"All three of us have trained together & have had the opportunity to work together in the past and now we are fortunate to have that chance again in the future. This is a good indication of synergy & cooperation. All three of us will work together and take things forward," said Army Chief General Manoj Pande on the presence of Air Force & Navy Chiefs during the Guard of Honour ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2022 at the South Block Lawns. He further added that the Army along with its sister services will unitedly deal with national security challenges and conflict situations.

On taking over as the Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande #COAS reviewed the Ceremonial Guard of Honour at the #SouthBlock lawns. #COAS appreciated the Guard for an impeccable turnout and impressive parade.#IndianArmy#InStrideWithTheFuture pic.twitter.com/tYQWtFXi4Y

— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 1, 2022

It was a rare yet reassuring sight to have both the other services' chiefs at the ceremony. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar and General Manoj Pande have trained together in the National Defence Academy (NDA) and are from the 61st NDA course. The camaraderie among the three was evident and this gesture gave a significant hope of how the three services can work in cooperation and collaboration towards national security and development. General Pande, who served as the Vice Chief from February 1, became the first-ever officer from the Corps of Engineers to become the COAS. He was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers (The Bombay Sappers) in December 1982.

"This is a good indication of synergy & cooperation. All three of us will work together and take things forward," said Army Chief General Manoj Pande on the presence of Air Force & Navy Chiefs during the Guard of Honour ceremony.

The new Chief of the Army Staff also talked about the fast-changing geopolitical situation and the several challenges that await ahead for which he aims to ensure very high standards of operational preparedness at all times, alongside modernisation and accelerated indigenisation. He continued to stress on the well-being of the defence staff while ensuring national security and development.

Laying out his intent for the armed forces during his tenure of two plus years, the Army Chief listed his top priorities:

• Utmost and foremost priority would be to ensure very high standards of operational preparedness to face current, contemporary and future security challenges across the entire spectrum of conflict.
• Secondly, in terms of capability development & force modernisation, the effort would be to leverage new technology through the process of indigenisation and atmanirbharta.
• Thirdly, would like to take forward the ongoing policies, restructuring and transformation so as to enhance the Indian Army's operational and functional efficiency.
• Fourthly, to enhance inter service cooperation and synergy. And to also actively engage with other agencies so as to positively contribute toward nation-building.
• Lastly to look after the well-being and welfare of our brave soldiers as well as ex-servicemen.Army Chief Pande was sharing these statements after receiving his Guard of Honour post assuming the charge as the Chief on Saturday, April 30, 2022. He succeeds General M.M. Naravane who served as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) for the last two years and four months.

The new Chief of the Army Staff also talked about the fast-changing geopolitical situation and the several challenges that await ahead for which he aims to ensure very high standards of operational preparedness at all times.

"The Army has also contributed to nation building. I would like to assure through you that the Indian Army will be fully committed to the values of freedom, liberty and equality," he said to the media. "It is a matter of immense pride and honour for me that I have been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Indian Army, which I accept with all humility. Indian Army is fully committed to the values of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity," stated General Manoj Pande.

"ये मेरे लिए बेहद गर्व और सम्मान की बात है कि मुझे भारतीय थल सेना का नेतृत्व करने का दायित्व सौंपा गया है, जिसे मैं पूरी विनम्रता से स्वीकार करता हूं। #भारतीयसेना स्वतंत्रता, स्वाधीनताऔर समानता के मूल्यों के प्रति पूर्ण रूप से प्रतिबद्ध है।"
जनरल मनोज पांडे, सेनाध्यक्ष
01 मई 2022 pic.twitter.com/bQYWYKwoLp

— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 1, 2022

On taking over as the 29th COAS and reviewing the Ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block lawns, he appreciated the Guard for an impeccable turnout and impressive parade. Following this he also laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and paid tributes to the brave hearts who laid down their lives for the nation.

On April 30, General Naravane had also laid the wreath after being presented a Ceremonial Guard of Honour on the occasion of relinquishing his post appointment. The former COAS also called upon the President and the Defence Minister of India.