Vivek Chadha replies: Until recently, the long-standing objective of integration of the armed forces and higher defence organisations, as also enhancing jointness amongst them, had remained largely unfulfilled. Even though some changes came about based on recommendations made in the Kargil Review Committee Report of 1999 and Group of Ministers (GoM) Report of 2001, certain critical aspects such as the appointment of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and creation of joint commands had continued to linger.
Defining the Charter of Chief of Defence Staff
Having decided to create the post of CDS, the next logical step for the government is to define its charter of duties and responsibilities. The government needs to examine not just the CDS’s role as a single-point military advisor, but also his role in other matters that are equally important in driving critical defence reforms.