Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Army Training Command (ARTRAC), recently delivered a significant address on “Military Leadership in the 21st Century” at the Indian Naval War College. The event took place as part of the NHCC-38 program, which highlights the increasing emphasis on jointness and cross-service learning within India’s military education system.
In his address, Lt Gen Sharma articulated that success in modern warfare is predicated on the emergence of visionary, adaptive, resilient, and technology-savvy military leaders. He recognized that the nature of contemporary conflict is rapidly transforming due to advancements in technology, the importance of information dominance, and the complexities of multi-domain operations.
The Army Commander stressed that while new technologies and strategic doctrines are imperative for military efficiency, fundamental qualities such as character, courage, and empathy remain essential. These enduring values must be harmoniously integrated with forward-thinking leadership, technological expertise, and cognitive capabilities to develop innovative, agile, and effective warfighting tactics.
Further advancing his theme, Lt Gen Sharma asserted that senior military leaders hold a crucial responsibility to maintain the trust vested in them by the nation, their personnel, and civilian authorities. He encouraged officers to cultivate intellectual curiosity, embrace change, and support a culture of innovation, all while embodying ethical leadership and a human-centric approach to command.
The interaction during the session reinforced the vital role of joint professional military education in preparing officers from various Services. It promotes an environment where diverse perspectives can be shared, allowing for collective preparation for integrated operations in increasingly complex security landscapes.
Ultimately, the lecture underscored ARTRAC’s commitment to developing future-ready military leaders who can effectively navigate cross-domain challenges and forge strong alliances—all while remaining grounded in the core values of the Indian Armed Forces.
