NEW DELHI:

Amid evolving geopolitical conflicts and rapid technological shifts across the globe, Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth has firmly asserted that physical territorial control remains the ultimate measure of military triumph. Speaking at a prominent defence summit in New Delhi, the Army Chief emphasized that despite the growing influence of digital narratives, information warfare, and high-tech innovations, land will always stand out as the singular, indisputable marker of success.

"Victory was, is, and will always be measured in territorial terms, and that territory will be occupied, secured, and defended only by the force," Gen Seth stated, underscoring the indispensable role of boots on the ground.

Addressing the impact of cutting-edge technology, the General noted that while tech advancements are effective at shortening individual battles, they do not necessarily shorten overall wars. He characterized contemporary conflicts as "wars with pause," where intermittent breaks in fighting are utilized strategically rather than signalling a definitive end to hostilities.

Highlighting the core driving force behind military effectiveness, Gen Seth introduced the vision of 'SAMARTH' to boost operational readiness. Breaking down the framework, he explained that 'S' stands for sustainability (enduring long conflicts), 'A' for adaptation, 'M' for mission-ready modernization, and the final 'A' for the acceleration and integration of advanced technologies with legacy systems.

The Army Chief also issued a strong call for indigenization, stressing that Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) acts as the ultimate deciding factor between victory and defeat during prolonged crises. He urged the defense ecosystem to focus heavily on domestic design, development, and manufacturing while guarding against "indigenous obsolescence"—the trap of weapons becoming outdated by the time they are deployed.

Reiterating his core philosophy of keeping the soldier at the forefront ("Yodha First"), Gen Seth concluded that capability development must constantly answer a fundamental question: how directly does it empower the soldier fighting on the ground?