Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Friday said that surprise remains a crucial factor for success in war.
“In the Uri surgical strike, India destroyed terrorist hideouts through the land route, while in Balakot, an air strike was carried out. After the Pahalgam attack, low-altitude drones were used. Indian forces surprised the enemy every time and achieved their objectives,” he said.
Speaking as the Chief Guest at a seminar on ‘National Security Challenges Before India’ in Gorakhpur, the CDS said that Indian forces are always ready to safeguard the nation 365 days, 24×7. “Wherever the terrorist is, he will be found and eliminated,” he asserted.
General Chauhan described national security as a broad and significant subject, noting that every section of society views it differently.
“An ambassador sees it through a bilateral or multilateral lens, an economist from the perspective of economic security, while a soldier’s view is altogether different. Acharya Chanakya identified four types of threats—internal, external, internal with external cooperation, and external with internal cooperation,” he said.
The CDS underlined three essential components of national security: land, ideology and citizens. “The security of these three pillars is vital for the security of the nation,” he remarked.
He also elaborated on the three circles of military security, defence of the nation, and national security, while stressing the need for strategic culture, defence resources, and research and development. “In this context, a National Defence University is necessary in the coming times,” he added.
Quoting a German scholar, General Chauhan said that war is an extension of politics. “War and international politics cannot be seen in isolation. When a government decides that force must be used against another nation, it directs the military accordingly. Trust in military capability and the diversity of military options then become critical,” he said.
He observed that the strength of military capability depends on how much a nation spends on defence in peacetime. He highlighted India’s military demonstration in Galwan and Balakot, saying that after Balakot, Pakistan focused on air defence while India strengthened long-range weaponry.
Recalling Operation Sindoor, General Chauhan said the political leadership had clearly directed that only terrorist hideouts were to be targeted, not civilian areas. “The purpose of Operation Sindoor was not just retaliation but also to enhance the level of patience. It was the first operation where there was minimal face-to-face fighting. There was neither a defined front nor a rear. Operation Sindoor has not been officially terminated yet,” he noted.
On security challenges, the CDS said that border disputes remain the foremost concern for India. “Wars with Pakistan and China were the result of border disputes. Other challenges include Pakistan’s proxy war, instability in neighbouring countries, and the changing nature of warfare. War is now becoming decentralized, and in the future, we may see new forms such as technology-driven, robotic, and unmanned wars,” he cautioned.
General Chauhan also spoke about the ‘New Normal’ in security, saying, “Just as work-from-home became common after Covid, and digital transactions after demonetization, the new normal in security is clear—terrorism and talks, or trade, cannot go together.”
Referring to the ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ air defence system announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CDS said it is targeted for completion by 2035. “The Sudarshan Chakra will act both as a sword and a shield. A secure and strong India aspires to play the role of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” he concluded.