General Dwivedi said the Indian Army’s readiness has transformed to match the demands of modern, multi-domain warfare. “If Pakistan gives another opportunity, we will not hesitate to show how responsible nations deal with their neighbours,” he remarked, stressing that deterrence rests on the enemy’s belief in India’s willingness to act immediately if threatened.
Outlining the evolving security landscape, the Army Chief said India today operates across five generations of warfare, where decisions that once took days must now be made within hours. “Even if a war has to be fought in 48 hours, the nation’s full strength must be mobilised together,” he said.
General Dwivedi also highlighted the Army’s expanding role in diplomacy, noting that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had underscored the military’s importance in shaping India’s strategic outreach. He pointed to the October 2024 breakthrough in Eastern Ladakh as a turning point in India-China ties, adding that both nations recognised the value of restoring stability.
On internal security, the Army Chief said rising public confidence is reflected in growing civilian movement into Jammu and Kashmir, with many former residents expressing a desire to return. He added that the Army is advancing its own long-term overhaul through a “Decade of Transformation”, aligned with the government’s designation of 2025 as the “Year of Reform”.
Discussing budgetary support, General Dwivedi said defence procurement allocations for 2024-25 had been increased significantly, ensuring no shortage of funds for modernisation.
His remarks follow two recent statements: on November 5 he emphasised that no nation can remain secure in isolation, and on November 1 he reiterated that Operation Sindoor was conducted without harming innocents, saying the Army “never attacked during namaz or any religious prayer.”
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