The creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to strengthen jointmanship and enhance the level of coordination among the armed forces was done keeping India’s geo-political role in mind, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday.
“The appointment of CDS is required by a country that aspires to be a $5-trillion economy by 2024-25. Keeping India’s geo-political role in mind it was a much-needed reform,” Mr. Singh told ex-Servicemen in Jaipur on the occasion of the Armed Forces Veterans’ Day.
The reforms were pending for decades, he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ushered in a bold reform since Independence by creating the post and a new Department of Military Affairs. Gen. Rawat who took over as the first CDS on January 1, was present at the interaction with the ex-servicemen.
