General Dhiraj Seth Pays Tribute at National War Memorial, Unveils ‘VIJAY’ Vision as India’s 31st Army Chief
New Delhi, July 1, 2026: A day after taking over as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Dhiraj Seth paid solemn tribute to the nation’s fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial in New Delhi before outlining his strategic vision and priorities for the Indian Army.
General Seth, who formally assumed office on the afternoon of June 30, 2026, laid a wreath at the memorial in honour of the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation. He described their courage, dedication and selfless service as an enduring source of inspiration for generations of Indians.
Following the wreath-laying ceremony, the Army Chief reviewed a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns before addressing the media.
Commitment to ‘Duty, Honour and Nation First’
Speaking on the occasion, General Seth described his appointment as a matter of immense pride and humility. He reaffirmed his commitment to the core values of “Duty, Honour and Nation First” and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister for placing their trust in him to lead the Indian Army.
Paying homage to soldiers who laid down their lives defending the country, General Seth said their unwavering devotion to duty would continue to inspire every member of the armed forces.
Indian Army Ready for Future Challenges
Describing the Indian Army as a combat-ready and battle-hardened force, the Army Chief said the force remains fully prepared to respond to any operational challenge. He stressed that the rapidly evolving security environment demands accelerated modernisation and technological advancement.
General Seth said the Army would work towards becoming a technology-enabled, future-ready fighting force capable of operating effectively across multiple domains of warfare.
‘VIJAY’ Vision to Guide Army Transformation
Outlining his roadmap for the Army, General Seth introduced the acronym “VIJAY”, inspired by the Defence Minister’s vision for the ongoing Decade of Transformation.
The five pillars of the “VIJAY” strategy are:
- V – Vigilance: Maintaining constant operational preparedness and heightened vigilance along India’s borders while addressing emerging security threats.
- I – Innovation and Transformation: Accelerating innovation in military doctrine, technology and capability development to meet the changing nature of modern warfare.
- J – Jointness and Integration: Strengthening coordination and operational synergy with the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy while promoting military-civil fusion through a Whole-of-Nation approach in support of the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
- A – Atmanirbharta: Expanding indigenous defence capabilities and technologies with the objective of “Winning Our Wars with Indigenous Solutions.”
- Y – Yodha First: Prioritising the welfare, training, technological empowerment and professional growth of every soldier—from Agniveers to veterans—as well as supporting Veer Naris and ex-servicemen.
Tribute to Former Army Chiefs
General Seth also paid tribute to his predecessor General Upendra Dwivedi and all former Chiefs of the Army Staff, acknowledging their leadership in shaping the Indian Army into one of the world’s most respected and resilient fighting forces.
Reassurance to the Nation
The Army Chief assured the nation that the Indian Army remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding India’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests under all circumstances.
Concluding his address, General Seth said the Prime Minister’s guiding mantra of “JAI” for the Armed Forces forms the foundation of his leadership philosophy under “VIJAY.”
His closing message to the nation was simple yet emphatic:
“JAI se VIJAY”—a vision aimed at strengthening the Indian Army’s operational excellence, technological capability and unwavering commitment to national security.
