The Indian Army, in collaboration with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), organised the Young Leaders Forum (YLF) at the Manekshaw Centre, here on Friday. The event was a lead-up to the third edition of the Chanakya Defence Dialogue (CDD) 2025, scheduled for 27–28 November 2025. The CDD is Indian Army’s flagship annual seminar, themed this year “Reform to Transform: Sashakt, Surakshit aur Viksit Bharat.”
Addressing the Forum, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju underscored the pivotal role of India’s youth and the Armed Forces in realising the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. Paying tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Major Bob Khathing for their contributions to India’s unity and sovereignty, he reflected on the nation’s civilisational strength and resilience.
He highlighted India’s robust economic growth exceeding 7% as a reflection of renewed national confidence and capability to become a developed, self-reliant nation within the next two decades. Emphasising physical fitness, discipline and patriotism as essential virtues for youth, he urged them to lead the nation’s transformation with the same commitment and integrity exemplified by the Indian Armed Forces. The Minister expressed confidence that the combined resolve of young Indians and the military will secure India’s rightful place among the world’s leading nations by 2047.
Addressing the gathering, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi emphasised the vital role of youth in shaping India’s future and safeguarding its sovereignty. He highlighted India’s demographic advantage, with 65% of the population under 35, as a reservoir of innovation, courage and energy that must be channelled with discipline and purpose.
He outlined the Indian Army’s Decade of Transformation, focusing on restructuring, technological innovation and youth engagement through initiatives such as Army Cells in IITs, Technology Clusters, and Indian Army Internship Programme (2025). Referring to contributions of youth in Operation SINDOOR, he described it as a defining example of India’s resolve and restraint, reflecting the moral strength and professional excellence of the Armed Forces.
The Young Leaders Forum 2025 served as a bridge between India’s strategic community and its next generation of leaders, reaffirming the Indian Army’s commitment to a Whole-of-Nation approach to national security. The deliberations from the Forum will feed into the broader agenda of the Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025, themed “Reform to Transform: Sashakt, Surakshit aur Viksit Bharat.”