Outgoing Army Chief Gen Dwivedi Says Service Was His "Greatest Privilege", Hands Over To Successor Gen Dhiraj Seth

Published 30 June 2026 · local

Outgoing Army Chief Gen Dwivedi Says Service Was His "Greatest Privilege", Hands Over To Successor Gen Dhiraj Seth Published By, Last Updated: June 30, 2026

Outgoing Army Chief Gen Dwivedi Says Service Was His "Greatest Privilege", Hands Over To Successor Gen Dhiraj Seth Published By, Last Updated: June 30, 2026, 11:02 IST India's Army Chief of Staff General Upendra Dwivedi is retiring and in a farewell ceremony in Delhi he handed over responsibility to his successor General Dhiraj Seth. Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi (Image: PTI) The Army Chief of India, General Upendra Dwivedi, has retired from his position and handed over the responsibility of being the leader of the nation’s terrestrial armed forces to General Dhiraj Seth. Serving in the Indian Army was the “greatest privilege" of his life, the outgoing Army Chief said during the farewell ceremony. General Dwivedi also laid a wreath at the War Memorial in the capital. He thanked soldiers, veterans, their families, and the citizens of India for giving him unwavering support. General Dhiraj will be taking on the role of the new Chief of Army Staff of India. Before this, he was serving as the Vice Chief of Army Staff.

“As I conclude my tenure as the Chief of the Army Staff, I am filled with a profound sense of humility, gratitude, pride, and satisfaction. The journey from Sainik School to this moment has been unforgettable. Serving in the Indian Army for over four decades has been the greatest privilege of my life," said the outgoing Army Chief, General Dwivedi, addressing the attendees of the farewell ceremony. “The Indian Army derives its strength not from any single individual, but from the unwavering faith of its soldiers, commanders, veterans, families, and the citizens of the country. I pay homage to every soldier of the Indian Army, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," he said. Speaking about the role the Indian Army played during the years when he served as its chief, General Dwivedi said that they maintained a high level of preparedness and vigilance across all fronts. He highlighted how the Indian Army successfully executed ‘Operation Sindoor’. Operation Sindoor was a precise and coordinated military operation against terrorist bases in Pakistan following the deplorable terror attack in Pahalgam valley in Kashmir in which 26 Indians were killed.

Further, he said that a “new normal" has been established in the national security apparatus of the country with there being a stronger synergy between the Army, Navy, and the Air Force. “Future warfare will be increasingly joint, integrated, and theatre-oriented. Therefore, our direction is clear: to look together, decide together, and act together," he explained. “Our deployment along the northern borders under ‘Operation Snow Leopard’ has been marked by strength and alertness. On the Western Front, too, the Army has discharged its duties with utmost seriousness and restraint; ‘Operation Sindoor’ stands as a shining example of this," he said during his address. As he handed over the responsibility of leading India’s army, General Dwivedi expressed confidence in his successor, General Dhiraj Seth. He described his successor as a seasoned soldier and capable leader. General Seth would take the Indian Armed Forces to greater heights while upholding its traditions, professionalism, and operational readiness, he asserted. “As I hand over this charge today, I am fully confident about the future of the Indian Army; it will remain rooted in its traditions, stay vigilant regarding current challenges, and remain constantly prepared for any situation that may arise in the future," he said.