China poses greater long-term challenge than Pakistan, says former army chief Naravane

General Manoj Naravane, who recently completed his tenure as the country's top military officer, has drawn a distinction between India's security challenges, placing China at the centre of strategic concerns for the coming decades.

While acknowledging that Pakistan remains a persistent threat primarily through terrorism and cross-border militant activities, Naravane suggested that China represents a more comprehensive competitive challenge. The former army chief indicated that China would contest India across multiple fronts including political influence, economic leverage, commercial interests, and military capability.

Naravane advocated for a calibrated approach to managing India's relationship with Beijing, emphasising that bilateral differences should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation rather than military confrontation. He characterised the use of force as a last resort rather than a primary policy instrument.

The remarks reflect ongoing assessments within India's defence establishment regarding the country's twin security concerns in South and East Asia, with particular focus on the strategic implications of great power competition in the region.