In a compelling address delivered in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, on September 5, 2025, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan identified the unresolved border dispute with China as India’s foremost national security challenge, followed closely by Pakistan’s proxy war strategy aimed at “bleeding India by a thousand cuts.” Speaking at a high-profile event, Gen Chauhan outlined six key threats facing the nation, emphasizing the need for strategic preparedness in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.

Gen Chauhan highlighted Pakistan’s persistent efforts to destabilize India through cross-border terrorism, describing their approach as a deliberate strategy to inflict continuous harm. The third challenge, he noted, stems from regional instability, with social, political, and economic unrest in neighboring countries impacting India’s security. The fourth challenge involves adapting to the changing nature of warfare, which now extends beyond traditional domains of land, air, and sea to include cyber, space, and electromagnetic spheres.

The fifth challenge lies in confronting two nuclear-armed adversaries—China and Pakistan—requiring careful calibration of conventional military operations. The sixth challenge, Gen Chauhan emphasized, is the transformative impact of technology on future warfare, necessitating advancements in indigenous defense capabilities.

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Reflecting on Operation Sindoor, launched from May 7 to 10, 2025, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Gen Chauhan revealed that the Indian armed forces operated with full autonomy in planning and target selection. The operation, a multi-domain effort involving cyber warfare and tri-services coordination, aimed not only to retaliate but also to set a firm boundary against state-sponsored terrorism. The National Security Advisor played a pivotal role, guiding target selection, troop deployment, de-escalation strategies, and diplomatic efforts to ensure a non-escalatory approach.

Gen Chauhan praised the seamless integration of the Army, Navy, and Air Force during Operation Sindoor, highlighting efforts to synergize communication systems, air defense, and counter-drone technologies. He underscored the importance of jointmanship among the services, a focus of recent military reforms, and described the operation as a demonstration of India’s resolve to combat terrorism decisively.

Amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions, including a relative thaw in India-China relations, Gen Chauhan stressed that the border dispute with China remains a persistent challenge along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). His candid remarks underscore India’s need for constant vigilance and technological innovation to navigate a complex security environment defined by nuclear threats, regional volatility, and evolving warfare domains.

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