Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief RKS Bhadauria on Wednesday(January 1) welcomed the Centre's decision to create the post of Chief ofDefence Staff (CDS), saying that it is a bold step. He added that the IAF willextend full support to India's first CDS General Bipin Rawat. IAF ChiefBhadauria remarked that it is the responsibility of the three services of the ArmedForces to support the CDS.

“The creation of CDS is a very big step and a very-very boldstep. The onus is really on three services now to support it fully and to makeit succeed in its foundation stage and bring in the coordination, synergy,economise the effort, and really achieve everything that is desired from thispost well within the time-frame specified. It will take a lot of work and weshould be ready to do it and do it well,” the Air Chief told news agency ANI.

The IAF chief expressed confidence that the creation of thepost of the CDS will help in all the efforts that are needed to bring in theproper coordination between Indian Army, IAF and Indian Navy.

“IAF will fully support it and will help in all the effortsthat are required to bring in the jointness at the levels that are required.There are issues with training, logistics…there are areas already identified.We have done a lot in the recent past and we need to do much more and thateffort will continue,” he further stated.

General Rawat took charge as the country’s first CDS onWednesday and he was accorded the guard of honour from all the three forces.Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister AmitShah congratulated General Rawat on his appointment.

CDS General Rawat will head Department of Military Affairs,a new department created by the Centre. It is learnt that the Department ofMilitary Affairs will have under it works relating to the three forces - Army,Navy and Air Force.

General Rawat was named India's first CDS on Monday(December 30) just a day before he was to retire from service after completinga full three-year term as the Chief of Army Staff. The Union Cabinet, chairedby Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on December 24, approved the CDS post and itscharter and duties.