PM to open meeting of top defense commanders

New Delhi: Amid concerns over the security situation in the region, top commanders of all three defence services will meet here in a brain-storming three day-session to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 11 October. [caption id=“attachment_102087” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The Conference will focus on macro issues such as operational preparedness. PIB”]  [/caption] In his interaction with the three services chiefs, military commanders and Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) during the Combined Commanders Conference, the Prime Minister is expected to discuss the security scenario in the region including the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan, defence ministry officials said here. “The Services will also get to interact with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P Chidambaram and External Affairs Minister SM Krishna,” they said. The Prime Minister is also likely to discuss the progress in infrastructure development programme in the North East and modernisation of military capabilities there. Meanwhile, focusing on the macro-level issues of military preparedness and combat capabilities, the bi-annual Army Commanders Conference would be held here from 10 to 14 October. “The Conference will focus on macro issues such as operational preparedness, equipment sustainment for mission readiness and maximising combat power generation capability of the Army including improvement of habitat in high altitude,” the officials said. It will also hold discussions on enhancing professional military education, logistics and administrative aspects. Procedures to ensure efficient budgetary management too would be high on the agenda while the last two days will be devoted to discuss matters related to military operational and human resource development, they said. PTI