China to be India's main long-term competitor, need strong military deterrence: ex-Army chief Manoj Naravane

China is likely to emerge as Indias main longterm 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 saidNaravane 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 deterrenceHe 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 PublicationsPakistan and China pose different challengesSpeaking about Indias security challenges from its neighbours Naravane said Pakistan and China occupy different positions despite both having fought wars with India and having unsettled bordersPakistan 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 notedNaravane said Indias immediate focus on Pakistan has largely been driven by the continued threat of terrorism and the alleged support extended to terrorist groupsWe 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 saidCompetition with China extends beyond military affairsAccording to Naravane competition between India and China will extend well beyond the military sphereHe said the two countries would compete across political economic and traderelated areas in addition to military affairsThey 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 insistedNaravane served as Army chief from December 31 2019 to April 30 2022Dialogue should remain the first optionWhile stressing the need for military preparedness Naravane said India should prioritise dialogue and diplomatic mechanisms to manage differences with China and other countriesIt 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 maintainedHe said there could be situations where diplomatic efforts fail making credible military deterrence necessary to prevent potential aggressionThere 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 timesThat 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 saidIndia needs a stable neighbourhoodNaravane also spoke about Indias wider neighbourhood saying New Delhi should work towards maintaining stability in countries including Nepal Bhutan Bangladesh and MyanmarYou cant choose your neighbours in real life also and in geopolitics also You have to make the best of what you have he saidHe said instability in neighbouring countries could directly affect Indias peace and development including through refugee flows smuggling drug trafficking and the movement of illegal armsIf 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 exampleStability in neighbouring countries is vitalThe former Army chief said instability along Indias borders could have direct consequences for the country particularly through the movement of narcotics and other illegal goodsTherefore we need to help out these countries to be stable Naravane saidHe 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 necessaryIf you want peace prepare for war Naravane addedWith inputs from PTI