Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), recently engaged with participants of the Joint Operations Capability Assessment Program (JOCAP-25) at Army War College, Mhow. During this interaction, he addressed several key aspects of India’s defence strategy in the face of evolving global security challenges.
The CNS provided a comprehensive analysis of the geopolitical uncertainties affecting military operations in today’s technologically complex battlefield environment. Throughout his address, Admiral Tripathi highlighted two fundamental principles that he considers essential for India’s defence preparedness:

First, he emphasized “Aatmanirbharta” (self-reliance), underscoring the importance of developing indigenous defence capabilities to reduce dependency on foreign technologies and equipment. This aligns with India’s broader national strategy of building domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.
Second, Admiral Tripathi stressed the critical importance of an integrated approach among India’s armed forces. He explained that in the current dynamic security landscape, collaboration between the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other security forces is not merely beneficial but essential for success in potential conflicts. This joint approach enables better utilization of collective capabilities and significantly enhances operational efficiency across all domains.

The Naval Chief also shared valuable leadership insights with the JOCAP participants, focusing on three critical aspects:
- The necessity for military leaders to demonstrate adaptability in rapidly changing scenarios
- The ability to make effective decisions under high-pressure situations
- The importance of developing and maintaining cohesive, well-trained teams
Admiral Tripathi concluded by noting that effective leadership is fundamental to creating a resilient and responsive military force capable of addressing challenges in an increasingly volatile global security environment.

This interaction at Army War College reflects the ongoing emphasis on jointmanship within India’s defence establishment as it continues to modernize its military capabilities while facing complex regional security challenges.