Fort of Victory”—is seen as an important step in reclaiming India’s cultural heritage and asserting national identity. However, the decision has elicited mixed reactions; while some view it as a powerful symbol of post-colonial pride, others question the implications of altering historically significant landmarks.
Additionally, the meeting aligns with the Indian Armed Forces’ ongoing transition towards Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs), a significant military reform designed to create unified operational structures across services. The concept of ITCs has gained traction since the establishment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) role in January 2020, with the CDS and tri-service organizations like the Integrated Defence Staff playing vital roles in fostering jointness and cooperation among the branches of the armed forces. Recent reports indicate that the proposal for ITCs is nearing formal maturity, with 2025 designated as the “Year of Reforms” by the Ministry of Defence. This initiative emphasizes not only theatre commands but also critical areas such as cybersecurity, space, and innovative technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics.
The discussions at Vijay Durg build upon a history of tri-service collaboration, including a joint combat display observed by Lt Gen Tiwari, Air Marshal Singh, and Commodore Yadav in March 2025. This event showcased effective coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force, reinforcing their collective readiness to address multi-dimensional threats faced by the nation.
As India continues to modernize its military framework, meetings like that at Vijay Durg signify a strong commitment to fostering unity and operational efficiency within the armed forces, ultimately ensuring a robust defense posture well-equipped to meet contemporary challenges.
