Given the fast changing nature of warfare, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to review several issues including creation of theatre commands for better synergy amongst the army, navy and air force during the three-day Combined Commanders’ Conference in Bhopal beginning Thursday.

Incidentally, the government last week introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha to empower the commander-in-chief and officer-in-command of the Tri-service commands and proposed theatre commands with disciplinary powers.  Till now, personnel from the army, IAF and navy are governed by their respective acts. The bill is titled ‘Inter-services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill.’  It may come up for discussion next week in Parliament. Announcing his schedule, the Prime Minister’s Office(PMO)said here on Thursday, Modi will address the Combined Commanders' Conference-2023 and later flag off the Vande Bharat express train between Bhopal and New Delhi during his visit to Madhya Pradesh on April 1.

The PMO said the three-day conference of military commanders will be held from March 30 to April 1 on the theme "ready, resurgent, relevant". During the conference, deliberations will be held over a spectrum of issues pertaining to national security, including jointness and theaterisation in the armed forces.

The armed forces' preparation and progress in defence ecosystem towards attaining "aatmanirbharta" will also be reviewed, the statement said.

The conference will witness participation of commanders from the three armed forces and senior officers from the Ministry of Defence. Inclusive and informal interaction will also be held with soldiers, sailors and airmen.