NEW DELHI: Gen Upendra Dwivedi would have his hands full as the COAS.
Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM is currently serving as the 46th Vice Chief of the Army Staff since 19 February 2024. He has vast operational experience in dealing with China, Pakistan and Indo-Myanmar border, bordering Manipur besides other adjoining states in India. He has been appointed as the next Chief of the Army Staff with effect from the afternoon of 30 June 2024. He will succeed General Manoj Pande, the 29th and the current Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army.
Lt Gen Dwivedi, born on 1 July 1964, is an alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and then the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
The COAS (Designate) was commissioned into the 18th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army on 15 December 1984 from the Indian Military Academy. He later commanded the same battalion at Chowkibal in Kashmir Valley during Operation Rakshak and the deserts of Rajasthan. He commanded a sector of the Assam Rifles in Manipur during Operation Rhino, served in Assam as Inspector General Assam Rifles (East), and held various other Staff & Command appointments in the Northeast. He has had a unique distinction of balanced exposure of both Northern and Western Theatres in India.
The General Officer has held several important command, staff, instructional, and foreign assignments throughout his nearly 40-year-long distinguished career prior to his appointment as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi has tenanted various staff appointments in Headquarter Armored Brigade, Mountain Division, Strike Corps and Integrated HQ, MoD (Army). Among his previous appointments were as an instructor at the Indian Military Academy, directing staff at the higher command wing in the Army War College, Mhow where he shaped the future leaders of the three services of the Indian Armed Forces and Friendly Foreign Countries in “Art of Warfare” and “Military Leadership”.
As Director General Infantry, he fast-tracked the long pending capital procurement of the modern and state of the art weapons for all the three services thereby enhancing the combat capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.
In February 2020, the General was appointed as a commander of a corps. A year later in April 2021, he took over as the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Information Systems and Coordination) wherein he provided an impetus to automation and absorption of niche tech in the Indian Army.
On 1 February 2022, Lieutenant General Dwivedi took over as the General Officer Commanding in Chief, Northern Command. Being a technology enthusiast, he worked towards enhancing the tech-threshold of all ranks in Northern Command and pushed for critical and emerging technologies like big data analytics, artificial intelligence, quantum and blockchain-based solutions. He was also involved in modernisation and equipping of the largest Army Command of the Indian Army, where he drove the induction of indigenous equipment as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat. He synergised with the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh for convergent nation building and infrastructure development.
An alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Tamil Nadu and Higher Command Course at Army War College, Mhow, the National Defence College and the US Army War College in Carlisle, USA, the General Officer has an MPhil in defence and management studies, two masters degrees in strategic studies and military science, including one from United States Army War College.
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi has been honoured with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and three General officer commanding-in-chief (GOC-in-C) Commendation Cards.
As the Northern Army Commander, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi provided strategic guidance and operational oversight for sustained operations along the northern and western borders. He restored normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir by providing strategic directions for successful conduct of effective counter-terrorism operations that led to emergence of a conducive environment for infrastructure and socio-economic developments as also smooth conduct of the G-20 in Srinagar. The unprecedented tourist footfall of over 2.11 crore in 2023 in Kashmir valley besides the increasing economic activities are a testimony of the General Officer’s professional acumen and commitment towards the national interest .
During this period, he further enhanced India’s security architecture along the northern borders into robust defences in response to the extended stand-off triggered by China. He also actively participated in the ongoing negotiations with China to address the complex border issues.
Playing a significant role in modernizing and equipping the largest Indian Army command, he oversaw the induction of indigenous equipment as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative.
The Covid-19 pandemic; ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Hamas-Israel conflicts and the strategic rivalry in the Indo-Pacific, especially East and South China Sea continuing to occupy the centerstage of the world at war; the geopolitics and the geo security present numerous challenges as also opportunities to India.
Gen Upendra Dwivedi would have his hands full as the COAS at a juncture where India is marching ahead to be the third largest economy in the world in foreseeable future will be expected to address both external as well as internal security challenges so that the economy can ride on the back of internal stability and external peace.
As the 30th Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army, the following ten major issues may merit focus:
1. Zero-terrorism/insurgency, especially in J&K and Northeast respectively.
2. Robust defences along the northern border.
3. Normalcy in Manipur.
4. Siliguri Corridor.
5. Operational effectiveness of the Agniveers.
6. Atmanirbhar Bharat.
7. Countering China, especially in AI, auto/semi-auto weapon platforms, space, electromagnetic radiation, cyber, information warfare and precision-guided weapons.
8. Settle borders.
9. Effective surveillance.
10. Military diplomacy.
Maj Gen Sudhakar Jee, VSM (Retd) is a former Colonel of the Mahar Regiment. He is an expert in geopolitics, defence and strategy.