Army Chief outlines ‘IKIGAI’ framework to boost Indo-Pacific land forces cooperation

Story by  ANI | Posted by  Vidushi Gaur | Date 18-12-2025
Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi
Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi

 

New Delhi

Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Thursday outlined the ‘IKIGAI’ Framework as a roadmap for strengthening land power cooperation among Indo-Pacific nations while addressing the 3rd Land Forces Summit hosted by the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF).

According to the Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI), General Dwivedi delivered the address virtually at the summit, which was attended by Chiefs of Armies and senior military leaders from Australia, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia and the United States.

The Army Chief said the ‘IKIGAI’ Framework offers a shared and structured approach to enhancing multilateral military collaboration across the Indo-Pacific, with a focus on interoperability, cooperation and collective preparedness among regional land forces.

Explaining the framework, the ADG PI said it is built around six key pillars — Interoperability and Information Sharing; Knowledge and Professional Military Education; International Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief; Generative Technological Partnerships; Assurance for Security Partnerships; and Integrated Logistics and Sustainment.

“The IKIGAI Framework encompasses: I – Interoperability and Information Sharing, K – Knowledge and Professional Military Education, I – International Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, G – Generative Technological Partnerships, A – Assurance for Security Partnerships, and I – Integrated Logistics and Sustainment,” the ADG PI said.

General Dwivedi also highlighted three pillars of convergence critical for effective cooperation: Shared Diagnosis, Shared Principles and Shared Actions.

He emphasised that the framework reflects a shared purpose among Indo-Pacific nations to harness collective land power in support of regional peace, stability and prosperity.

The Army said the Land Forces Summit serves as an important multilateral platform to strengthen Army-to-Army defence cooperation through senior leadership engagement and structured dialogue.

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According to the Government of Japan, the term ‘ikigai’ refers to a passion or purpose that brings value and joy to life.