Border dispute with China biggest security challenge: CDS

The unresolved boundary dispute with China was the biggest national security challenge followed by Pakistan's proxy war and its strategy of "bleeding India by a thousand cuts", Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan said on Friday.The top military official identified regional instability and its impact on India, and the preparations needed to handle future battlefield scenarios with high technology components in a rapidly challenging environment as the third and fourth major challenges.

In an address at an event in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur, the chief of defence staff (CDS) said dealing with threats emanating from two adversaries with nuclear weapons was another major challenge facing India as it would have to be prepared for any kind of conventional warfare.

Gen Chauhan said the armed forces were given full operational freedom to conduct Operation Sindoor and its aim was not only to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack, but also to draw a "red line" on cross-border terrorism.

In first such public comments, the CDS also said the National Security Adviser (NSA) had played a significant role in planning and implementation of Operation Sindoor in terms of providing guidance to the military that included target selection, deployment of troops, framework for de-escalation and use of diplomacy. However, the highlight of his address was his elaboration of India's national security challenges.

"I consider the unresolved border dispute with China as the biggest challenge. The second major challenge is the proxy war being run by Pakistan against India," Gen Chauhan said.

"Pakistan's strategy has been to 'bleed India by a thousand cuts. It means keep hurting India slowly at a regular interval and keep the flow of blood continuing in the country." The military official said the third biggest security challenge is emanating from the regional instability, especially the way India's neighbouring countries are facing social, political, and economic unrest.

Such a situation impacts India as well, he said.

"The fourth challenge would be what kind of warfare we will have in future. Wars are changing rapidly. Future wars will not be confined to land, air and water. It will include space, cyber and electromagnetic domains. It will be a challenge for us to make adjustments and keep ourselves ready for such a scenario," he said.

On the fifth challenge, the CDS said "both our adversaries are equipped with nuclear arsenals and It will remain a challenge for us what kind of conventional war we will fight and what kind of operation we choose to deal with them." Gen Chauhan said the sixth challenge is about "technology and its impact" on future warfare.

Sharing some details of Operation Sindoor, he said the military had full operational freedom, including planning and selection of the targets.

"The aim was not only to avenge the (Pahalgam) terrorist attack, but also to draw a red line of our patience," he said.

The CDS said the National Security Advisor (NSA) has a significant role to play in dealing with national security challenges and it was evident during Operation Sindoor.

"That was seen in the operation. The NSA provided guidance that included help in target selection, deployment of troops in terms of size and timing -- how to do it in a non-escalatory manner, framework for de-escalation and use of diplomacy," he said.

Gen Chauhan said the tri-services synergy was also on full display during the May 7 to 10 operation.