Pune: Former Army chief General Manoj Naravane on Thursday said China is likely to remain India’s main long-term competitor across multiple domains, while the threat of terrorism has largely driven New Delhi’s focus on Pakistan.Speaking on India’s security challenges from its neighbours, Naravane said Pakistan and China belong to different strategic categories, despite India having fought wars with both countries and continuing to have unsettled borders with them.
Speaking on India’s security challenges from its neighbours, Naravane said Pakistan and China belong to different strategic categories, despite India having fought wars with both countries and continuing to have unsettled borders with them.
Naravane avoided describing China as an “enemy” but emphasised the need for maintaining strong military deterrence. At the same time, he stressed that India should seek to resolve its longstanding differences with Beijing through dialogue.
He said India’s approach towards its two neighbours needs to take into account the distinct nature of the challenges posed by Pakistan and China, particularly as Beijing’s influence extends across several strategic and economic domains.
