China, not Pakistan, is India's long-term rival: Ex-Army Chief Naravane

NEW DELHI: India's former Army Chief, General MM Naravane (Retd), has said that while Pakistan remains a persistent security challenge, China will be India's main competitor in the long run. Speaking at a book launch event in New Delhi on Thursday, General Naravane drew a clear distinction between the two neighbouring nations and their respective threats to 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,” General Naravane said, as quoted by PTI.

However, he explained that India’s immediate focus on Pakistan is driven largely by the continuing threat of cross-border terrorism. China, on the other hand, is best described as a “competitor” rather than an “enemy,” he emphasised.

“We have fought major wars with Pakistan, and because of their continued support to terrorism, our attention is towards our western borders. But I think we are very clear that 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.

General Naravane served as Chief of Army Staff from December 2019 to April 2022. During his tenure, India witnessed the intense 2020 Ladakh border clash with China, which resulted in a prolonged standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). His comments come at a time when India and China are engaged in multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks to resolve the remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh.

According to General Naravane, the competition with China will extend across multiple domains, not just the military. “They are going to be our main competitor in all fields. Political, economic, trade, and of course military also. And wherever there is competition, there is always a little bit of conflict,” he observed.

He stressed that such differences should be managed through talks and diplomatic mechanisms, with force being the last resort. “It is up to us to try to resolve those conflicts, those differences, through the mechanisms of talks, dialogues. And taking recourse to the use of force should always be the last priority,” he said.

At the same time, the former Army chief underlined the need for credible military preparedness to prevent any misadventure. “There comes a moment when you realise that this is not going to happen. And therefore, you have to have a strong deterrence. That is why the armed forces have to be ready at all times. You have to have a strong deterrence to stop anybody from taking recourse to the use of force or any misadventure,” he remarked.

His remarks reflect a broader strategic assessment among Indian defence experts that while Pakistan remains a live threat, especially with its sponsorship of terrorism, the rise of China poses a more fundamental, long-term geopolitical challenge. The shift in India’s strategic focus is evident in its growing emphasis on infrastructure along the LAC, modernisation of its armed forces, and deeper partnerships with like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

The former Army chief’s statement is also a reminder that India’s national security planners are now preparing for a multi-front scenario — managing terrorism from the west while ensuring that the borders with China remain secure and stable.

General Naravane’s use of the term “competitor” is significant in diplomatic terms. It acknowledges the reality of friction between the two Asian giants while also leaving room for dialogue and cooperation. His insistence on resolving differences through talks underscores India’s commitment to peaceful coexistence, even as it maintains a robust defence posture to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.