General Bipin Rawat, however, did not delve into the plan. (File)
New Delhi:
India is looking to “create a rocket,” defense chief of staff chief Bipin Rawat said on Wednesday, even as he stressed the need for extensive use of niche technology to combat various security challenges including the possible aggression of China.
In a speech, General Rawat described Pakistan as a “representative” of China, noting that Islamabad will continue its “war of representatives” against India in Jammu and Kashmir and is now trying to do so. create problems in the Punjab and some other parts of the country.
“As for our northern adversary, as we have unstable borders with them and have shown aggression on the east coast, in the South China Sea with nations in this area, it is likely that (China) will show aggression on our northern borders? ” Said the Rawat gene.
“Whether it occurs in the form of direct aggression or through the use of technology, we must be prepared. This preparation can only occur if we work together,” the Chief of Defense Staff said.
Referring to the measures initiated to bolster India’s air power, he said, “We are looking to create a rocket force.” General Rawat, however, did not delve into the plan.
On the situation in Afghanistan, General Rawat said no one ever thought the Taliban would take control of the country “so quickly.”
“Only time will tell what is happening. We are waiting and watching. We do not know what is likely to happen in the future in Afghanistan. There could be even more turbulence and more changes that cannot be predicted now,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, former Secretary of Defense NN Vohra called for the declassification of the Henderson Brookes report on the 1962 war with China to be allowed.
Speaking of general geopolitical developments, General Rawat said China’s rise has been faster than expected and increasingly aggressive.
“We share a land border with them. So I think it’s time we start examining our strategies on how we will deal with two borders with aggressive neighbors, Pakistan on the western front and China on the north.” He said.
“We need to start looking at transformation to improve and ensure that the national security architecture we want to develop is able to deal with the kind of threats we are seeing,” he added.
The defense chief of staff said ensuring integration between the armed forces was key to meeting future security challenges.
He said technology should be considered as the fifth pillar of national power after diplomacy, information, military and economic capability.
The defense chief of staff said the three forces must understand the importance of new technologies in meeting future challenges.
Referring to the ambitious theatrical initiative of the three services, Gen Rawat said the plan has been to have a theatrical command each for the western and northern border.
Asked about the key roles of top commanders in case of war, he said the leaders of the three forces will ensure training and examine the ways of commanding the theater in addition to other key aspects.
General Rawat said any war will be fought accurately by the theater commanders according to an approved plan made by the chiefs of the staff committee. The Chiefs of Staff Committee shall be headed by the Chief of Defense Cabinet.
In his speech, General Rawat spoke extensively about India’s future military challenges, security doctrine and key aspects of the ambitious armed forces reform process.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)