New Delhi: Facing an unprecedented situation with a raging global pandemic and Chinese aggressive postures in India’s northern frontiers, commanders of the Indian Army will meet for three days from Wednesday for the biennial Army Commanders Conference (ACC) to be held in the national capital.
The ACC is held for a week twice a year, usually in March-April and October. But this year, the conference was postponed due to the prevailing situation because of COVID 19.
This time, the first ACC of 2020 will be spread over two parts. While the dates for the second part have not been finalised yet, it is expected to be held in the last week of June.
An army officer told ETV Bharat, “The agenda for the forthcoming session will be on administrative issues, logistics and human resources management.”
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The official denied that the ongoing border row with China will be deliberated upon although it is inconceivable that it will not be at a time when there is an escalation on the northern frontier.
At the moment, both the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China have become focal points of military activity. There have been increasing number of ceasefire violations on the LoC while the LAC is witnessing new levels of tension with an ongoing mobilisation of men and material over an escalating border row.
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Another minor change this time is that the conference will be held at South Block which houses the defence ministry. Usually the event is held at Manekshaw Centre, the Indian Army’s showpiece building in the national capital. “Of course, proper social distancing norms will be strictly followed,” the official added.
The ACC is an important event in the planning and execution process of Indian Army that undertakes a 360 degree look at the current emerging perspectives on issues relating to operations, logistics, administration, human resources and welfare.
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To ensure due diligence, decisions are taken through a collegiate system comprising army commanders and senior officers. While the defence minister addresses the top military brass, the meeting, chaired by the Army chief, usually is attended by heads of defence public sector undertakings and director-generals of various military arms and branches.
