Former Indian Army Chief: China will become India's main competitor
The remarks point to a dual security agenda for India: maintaining deterrence while seeking to settle differences through talks rather than force.
reede, 21. august 2026 08:10
Former Army chief General MM Naravane said in New Delhi on Thursday that China will be India’s main long-term competitor, while Pakistan remains an immediate focus because of continued support to terrorism.
PTI quoted Naravane at a book launch event in a report carried by Times of India. "Pakistan 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 said.
Naravane said India’s attention remains on its western borders because of Pakistan’s continued support to terrorism, but he drew a distinction between Pakistan and China. "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," he said.
Naravane, who was Chief of Army Staff during the 2020 Ladakh clashes with China and led India’s response, said the competition with Beijing would span politics, economics, trade and military affairs. "Wherever there is competition, there is always a little bit of conflict," he said.
He said India should try to resolve differences through talks and dialogue, and that force should be the last priority. Naravane also said India must maintain strong deterrence and keep the armed forces ready at all times to prevent any use of force or misadventure.
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