Newly-appointed Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday, 1 January, said the armed forces stay away from politics and work as per the directives of the government of the day.
“We keep ourselves away from politics. We act according to the directives of the government of the day,” Rawat said, while responding to allegations that the forces were being politicised.
Rawat had received flak from Opposition leaders for his “leaders who lead people in inappropriate directions are not leaders” comment amid the ongoing protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Rawat also said that his focus as CDS will be to integrate the efforts of the three services and to work as a team. He also said that his focus will be to ensure best and optimal use of resources allocated to the three services.
‘An Outstanding Officer’: PM Modi Congratulates Rawat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to congratulate General Rawat.
“I am delighted that as we begin the new year and new decade, India gets its first Chief of Defence Staff in General Bipin Rawat. I congratulate him and wish him the very best for this responsibility. He is an outstanding officer who has served India with great zeal,” Modi wrote.
Remembering the martyrs and calling the creation of post a historic development, Modi said that the creation of the post will “help our country face the ever-changing challenges of modern warfare”.
Home Minister Amit Shah Congratulates CDS Rawat
Congratulating General Bipin Rawat on taking charge as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, Home Minister Amit Shah said that under General Rawat’s leadership all the three forces will work as a team.
“The Chief of Defence Staff will not only further Modi government’s efforts towards ensuring welfare of personnel of all the three wings of Indian Armed Forces, modernise our military and fulfill aspirations of a New India,” Shah said on Twitter.
‘Creation of CDS a Big & Bold Step’: Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said that the Indian Air Force is in complete support of the CDS.
“The creation of CDS is a very big step and a very bold step. The onus is on tri services now to fully support it in the formulation stage. Indian Air Force will fully support it and will help with the process required,” he said.
Appointed CDS With Effect From 31 December
According to a government order, General Rawat has been appointed as the CDS with effect from 31 December.
"Government has decided to appoint General Rawat as the Chief of Defence Staff with effect from 31 December and until further orders and extension in service of General Rawat with effect from 31 December and till the period he holds the office of CDS," the defence ministry said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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