‘Pakistan Will Remain a Major Security Concern’: Former CDS Anil Chauhan

New Delhi, September 5: Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has said that Pakistan will continue to remain a major security concern for India, pointing to cross-border terrorism and the presence of nuclear weapons.

 

 

Speaking at an event marking the 139th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant, General Chauhan said India’s security environment is shaped by multiple challenges along its borders. He highlighted the combination of nuclear weapons and cross-border terrorism as a major concern.

 

“Pakistan will remain a major security concern,” Chauhan said, explaining that nuclear weapons have created stability at the highest level while also allowing instability at lower levels. He referred to this as the “stability paradox”.

 

According to the former CDS, Pakistan’s strategy has been to limit the possibility of conventional military operations while increasing the scope for sub-conventional activities such as terrorism.

 

General Chauhan also highlighted the growing uncertainty in global geopolitics. He said traditional global power balances are weakening while a new international order is taking shape. He stressed the need for India to strengthen self-reliance, reduce vulnerabilities and avoid excessive dependence on external sources.

 

 

 

Technology, he said, is another major challenge for modern defence forces. The rapid pace of technological change is making it difficult for traditional military organisations and decision-making systems to keep pace.

 

He said warfare is also changing rapidly, becoming more precise, dispersed and networked. Cyber operations, electronic warfare, space capabilities, economic pressure, legal tools and information campaigns are increasingly becoming part of modern conflicts.On India’s future defence preparedness, Chauhan raised questions over whether the country should focus on short and intense wars or prepare for longer strategic contests. He also stressed the importance of developing capabilities across traditional domains such as land, sea and air, along with newer areas including space, cyber and information warfare.

 

 

He said India must develop suitable military doctrines, training systems and decision-making structures to deal with both traditional and emerging forms of warfare.