The Indian central government recently nominated the former Eastern Command head, Lt General Anil Chauhan (retired), as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). This post with significant ramifications on military strategy and coordination was recommended by various committees looking into strengthening India’s defense apparatus.
Historical Background of the Chief of Defence Staff
The inception of this critical role arose from the suggestion given by the Group of Ministers (GoM) in 2001 after studying the Kargil Review Committee (1999) report. As a vital step towards the establishment of the CDS, the government introduced the Integrated Defence Staff in 2002, intended to serve as the secretariat for the office of the CDS. A decade later, in 2012, the Naresh Chandra Committee proposed the appointment of a Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, which was seen as a midway ground to eliminate apprehensions concerning the CDS. The final creation of the CDS post came about in 2019, based on recommendations from a panel of defence specialists helmed by Lt General DB Shekatkar. The inaugural holder of the role was General Bipin Rawat, who took office on December 31, 2019.
Roles and Responsibilities of the Chief of Defence Staff
The primary responsibility of the CDS is to foster operational synergy between the three branches of the Indian military – the Army, Navy, and Air Force – and to reduce as much friction between them as possible. Apart from heading the newly formed Department of Military Affairs (DMA) in the Ministry of Defence, the CDS serves as the single-point military advisor to the Defence Minister on all matters involving the three services. Each service chief is then responsible for offering counsel on issues related to their particular branches. As the head of DMA, the CDS, as Permanent Chairman-Chiefs of Staff Committee, has the authority to prioritize inter-service procurement decisions.
Though the CDS is empowered to give directives to the three chiefs, he does not have command authority over any of the forces, nor does he have control over anything beyond the revenue budget. He also plays an advisory role on the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA).
Significance of the Chief of Defence Staff
The creation of the CDS signifies a crucial step toward better synergy and cooperation between the Armed Services and the Government. It accelerates decision-making processes by fostering enhanced communication between the Service Headquarters (SHQ) and the Department of Defense (DoD), happening primarily through formal documents.
The establishment of a “permanent chairman of COSC” further ensures undivided attention to administer tri-service organizations. The creation of the DMA can be seen as a catalyst towards implementing joint/theater command.
The operationalization of joint commands and theatre commands necessitates staff with extensive knowledge and experience in the deployment of land, maritime, and air forces. These measures can be most effectively implemented under the guidance of the Chief of Defence Staff.
Acting as a key functionary in the nuclear command chain, the CDS will oversee the Strategic Forces Command, thereby enhancing the credibility of India’s nuclear deterrent. An early review of India’s Nuclear Doctrine is also on the cards under the CDS.
In an era that may witness shrinking defence budgets, one vital function of the CDS is to prioritize capital acquisition proposals from individual services, ensuring optimal allocation of resources.
