Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has cautioned about a potential convergence of political and strategic interests between China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, which could pose significant security challenges for India. Speaking at an event organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in New Delhi, where the think tank unveiled its 2024 Foreign Policy Survey, Gen. Chauhan highlighted the evolving geopolitical landscape in South Asia and its implications for India's security.

Concerns over Regional Stability

Gen. Chauhan pointed out that frequent changes in government, evolving geopolitical alignments, and ideological shifts in the region present a growing challenge to India's long-term security. He warned that a "possible convergence of interest between China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh" could have "serious implications for regional stability and the broader security dynamics of South Asia". This convergence, he suggested, could manifest as a coordinated effort to undermine India's influence and strategic interests in the region.

Debt Diplomacy and Economic Vulnerabilities

The CDS also raised concerns about the economic vulnerabilities of countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), which are being exploited by external powers through "debt diplomacy". This practice, he explained, allows these powers to exert undue influence in the region, creating strategic vulnerabilities for India. China's growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean and its increasing influence in India's neighborhood further compound New Delhi's threat perception.

The China-Pakistan Nexus

The CDS's warning comes against the backdrop of a long-standing strategic partnership between China and Pakistan. Beijing's sustained military and nuclear modernization, coupled with its "ever-expanding collusion with Pakistan," necessitates that India maintain its guard. Pakistan's military establishment has continued its anti-India terrorism campaign, with the activation of militancy south of Pir Panjal and the ongoing push for cross-border militant infiltration by the Pakistan Army having unsettling consequences for the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Operation Sindoor and Nuclear Deterrence

Gen. Chauhan addressed the May 7-10 military conflict between India and Pakistan, triggered by a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir. He noted that it was perhaps the first time that two nuclear weapon states were directly engaged in hostilities. India launched strikes on what it claimed were terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan. Pakistan retaliated, and the conflict saw the use of advanced weaponry and tactics, including missile and airstrikes. Despite the nuclear overhang, Gen Chauhan emphasized that the conflict demonstrated that nuclear weapons do not necessarily deter conventional warfare. He also stated that Operation Sindoor is currently on pause but not over, and there is expanded space for conventional operations if needed.

Cybersecurity and Information Warfare

The CDS also highlighted the growing threats from misinformation, cyberattacks, and the weaponization of digital spaces, which have created new frontiers of conflict. He stressed the need to address these challenges to safeguard national security. India remains highly vulnerable to email and malware threats, with the banking, financial services, and government sectors being the most targeted.

Preparing for Future Challenges

Gen. Chauhan emphasized that India needs to prepare for both old and new forms of warfare, given the rapidly changing nature of modern conflict. He underscored the importance of being prepared for threats that can escalate suddenly, necessitating diligent preparation and capability building. The CDS reiterated India's commitment to using nuclear weapons as tools of deterrence rather than instruments of war. He also stressed the importance of indigenous defense production and resilient supply chains to maintain military preparedness.