Several questions remain, however, over General Rawat's role and functions
Gen Rawat, who took charge as CDS, said the synergised effort of the services should not be the sum of the whole, but much more than that
In a series of tweets, Shah also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled yet another long-pending demand with India getting its first CDS.
Business Standard brings you top events that are lined up for Wednesday
Gen Rawat also said that his focus as CDS will be to integrate the efforts of the three services and to work as a team.
General Rawat's appointment was announced by the Defence Ministry last night after it was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
Gen Rawat had assumed charge as the 27th Chief of Army Staff on December 31, 2016 and retired from the post after a distinguished career. On Monday, he was appointed India's first CDS
Gen Rawat will be able to serve as CDS for a period of up to three years after the government amended the rules extending the age of retirement to 65 years
The new department will have under it works relating to the three forces -- Army, Navy and Air Force
Gen Rawat also hoped that the Army will rise to greater heights under the new chief Lt Gen M M Naravane
The outgoing Army chief thanked all the army personnel and their families for extending full support to him in his three year tenure
Manish Tewari wondered if the CDS as Permanent Chairperson of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee outrank the three service Chiefs
To serve six years as four-star general; opportunity for defence reform
Gen Rawat is retiring on Tuesday as Army Chief after a three-year stint. He is widely expected to be appointed as the country's first Chief of Defence Staff
Earlier on Saturday, the government announced the name of Lieutenant General Rawat as the new Chief of Army Staff
The party said Lt Gen Bipin Rawat was picked up from a pool of five senior-most officers
His remarks came days after Beijing raised eyebrows over India testing 5000 km-range Agni-V missile
At least 15 soldiers were killed in two separate avalanche hits along the LoC
Rawat says China continues to enhance its influence in the regional security environment
The Centre has appointed Dinesh Sharma as its special representative for a 'sustained dialogue'