EP-266 | India-China Border, Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence, Pakistan & AI | General Upendra Dwivedi

General Upendra Dwivedi is currently serving as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army. He previously served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command. Before that, he was the Deputy Chief of Army Staff for Information Systems and Coordination and the General Officer Commanding of the IX Corps.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the Army Chief shares his views on several key issues. He discusses how the situation of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir has changed after the abrogation of Article 370 and also talks about the Indian Army's role in implementing the theme of ‘Terrorism to Tourism” in Kashmir Valley.

He also opens up about the Pakistani Army’s mindset regarding PoK and the motive behind infiltration bids by Pakistani terrorists.

General Dwivedi also addresses how AI is transforming battlefields across the world and how the Indian Army is utilizing this technology. He emphasizes that civilian support for the army plays a major role and explains how an average citizen can be helpful to the Indian Army. He highlights the disengagement between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

General Dwivedi further reflects on the role of women in the Indian Armed Forces. He also discusses the budget allocated for the defence sector and the priorities that need to be addressed to boost the army's performance.

00:00 – Introduction

01:06 - India-China border Disengagement

04:20 - Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Army Chief

07:32 - Trump’s pitch to sell stealth fighters to India

11:43 - Security situation along LoC

14:16 - Decline in militancy in Kashmir

16:47 - Mindset of Pakistani Army

22:24 - Drones: Future of Warfare

27:46 - Is Agnipath scheme helping Army?

30:42 - ‘Gray zone’ and ‘Hybrid’ warfare

38:31 - AI and Indian Army

48:56 - Two classmates leading Indian Armed Forces

55:59 - Recruits in the Indian Army

59:22 - Budget allocation for Defence

1:06:23 - Army pay scale compared to private sector

1:12:02 - Civilian support for Army

1:16:55 - When Army Chief visited Mahakaleshwar Temple

1:19:05 - Childhood of Army Chief

1:22:30 - Emotional impact of losing friends in combat