Rajnath works behind scenes for synergy in forces

NEW DELHI:With the highest-level of political will having been expressed about the need for the three services to operate jointly, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has been working behind the scenes with officials in the Ministry of Defence to study how it can be done in a smooth manner.

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 19

With the highest-level of political will having been expressed about the need for the three services to operate jointly, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has been working behind the scenes with officials in the Ministry of Defence to study how it can be done in a smooth manner.

The Minister, who has been meeting with experts has discussed the issue of powers of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the modalities of the post. A high-powered committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary is to submit a report on the powers and role of the CDS that was announced by PM Narendra Modi during his I-Day speech.

On Friday, addressing commanders of the Army, Rajnath called for ‘jointness’ among the three forces and termed it as an operational necessity. He even suggested the Army to take a lead towards achieving this and cited the soon-to-be-created position of the CDS for having a role in synergising the efforts of the three services.

The Minister is trying to enforce the political will of the government. Before he announced the CDS, the Prime Minister while speaking at the Kargil Vijay Diwas function on July 27 made it clear: “For the Army (armed forces) to be effective, jointness (is important). Regardless of the type or colour of the uniform, the purpose is the same”.

It time for the three forces to connect among each other in terms of action and systems, the PM said virtually laying down a template.

The requirement of the Joint Services Act, was discussed a few days ago at the Army commanders conference. At present, the three servies have their own Acts passed by Parliament.

Discussions have been carried out within the three forces on having a “joint command” structure. This is being opposed from within, by certain opinion with the Indian Air Force. The US has long followed such a structure and China has recently adopted it. A “theatre command” envisages integration of all military assets — Army, IAF and Navy — under one commander.