India Stands for Peace but Not Pacifism: CDS Anil Chauhan's Warning
K N Mishra
26/Aug/2025

What's covered under the Article
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CDS Anil Chauhan stressed India’s peace stance should not be mistaken for weakness, giving a veiled warning to Pakistan during his Ran Samvad address.
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Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack, remains ongoing with lessons unfolding about modern short-duration conflicts and warfare strategies.
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Chauhan highlighted four trends in future warfare, called for tri-service synergy, and aligned India’s defence with its Viksit Bharat vision of security and self-reliance.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan delivered a powerful address at the ‘Ran Samvad’ conclave held at the Army War College, sending out a strong and calculated message on India’s security posture. His remarks underscored that while India is committed to peace, it will not hesitate to use military strength when national interests and sovereignty are threatened.
India’s stance: Peace, not pacifism
In his statement, General Chauhan declared, “We are a peace-loving nation, but don’t get mistaken, we cannot be pacifists. Peace without power is utopian. If you want peace, prepare for war.” The remarks clearly served as a veiled warning to Pakistan, particularly in the context of continuing cross-border terrorism and insurgency.
The speech highlighted that India’s commitment to peace should not be equated with weakness, a point Chauhan made firmly to ensure adversaries understand the resolve of the Indian Armed Forces.
Operation Sindoor: Still ongoing
General Chauhan also addressed Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. He revealed that the operation remains ongoing, serving as a modern-day case study of warfare that continues to offer critical lessons.
Without revealing operational details, he said the conflict highlighted the changing character of wars, emphasizing rapid mobilization, use of technology, and lessons in integrated strategies.
Four trends defining future conflicts
In a detailed analysis, the CDS identified four key trends shaping the conflicts of tomorrow:
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Increased Use of Force: Nations are now more inclined to use short, high-intensity conflicts to achieve political goals.
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Blurring of War and Peace: The clear line between wartime and peacetime has diminished, replaced with a cycle of competition, crisis, confrontation, conflict, and combat.
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Role of People: Unlike wars of the past, future wars will place greater importance on the involvement of citizens and societal resilience.
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Redefining Victory: Victory is not about body counts anymore but about speed, precision, and strategic outcomes.
Linking defence with Viksit Bharat vision
General Chauhan connected India’s military preparedness with the national vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). He emphasized that India must simultaneously be Shashastra (armed), Suraksit (secure), and Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant).
This meant not only focusing on indigenous defence technology but also cultivating independent doctrines, innovative strategies, and self-sufficient defence practices.
Call for tri-service and integrated operations
The CDS stressed the importance of tri-service cooperation, noting that wars will no longer be limited to land, air, or sea. Instead, they will extend to cyber and space domains, requiring integrated planning and decisive execution.
He called for greater awareness across society, urging both academia and the armed forces to focus on doctrinal innovation and tactical adaptability in light of rapidly changing threats.
Message to adversaries
The veiled warning to Pakistan came in the backdrop of cross-border challenges and terror incidents. General Chauhan’s emphasis was clear: India seeks peace but will not compromise on security.
By framing peace in the context of preparedness, he reiterated the timeless military doctrine—deterrence comes from strength, not complacency.
Conclusion
CDS Anil Chauhan’s Ran Samvad address was a strategic signal—to India’s citizens, its armed forces, and to adversaries like Pakistan—that India’s commitment to peace will always be backed by military capability and readiness.
As the lessons from Operation Sindoor continue to shape India’s military outlook, the country stands firm on the path of self-reliance, modernisation, and decisive defence strategy aligned with its long-term national development vision.
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