Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to come to Kolkata next week.
He will be accompanied by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Speculation about the Prime Minister’s visit to West Bengal before Durga Puja had been doing the rounds for weeks but sources clarified that the visit will not have any political agenda.
Modi, Doval & Singh will attend a special Indian Army programme at Fort William.
According to Eastern Command officials, the Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) is scheduled to be held in Kolkata from September 15 to 17.
The high-level military event will bring together senior commanders of the armed forces. The
Prime Minister, Defence Minister and NSA are expected to arrive on September 15 to
participate in the conference.
Sources in the Eastern Command, said that along with Modi, Rajnath Singh and Ajit Doval,
the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh will also be present at the event. Separate meetings with senior Army officials may also
take place during their stay.
The significance of the visit comes in the backdrop of ongoing regional concerns. Bangladesh continues to witness sporadic unrest, including incidents of violence against minorities near the border.
Nepal is roiled by anti-government protests, while India-China relations, though relatively stable after recent SCO talks, remain under close watch.
In such a situation, discussions on strengthening security along the northeastern borders are expected to be high on the agenda.
Officials emphasised that Prime Minister Modi will not attend any political programmes during this trip.
Earlier, reports had suggested that both Modi might visit Bengal ahead of Durga Puja, but that plan was cancelled.
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