NEW DELHI: Ashish Kundra, Chief Secretary–designate of the Union Territory of Ladakh, on Thursday called on General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), and held detailed deliberations on accelerating development initiatives in Ladakh’s “First Villages”.
The meeting focused on adopting a whole-of-government approach to border area development, with emphasis on coordinated planning among civil administration, defence forces and line departments to ensure last-mile delivery of welfare and infrastructure projects in remote and strategically sensitive regions.
During the interaction, both sides underscored the critical role of civil–military synergy in strengthening in strengthening infrastructure, improving livelihoods in remote regions and reinforcing national security through inclusive and sustainable development.
The discussion also highlighted the need to promote sustainable tourism, climate-resilient infrastructure and local skill development to curb outmigration and enhance socio-economic resilience in high-altitude villages.
General Dwivedi reiterated the Army’s commitment to supporting civil authorities in border development programmes and community outreach initiatives, noting that inclusive development in frontier areas is integral to national security.
Ashish Kundra stressed that the UT Administration of Ladakh would intensify convergence-driven planning and monitoring mechanisms to fast-track projects in the First Villages, ensuring transparency, accountability and timely implementation.
The meeting reaffirmed a shared resolve to pursue inclusive and sustainable development in Ladakh’s border regions as a cornerstone of long-term peace, prosperity and national security.
