CDS stresses non-nuclear strategic deterrence

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Anil Chauhan called for a transformative shift in India’s military doctrine, urging the Indian Armed Forces to transition from net-centric operations to Intelligent Warfare, and to evolve beyond Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) toward All Realm All Domain Operations (ARADO). He was delivering the inaugural address at the annual seminar hosted by the College of Defence Management (CDM) in Secunderabad on February 24, 2026.

Addressing the theme ‘Multi-Domain Integrated Technologically-Empowered Resilient Armed Forces (MITRA)’, the CDS underscored that warfare is expanding beyond traditional physical battlefields into synthetic and cognitive realms. He described the current phase as the “Third Revolution in Military Affairs,” driven by what he termed Convergence Warfare—the fusion of contact and non-contact engagements, kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities, and integration of legacy and emerging domains across all levels of conflict.

General Chauhan emphasized that future conflicts would demand seamless integration across land, sea, air, space, cyber, and cognitive domains. He stressed the need to build credible non-nuclear strategic deterrence, ensuring the capability to prevail at every rung of escalation without necessarily crossing the nuclear threshold.

The two-day seminar, held on February 24–25, 2026, was conducted with the Indian School of Business as the Knowledge Partner. The MITRA framework envisions armed forces that are multi-domain in vision, integrated in action, technology-empowered in execution, and resilient in purpose—reflecting the growing complexity of the geopolitical and technological landscape.

The seminar served as a strategic platform to align contemporary lessons from global conflicts with India’s unique operational environment. Deliberations focused on advancing self-reliance, accelerating structural reforms, leveraging emerging technologies, and strengthening comprehensive national power. Senior defence officials, scholars, industry leaders, and practitioners participated in discussions aimed at enhancing India’s preparedness for future contestations.

Established in December 1970, the College of Defence Management is a premier tri-service institution dedicated to equipping military leaders with contemporary management concepts and best practices. Over the decades, its annual seminars have addressed themes ranging from strategic challenges and self-reliance to geopolitical power shifts and leadership transformation, reinforcing its role in shaping India’s military thought and institutional resilience.

The CDM Annual Seminar 2026 reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to doctrinal innovation and organisational reform, positioning MITRA as a guiding framework for the administration and management of future security challenges and for building a resilient India.