PM Modi reaches Kolkata; defence chiefs, Rajnath, Doval to join key military meet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kolkata on Sunday evening after a two-day tour of Northeast India. He landed at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport at 6:45 p.m., where Union Minister of State for Education and DoNER, Sukanta Majumdar, welcomed him.
From the airport, Modi was greeted by enthusiastic BJP workers and supporters who lined up with drums and slogans. Responding to their welcome, the Prime Minister stopped his convoy, stepped out of his car, and waved before proceeding to Raj Bhavan, where he stayed overnight.
On Monday morning, Modi will inaugurate and address the 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference-2025 at Fort William, the Eastern Command headquarters of the Indian Army. The three-day event (September 15–17), held once every two years, is the apex-level brainstorming forum of the Armed Forces. This year’s theme, “Year of Reforms – Transforming for the Future”, will guide deliberations on reforms, integration, technological modernisation, and multi-domain preparedness to strengthen India’s defence forces in a changing geo-strategic landscape.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, senior ministry officials, and top officers from the three Services will attend the conference. Both Rajnath Singh and Ajit Doval also reached Kolkata on Sunday evening.
According to the schedule, Modi will visit Vijay Durg in Fort William at 9:30 a.m. to attend the session, which will continue until around 1 p.m. He is expected to leave for Bihar in the afternoon.
In view of the visit, Kolkata Police issued traffic restrictions for September 15–16. Goods vehicles have been barred from key routes—including VIP Road, EM Bypass, Maa Flyover, AJC Bose Road, Red Road, and areas around Raj Bhavan—during designated hours to ensure smooth movement of the Prime Minister’s convoy.