He stressed that many people seek to fracture the nation, some based on caste, others on region or language. Whenever these divisive forces gain power, he said, they think only of themselves and their families, acquiring properties, hotels, and even islands abroad.
In his maiden communication with the three defence forces, new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has asked the Army, Navy and Air Force to make a move ahead towards the creation of integrated theatre commands.
Gen Chauhan is India's second CDS. He succeeds Gen Bipin Rawat, who was killed in a helicopter crash in December 2021.
As CDS, Lt Gen Chauhan becomes the military head and permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Indian armed forces.
"I am shocked to learn of the accident suffered by the chopper carrying Army generals, including the Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat, at Coonoor".
Gen Rawat was on his way from Sulur IAF base in Coimbatore to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course when the chopper crashed.
He was delivering the All India Radio’s prestigious Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture last evening as part of the Prasar Bharati’s celebrations marking the birth anniversary of the ''Iron Man of India''.
Modi was also informed that all medical officers on staff appointments at medical facilities of the three services would be employed at hospitals.
The CDS added that the Indian Army and the Indian Navy too will join in.
The Army chief will visit the US Military Academy at West Point and the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, of which he is an alumnus
