Pakistan immediate threat, China long-term competitor: Ex-Army chief Naravane

Speaking at the launch of his new book, The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries, former Army chief General Manoj Naravane drew a clear distinction between the challenges posed by Pakistan and China.

In Short

• India's immediate security focus is on Pakistan due to terrorism threat, says ex-Army chief
• China viewed as India's main long-term competitor across multiple sectors
• Differences with China should be resolved through talks and dialogue, he adds

Former Army chief General Manoj Naravane on Thursday said India’s immediate security focus remains on Pakistan because of the continuing threat of terrorism, but China is likely to emerge as New Delhi’s main long-term competitor across political, economic, trade and military spheres.

Speaking at the launch of his new book, The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries, published by Rupa Publications, Naravane drew a clear distinction between the challenges posed by Pakistan and China. He said India should manage its differences with China through talks and dialogue while maintaining a credible military deterrent.

“Pakistan and China are a totally different ballgame. We have fought wars with both of them. We have unsettled borders. So they will always remain on our radar as a threat, as a challenge,” Naravane said.

“Because of their continued support to terrorism, our attention is towards our western borders. But I think we are very clear that in the long term and in the years to come, China is going to be our main competitor. And I purposely use the word competitor and not enemy,” he added.

Naravane said China’s competition with India would extend well beyond the military sphere.

“They are going to be our main competitor in all fields. Political, economic, trade, and, of course, military also. And wherever there is competition, there is always a little bit of conflict,” said Naravane, who served as Army chief from December 31, 2019, to April 30, 2022.

At the same time, he said India should seek to resolve differences with China peacefully. “It is up to us to try to resolve those conflicts, those differences, through the mechanisms of talks, dialogues. And taking recourse to the use of force should always be the last priority,” he said.

But diplomacy, he stressed, must be backed by military strength. “There comes a moment when you realise that this is not going to happen. And therefore, you have to have a strong deterrence,” Naravane said, adding that the armed forces must remain prepared to prevent any “misadventure."

On India’s wider neighbourhood, Naravane said New Delhi should work to promote stability in Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

“You can’t choose your neighbours, in real life also, and in geopolitics also. You have to make the best of what you have,” he said.

He warned that instability in neighbouring countries could have direct consequences for India, including refugee flows, smuggling, drug trafficking and the movement of illegal arms. Referring to the influx of refugees from Myanmar, he said, “If your neighbouring country is burning, that should not make you happy.”

“Therefore, we need to help these countries to be stable,” he added.

Naravane said peace should remain India’s ultimate objective, but the country must retain enough military capability to protect its interests.

“If you want peace, prepare for war,” he said, summing up his approach to India’s security challenges and its relations with its neighbours.

- Ends