General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff, has emphasised the importance of geopolitics and national interests in the formulation of national security strategy.
He was addressing officers of colonel or equivalent ranks from the Army, Navy and Air Force at the College of Defence Management here on Friday.
The participants also included officers of armed forces of friendly foreign countries attending the Higher Defence Management course at the College. The talk was aimed at providing the strategic perspective and guidance to stimulate management thought and develop strategic mindset among the officers to optimise the effectiveness of the armed forces in meeting the challenges to the national security.
General Rawat stressed on the relevance of strong armed forces in fostering economic growth by providing stable and secure environment for economic activities and on the need for carrying the neighbouring countries along, on the road to economic prosperity.
The security apparatus should also be prepared to face and contain the internal security challenges, he said. The jointmanship in the armed forces could be nurtured at Tri Service organisation of the College of Defence Management.
The talk was followed by an interaction with the officers.