Chief of Defence Staff Identifies China Border Dispute and Pakistan's Proxy War as Top Security Challenges
India's Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan, has identified the unresolved border dispute with China as the nation's foremost security challenge. The second major threat is Pakistan's long-standing proxy war and its strategy to 'bleed India by a thousand cuts'. In a comprehensive assessment, Gen Chauhan also highlighted regional instability, the need to prepare for technology-driven future warfare, and the complexities of dealing with two nuclear-armed adversaries as other critical challenges facing the country's armed forces.
Unpacked:
The dispute stems from colonial-era border agreements, notably the McMahon Line, which China never accepted. Key contested areas include Aksai Chin (administered by China, claimed by India) and Arunachal Pradesh (administered by India, claimed by China). The lack of mutually recognized boundaries and decades of failed negotiations have perpetuated tensions.
Pakistan’s strategy refers to its use of proxy militant groups and cross-border terrorism to destabilize India without direct military conflict. This approach has fueled ongoing violence, especially in Kashmir, and contributed to persistent mistrust and instability between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
India is focusing on modernizing its armed forces by investing in advanced technologies such as drones, cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, and electronic warfare systems. These efforts aim to keep pace with evolving threats and the technological advancements of adversaries like China.
India faces the risk of escalation from border clashes or proxy conflicts with either China or Pakistan, both of which possess nuclear weapons. The presence of nuclear arms increases the stakes of any confrontation and necessitates careful diplomatic and military strategies to avoid unintended escalation.