Former Indian Army chief General Manoj Naravane stated on Thursday that China is set to emerge as India’s principal long-term competitor across political, economic, trade and military domains, even as Pakistan continues to occupy immediate attention largely because of the ongoing threat of terrorism. He made the remarks while speaking at the launch of his new book, The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries, published by Rupa Publications, during an event held in the city. The former chief used the occasion to outline his assessment of the distinct security challenges posed by India’s two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Naravane deliberately refrained from describing China as an “enemy,” instead emphasising the need for a strong military deterrent while simultaneously pursuing the resolution of longstanding differences with Beijing through dialogue and diplomacy. He placed both Pakistan and China in a separate category from other regional actors, noting that India has fought wars with each and continues to face unsettled borders with both. “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.

This dual challenge, he indicated, requires sustained strategic attention and cannot be treated as routine bilateral issues. Drawing a clear distinction between the two countries, Naravane explained that India’s focus on its western borders is driven primarily by Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism. Over the longer term, however, China is expected to become the main competitor. “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,” the general stated. He further observed that Beijing would compete with India across multiple fields — political, economic, trade and, of course, military — and that competition naturally brings with it a degree of friction or conflict.

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Managing this relationship, he suggested, will demand a comprehensive approach rather than a purely military one. Naravane served as Chief of the Army Staff from 31 December 2019 to 30 April 2022, a period that encompassed the prolonged military standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh that began in 2020. That crisis prompted a significant rebalancing of Indian forces toward the northern borders and accelerated investments in infrastructure, surveillance and operational readiness in high-altitude terrain.

His latest comments reflect a broader strategic perspective within Indian security circles that while terrorism and conventional threats from Pakistan require constant vigilance and rapid-response capabilities, the scale, resources and multi-domain character of China’s rise present a more complex and enduring challenge. Addressing this will require a careful combination of diplomatic engagement, economic resilience, technological advancement and credible military preparedness so that differences can be managed without escalation while India’s core interests remain securely protected.

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