Outgoing Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday described his more than 40-year journey with the Indian Army as the “greatest privilege” of his life as he formally handed over the charge of Chief of the Army Staff to General Dhiraj Seth. During his farewell ceremony, General Dwivedi expressed his deep gratitude towards serving soldiers, veterans, military families, and citizens of the country for their constant support and trust. Before the ceremony, he paid tribute to fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.

Reflecting on his tenure, General Dwivedi said he was leaving the post with a sense of humility, pride, satisfaction, and gratitude. He recalled his journey from Sainik School to becoming the Army Chief as an unforgettable experience and said that serving the Indian Army for over four decades was the biggest honour of his life.

He highlighted that the strength of the Indian Army comes from the dedication of its soldiers, leadership of its commanders, contributions of veterans, support of families, and the faith of the people of India. He also paid tribute to soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice while serving the nation. Speaking about the Army’s operational readiness during his tenure, General Dwivedi said the force maintained a high level of preparedness and alertness across all fronts. He referred to operations including Operation Snow Leopard along the northern borders and Operation Sindoor on the western front as examples of the Army’s commitment, discipline, and capability.

The outgoing Army Chief also underlined the growing importance of coordination between the three armed forces — the Army, Navy, and Air Force. He said enhanced jointness and cooperation among the services have become an important part of India’s national security approach. General Dwivedi stated that future conflicts will increasingly require integrated planning and joint operations, with the focus being on working together through a shared vision. He emphasised the need for the armed forces to “see together, decide together, and act together” to address future challenges.

While handing over command to General Dhiraj Seth, General Dwivedi expressed confidence in his successor’s leadership abilities. He described General Seth as an experienced soldier and capable commander, saying he was confident that the new Army Chief would lead the force towards greater achievements while preserving its traditions, professionalism, and operational preparedness. General Dwivedi concluded that the Indian Army would continue to remain committed to its values, stay prepared for emerging security challenges, and uphold its responsibility towards protecting the nation.