President Murmu Hosts Participants of 65th National Defence College Course

New Delhi, October 7, 2025, 2:00 PM IST – The faculty and course members of the 65th National Defence College (NDC) Course paid a courtesy visit to President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan today, October 7, 2025. The gathering provided a platform for the President to address the esteemed group, emphasizing the critical role of national interests and objectives as the bedrock of any country’s security framework.

In her address, President Murmu highlighted that while universal values form the essence of India’s national interests, the country’s rich tradition views humanity as a single family. She underscored the deep-rooted principles of universal brotherhood and peace that have long guided India, while also stressing the importance of maintaining a battle-ready stance to counter threats that jeopardize humanity and national sovereignty. This dual approach, she noted, reflects India’s balanced philosophy of peace and preparedness.

The President lauded the Indian Armed Forces for their exemplary display of jointness and strategic vision during ‘Operation Sindoor.’ She praised the tri-service coordination, which fostered effective synergy and led to the successful dismantling of terror networks across the line-of-control and deeper into hostile territories. This operation, she remarked, showcased the strength of unified military efforts in safeguarding national security.

President Murmu also acknowledged the ongoing reforms within the defence establishment, tracing the journey of jointness to the establishment of the Department of Military Affairs, headed by the Chief of Defence Staff. She pointed out the progress toward creating Integrated Theatre Commands and Integrated Battle Groups, which are reshaping the military structure to meet contemporary challenges. In the face of a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape and shifting security dynamics, she expressed satisfaction with India’s efforts to transform its Armed Forces into a technologically advanced, combat-ready entity capable of executing multi-domain integrated operations.

Concluding her remarks, the President commended the National Defence College for its exemplary international program, which has set a global standard for security-related education and training. She expressed confidence that the course has effectively nurtured mutual understanding, enhanced cooperation, and forged vital connections across national, regional, and international security domains, reinforcing India’s leadership in defence education.