New Delhi:

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi recently opened up about his multi-religious upbringing and illustrious military career.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, he shared his thoughts on being multi-religious, citing his exposure to diverse faiths during his time in the 18th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles.

This regiment uniquely had a mosque, gurdwara, Durga Mata temple, and Mahakal temple all under one roof, fostering an environment of interfaith harmony.

When asked about his recent visit to Mahakaleshwar Temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Army Chief said, “I am multi-religious. I have been commissioned into the 18th Battalion, the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, where you have a Masjid, Gurdwara, Durga Mata, and Mahakal, all under one roof.”

General Dwivedi recounted how his subedar major, a Maulvi, would perform Durga Mata Puja without any issues, demonstrating the regiment’s spirit of mutual respect. When asked about his own spiritual journey, Gen Dwivedi said after taking over, he first sought blessings from his unit, Bhakti Dhaam, where he received blessings from his Maulvi, Pandit, and Granthi.

“My subedar major, who may be a Maulvi, is able to do Durga Mata Puja, which is not an issue at all. Now, if you see, have I visited any Mashoor (famous) place, Golden Temple or Mahakaal or Vaishno Devi, in the initial stages? No. The first thing I went to was to my unit, Bhakti Dham. And once I got the blessings there from my Maulvi, my Pandit, my Granthi, thereafter I started going to all the places,” said the Army Chief.

General Dwivedi recalled how his father would tell him stories of freedom fighters and World War II heroes, inspiring him to join the army.

In a candid revelation, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi shared the story of how his childhood experiences shaped his decision to join the Indian Army.

One particular memory that stood out was when his uncle would bring home copies with photographs of soldiers. These images sparked a sense of curiosity and admiration in young Dwivedi. As he grew older, he began to explore various career options, considering medicine and engineering, just like his brothers.

However, the allure of the Army ultimately won him over. General Dwivedi recalled how he initially wanted to become an intelligence officer, but after gaining more exposure, he decided to join the Army first and then explore opportunities in intelligence.

“I remember my uncle when he used to ask him, So the copy which he used to bring used to have a soldier’s photo. Okay. My father used to always give me the story of freedom fighters or the story of World War II, where we won Vera, who escaped as a pilot. I remember. So all these stories I used to keep reading. And my one brother was a doctor. So I said, no, this is closed. My second brother was an engineer. I said, this is closed. Okay. So third was the army, which was there. I wanted to become an intelligence officer if I can say that. But when I went to school and saw everything, then I said, okay, let me join the Army first, thereafter look at intelligence,” the Army chief said.

He also shared his experience of flying the LCA with Air Marshal AP Singh during Aero India 2025, praising Singh’s leadership and straightforward qualities. He recalled that Air Marshal Singh was a standout individual even during their National Defence Academy (NDA) days, earning the respect and admiration of his peers.

In a nostalgic reflection, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reminisced about his school days, when he and his peers would admire all three services – the Army, Navy, and Air Force. He shared that it was simply fate that led him to join the Army.

“See, when we were in school, we used to look at all three services. We used to love all three, if I can say that. It just so happened that I came into the army. Let me tell you about AP first. As far as AP is concerned, from NDA days, he is a gold torch. And he is, everybody has a natural liking towards him. He is a man who can collect people together. He is a natural leader. And he takes ownership of a crowd. But he is a very straightforward man. So, I say in the lighter moment, he should have been in the infantry,” said the Army Chief.

The Army Chief highlighted Air Marshal Singh’s ability to bring people together, his natural leadership skills, and his willingness to take ownership of responsibilities. General Dwivedi jokingly added that Air Marshal Singh’s straightforward nature and team-bonding skills would have made him an excellent fit for the infantry.

“He’s so straightforward. And such a team-bonding man, he should have been infantry,” he added.

This lighthearted exchange offers a glimpse into the camaraderie and mutual respect shared between General Dwivedi and Air Marshal Singh, showcasing the strong bonds forged during their formative years at the NDA.

The Army Chief’s comments offer a glimpse into his personal life and military career, highlighting the importance of respecting all religions and the value of teamwork and leadership.

As the 30th Chief of the Army Staff, he brings a wealth of experience, having served in various roles, including Northern Army Commander and Director General of Infantry.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi today spoke out over the removal of the iconic picture of Pakistan’s surrender to India in the 1971 war from his office at Raisina Hill in New Delhi. It was recently replaced by a new painting titled ‘Karam Kshetra’. The move had caused much anguish among army veterans, who have criticised the decision.

