Lucknow, Sep 29: The Field Marshal KM Cariappa Memorial Seminar was held at HQ Central Command, Lucknow, focusing on “Modernising the Infantry Soldier to Fight Contemporary and Future Wars.” Organised jointly by the Directorate General of Infantry and the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), the seminar honoured Independent India’s first Commander-in-Chief while exploring ways to reshape the Indian Infantry to face hybrid threats, drone warfare, cyber conflicts, and multi-domain operations.

The event brought together senior military leaders, veterans, defence scholars, technologists, and industry experts to discuss pathways for capability enhancement and transformation of India’s frontline forces.
Lt Gen Ajay Kumar, Director General of Infantry, inaugurated the seminar, outlining the Army’s vision for modernising the Infantry through doctrinal evolution, cutting-edge technologies, and enhanced combat readiness at all levels. Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, GOC-in-C Central Command, delivered the keynote address, stressing that Infantry modernisation is a warfighting imperative requiring agility, adaptability, and technology-driven soldiering, with collaboration between military, academic, and industry stakeholders.
Four focused sessions were led by distinguished veterans:
Maj Gen Vivek Sehgal (Retd) examined evolving threats and operational paradigms.
Maj Gen Pankaj Saxena (Retd) discussed the impact of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-drone technologies.
Lt Gen DP Pandey (Retd) outlined a roadmap for transforming foot soldiers into futuristic, technology-enabled combatants.
Maj Gen Sanjeev Kumar Senger (Retd) highlighted leveraging indigenous innovation and niche technologies to strengthen soldier-support systems.
In closing, Lt Gen Navin Sachdeva, Chief of Staff, Central Command, emphasised doctrinal refinement, data-driven decision-making, and collaboration with academia and industry to create agile, multi-domain Infantry units. Maj Gen Rajiv Chhibber, Additional Director General Infantry, thanked participants, noting that the seminar laid a strong foundation for future transformation efforts.
The seminar concluded with a reaffirmation of the Indian Army’s commitment to developing a lethal, agile, and intelligent Infantry, where modernisation encompasses not just equipment, but mindset, training, integrated systems, and institutional foresight. Paying tribute to Field Marshal KM Cariappa, the event honoured his legacy while shaping the future of India’s frontline warriors.