New Delhi | In a heartwarming gesture, Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth on Wednesday saluted his father Lt Gen K M Seth (retd) and touched his feet to seek his blessings as he began his journey as the head of the 1.3 million-strong force.

Gen Seth, an accomplished military officer, who took charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff on Tuesday, also received a salute from his brother, Rear Admiral Ravnish Seth, on the sidelines of a ceremony during which the general officer was accorded a guard of honour on the lawns of the South Block here.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA) Khadakwasla, he was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986.

Gen Seth has the rare distinction of heading two operational Army commands along the western front --Jaipur-based South Western Command and Pune-based Southern Command.

At the South Block ceremony held a day after he took charge as the new Army Chief, Gen Seth's family members were also present.

After the ceremonial function, Gen Seth strode towards the guests' enclosure, stood in front of father and military veteran, Lt Gen Seth (retd), and saluted him.

The Army chief then touched his feet as his father patted on his back, as others watched the warm exchange of gestures between them.

The moment signified both the bond that exists between a father and a son, as well as the one between military leaders of two different generations, in the larger family that Indian Army proudly calls itself as.

Speaking to reporters after receiving a guard of honour on the lawns of the South Block on Wednesday, Gen Seth said the Indian Army is a combat-ready and battle hardened force, which is "always ready to face all challenges in a battlefield".

"To assume charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) is a moment of pride and humility for me. I accept this responsibility with deep commitment to the ideals of duty, honour and nation first," he said.

He also offered tribute to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.

The general officer also visited the National War Memorial and laid a wreath to pay homage to the fallen heroes of the armed forces.

Gen Seth succeeds Gen Upendra Dwivedi, who retired on June 30 after an illustrious career spanning over 40 years.