The iconic picture of Pakistan’s surrender used to be on the wall of the army chief’s lounge at his office. In December it was taken down for maintenance and upkeep, but later sent away to the Manekshaw convention centre instead of being brought back to the army chief’s office. A new artwork was installed in its place.

Defending the move, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said, “If you see the golden history of India – it has three chapters. It has the British era, the Mughal era and the era before that. If we wish to connect that and the Army’s vision, symbolism becomes important.”

Suggesting a generational change, the army chief said the new painting is created by Lt Col Thomas Jacob of the 28 Madras regiment, “who belongs to the younger generation in the force”.

The Indian Army has said that the new painting, “Karam Kshetra” means “Field of Deeds”. “It portrays the Army as a guardian of Dharma that protects the nation’s values and reflects its evolution into a technologically-advanced integrated force,” it explained.

The painting shows snow-capped mountains around the Pangong lake in Ladakh, Lord Krishna’s chariot and Hindu statesman and philosopher Chanakya – all representing strategic wisdom.

The army chief suggested that the new painting was made considering the current realities as he mentioned about the re-balancing of troops in view of challenges coming from the northern front.

Addressing the criticism over the new painting, Army Chief Gen. Dwivedi said, “It is also being said that there is a semi-clad Brahmin standing at the centre on the banks of Pangong Tso. If Indians do not know Chanakya, they need to refer back to their civilisational approach.”

The army chief further said that “If I have to connect the past, present and future, the new painting symbolises that.”

Laying the case to rest, the army chief concluded that the move should not be seen as a removal of the iconic 1971 painting from his office. “The army chief has two lounges and the surrender painting is at the lounge at Manekshaw Centre,” Gen. Dwivedi said.

(Inputs from PTI)
 

New Delhi:

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi today spoke out over the removal of the iconic picture of Pakistan’s surrender to India in the 1971 war from his office at Raisina Hill in New Delhi. It was recently replaced by a new painting titled ‘Karam Kshetra’. The move had caused much anguish among army veterans, who have criticised the decision.

The iconic picture of Pakistan’s surrender used to be on the wall of the army chief’s lounge at his office. In December it was taken down for maintenance and upkeep, but later sent away to the Manekshaw convention centre instead of being brought back to the army chief’s office. A new artwork was installed in its place.

Defending the move, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said, “If you see the golden history of India – it has three chapters. It has the British era, the Mughal era and the era before that. If we wish to connect that and the Army’s vision, symbolism becomes important.”

Suggesting a generational change, the army chief said the new painting is created by Lt Col Thomas Jacob of the 28 Madras regiment, “who belongs to the younger generation in the force”.

The Indian Army has said that the new painting, “Karam Kshetra” means “Field of Deeds”. “It portrays the Army as a guardian of Dharma that protects the nation’s values and reflects its evolution into a technologically-advanced integrated force,” it explained.

The painting ‘Karam Kshetra’ has replaced the iconic picture of Pakistan’s surrender to India in the 1971 war. (Photo Credit: X / @bsdhanoa)

The painting shows snow-capped mountains around the Pangong lake in Ladakh, Lord Krishna’s chariot and Hindu statesman and philosopher Chanakya – all representing strategic wisdom.

The army chief suggested that the new painting was made considering the current realities as he mentioned about the re-balancing of troops in view of challenges coming from the northern front.

Addressing the criticism over the new painting, Army Chief Gen. Dwivedi said, “It is also being said that there is a semi-clad Brahmin standing at the centre on the banks of Pangong Tso. If Indians do not know Chanakya, they need to refer back to their civilisational approach.”

The army chief further said that “If I have to connect the past, present and future, the new painting symbolises that.”

Laying the case to rest, the army chief concluded that the move should not be seen as a removal of the iconic 1971 painting from his office. “The army chief has two lounges and the surrender painting is at the lounge at Manekshaw Centre,” Gen. Dwivedi said.

(Inputs from PTI)
 

New Delhi:

Highlighting the complex nature of dealing with tensions with China, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said that India must compete, cooperate, coexist, confront, and contest with China.

He stated, “As far as China is concerned, it has been intriguing our minds for quite some time. With China, you have to compete, cooperate, coexist, confront, and contest.”

