21 August,2026 10:32 AM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondent
Former Indian Army chief General Manoj Naravane. File Photo
China is likely to emerge as India's main long-term competitor across multiple domains, while Pakistan remains an immediate security concern largely because of the continuing threat of terrorism, former Army chief General Manoj Naravane has said.
Naravane, however, said he deliberately preferred the term "competitor" rather than "enemy" while referring to China. He stressed that India should seek to resolve differences with Beijing through dialogue and diplomatic mechanisms while maintaining credible military deterrence.
He made the remarks on Thursday at the launch of his new book, The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries, published by Rupa Publications.
Speaking about India's security challenges from its neighbours, Naravane said Pakistan and China occupy different positions despite both having fought wars with India and having unsettled borders.
"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," he noted.
Naravane said India's immediate focus on Pakistan has largely been driven by the continued threat of terrorism and the alleged support extended to terrorist groups.
"We have fought major wars with Pakistan, and 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," Naravane said.
According to Naravane, competition between India and China will extend well beyond the military sphere.
He said the two countries would compete across political, economic and trade-related areas, in addition to military affairs.
"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," he insisted.
Naravane served as Army chief from December 31, 2019, to April 30, 2022.
While stressing the need for military preparedness, Naravane said India should prioritise dialogue and diplomatic mechanisms to manage differences with China and other countries.
"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," the former Army chief maintained.
He said there could be situations where diplomatic efforts fail, making credible military deterrence necessary to prevent potential aggression.
"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 at all times.
"That is why the armed forces have to be ready at all times. You have to have a strong deterrence to stop anybody from taking recourse to the use of force or any misadventure," he said.
Naravane also spoke about India's wider neighbourhood, saying New Delhi should work towards maintaining stability in countries including 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 said instability in neighbouring countries could directly affect India's peace and development, including through refugee flows, smuggling, drug trafficking and the movement of illegal arms.
"If your neighbouring country is burning, that should not make you happy," he said, referring to the movement of refugees into India from Myanmar as an example.
The former Army chief said instability along India's borders could have direct consequences for the country, particularly through the movement of narcotics and other illegal goods.
"Therefore, we need to help out these countries to be stable," Naravane said.
He stressed that maintaining peace required India to have sufficient military capabilities to deter potential threats. While advocating dialogue as the preferred means of resolving disputes, he said the armed forces must remain prepared to respond if necessary.
"If you want peace, prepare for war," Naravane added.
(With inputs from PTI)
