Ex-Army Chief Naravane names China as India's main long-term competitor

Former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd.) has identified China as India's primary long-term competitor across political, economic, and military domains, while stating that Pakistan will continue to pose a significant security challenge due to its support for terrorism. He made these remarks in Pune on August 21, 2026, during the launch of his book, "The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Myths and Mysteries."

General Naravane, who served as Army Chief from 2019 to 2022, emphasized the need to differentiate between a competitor and an enemy. He stated that while India's immediate focus has historically been on its western borders with Pakistan due to the terrorism threat, the strategic focus will increasingly shift toward China. "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.

He outlined that the competition with China would be multifaceted, encompassing political influence, economic strength, trade, and military capability. Acknowledging that competition can lead to conflict, Naravane advocated for a dual approach: resolving...