“It’s stable, but it’s not normal and it’s sensitive. We want the situation to be restored back to what it was before April 2020, whether in terms of the ground occupation situation or the buffer zones that have been created,” he explained. He reiterated the military’s readiness, stating, “Until that situation is restored, the situation will remain sensitive, and we are fully operationally prepared to face any kind of contingency. Trust has become the biggest casualty.”

When asked about the progress of ongoing talks, Dwivedi shared that both sides have engaged in approximately 17 Corps Commander-level talks since April.

“We have come a long way. Now, when we have a difficult situation, both sides need to find a win-win solution,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, earlier in September, The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) provided an update on the current state of India-China relations, characterising them as ongoing dialogue and efforts to resolve tensions through the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) meetings.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has consistently addressed the relationship in various forums, emphasising transparency and providing regular updates on the progress of WMCC discussions.

Responding to a question on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s statement that 75 per cent of disengagement problems between India and China have been resolved, Jaiswal said, “External Affairs Minister has spoken on India-China relations on several occasions. Recently, he spoke it in Berlin. He also spoke about it in New Delhi when he attended an event here. We have also been keeping you informed about the developments on our talks with the WMCC.”

Notably, Jaishankar during his visit to Geneva spoke about the relationship between India and China and said that “75 per cent of disengagement problems are sorted out.”

India and China held the 31st meeting of the WMCC in Beijing on August 29, and the two sides decided to jointly uphold peace and tranquillity on the ground in border areas in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements and protocols.

Since May 2020, when the Chinese troops tried to aggressively change the status quo on LAC in eastern Ladakh, both sides have been deployed in forward positions near Patrolling Point 15, which emerged as a friction point in the wake of the Galwan clash.

Over 50,000 Indian soldiers have been stationed since 2020 at forward posts along the LAC, with advanced weapons to prevent any attempts to change the status quo unilaterally on the LAC.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

General Upendra Dwivedi has taken over as the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) from General Manoj Pande, who took charge in May 2022.

Prior to this, General Dwivedi was the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. He is the recipient of Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and three General Officer Commanding-in-Charge (GOC-in-C) commendation cards.

A resident of Madhya Pradesh, he studied in Sainik School Rewa, and joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) in January 1981. He was commissioned into the 18th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in December 1984, which he later commanded in Kashmir valley and the deserts of Rajasthan.

From his school days, he grew up as an outstanding sportsman and excelled in both the NDA and the Indian Military Academy (IMA), where he won ‘Blue’ in physical training. He continued to excel post commissioning and received a gold medal in the physical training course.

General Dwivedi has a unique distinction of balanced exposure along the northern, western and eastern theatres, in varied terrain and operational environment including deserts, high altitude, riverine, built-up area, northeast, and Jammu and Kashmir.

He commanded his battalion in counter-terrorist operations in Kashmir valley and in Rajasthan’s deserts. He has been the Inspector General Assam Rifles (IGAR-GOC) and Sector Commander of the Assam Rifles in intense counter-terrorist operations, and held many other staff and command appointments in the northeast where he pioneered the first ever compendium on Indo-Myanmar border management.

Subsequently, General Dwivedi commanded the Rising Star Corps along the western front and the Northern Army from 2022-2024 in an extremely challenging operational environment. He provided strategic guidance and operational oversight for planning and executing sustained operations along the northern and western borders, besides orchestrating dynamic counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

He was involved in modernising and equipping the largest command of the Indian Army, where he steered the induction of indigenous equipment as part of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. He has varied staff exposures which includes handling conventional operations of the Armoured Brigade in the plains of Punjab, providing logistical support to a Mountain Division in the northeast along the northern borders, and operations of a Strike Corps in deserts.

General Dwivedi’s two overseas tenures include Somalia, as part of HQ UNOSOM II, and Seychelles as Military Advisor to the government there.

He is married to Sunita Dwivedi, a Science graduate. Sunita Dwivedi has been associated with Aarushi, an institute for differently abled children in Bhopal. The couple are blessed with two daughters. General Dwivedi is a skilled yoga practitioner.

The outgoing army chief, General Pande, was the first officer from the Corps of Engineers to become the Chief of the Army Staff. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, General Pande was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers in December 1982. He commanded an engineer regiment during Operation Parakram in the Pallanwala sector along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.