Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan declared on Friday that Pakistan's swift and extensive military and constitutional restructuring following India's Operation Sindoor serves as a silent confession of the serious deficiencies the conflict revealed. Speaking at the Pune Public Policy Festival, the CDS provided a detailed assessment of the regional security landscape, India's defence modernisation, and future challenges.
Pakistan's Post-Conflict Reforms: An Admission of Failure
General Chauhan asserted that Operation Sindoor, launched in May 2025 after the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, compelled Pakistan to urgently re-evaluate its entire defence apparatus. "The changes brought about in Pakistan, including constitutional amendments done in haste, are an acknowledgement that everything did not go well for them during Op Sindoor," he stated. The Indian government has described the operation as "paused, not concluded."
The CDS highlighted the abolition of the post of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and its replacement with a chief of defence forces (CDF). He pointed out a critical flaw: the CDF can reportedly be appointed only by the army chief, which undermines the principle of jointness. "This resulted in an extraordinary concentration of power in a single individual who now oversees land operations, joint operations, strategic forces, and a newly created rocket force. That itself is a challenge and reflects a land-centric mindset," General Chauhan explained.
However, he noted one positive correction: Pakistan's decision to separate its conventional missile forces from nuclear assets by creating a distinct Army Rocket Force. "This separation actually adds an extra rung in the escalation ladder and pushes the nuclear threshold higher. It does not reduce nuclear stability; in fact, it enhances it," he said, aligning the move with global best practices.
India's Strategic Posture: From LAC to Modernisation
Shifting focus to the northern border, General Chauhan provided an update on India-China relations. He confirmed that disengagement agreements since October 2024 have restored patrolling rights at all points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Engagement continues positively at military and diplomatic levels, but he urged caution. "Trust is gradually rebuilding, but given today's geopolitical flux, nothing can be ruled out. We must remain prepared for any contingency, at any time," he warned.
On the nature of future warfare, the CDS outlined a fundamental global shift where technology is surpassing geography as the dominant factor. "For centuries, geography dictated warfare — from Panipat to Plassey. Today, geography is becoming less relevant, and technology is driving strategy," he observed. While non-contact and non-kinetic operations will gain prominence, he cautioned that traditional land warfare remains relevant due to India's unresolved borders. "Old-domain warfare is brutal, manpower-intensive, and attritional, as seen in Ukraine and Gaza. New-domain warfare is smarter and faster. India must prepare for both, but should avoid contact warfare wherever possible."
Roadmap for the Indian Armed Forces
Detailing India's modernisation efforts, General Chauhan said the armed forces are transitioning from manual, platform-centric warfare to net-centric and data-driven operations. This transformation is being guided by scientific tools like Operational Research and Scientific Analysis (ORSA) for better decision-making.
He strongly defended India's defence expenditure, emphasising its domestic economic impact. "Defence spending today is not a question of gun versus butter. It generates employment, GST revenue, and industrial growth," he said, adding that the government assures additional funds when operationally required. He clarified that recent procurement has been nearly 100% domestic.
On manpower, the CDS stated the forces are undergoing "rightsizing," not downsizing. Personnel are being reskilled and moved from traditional domains to emerging fields like cyber, space, and information warfare. "We are transferring manpower from older domains, retraining them, and creating new capabilities. This is a continuous process," he explained.
He expressed confidence in the progress toward establishing integrated theatre commands, calling it a key mandate. "I was given an extension till May 30. We can't do it before that," he said, indicating the process is nearing completion, with lessons from Doklam, Balakot, and Operation Sindoor being incorporated.
Addressing a key lesson from Operation Sindoor, General Chauhan admitted to a lack of a robust mechanism to counter fake news during the conflict. He revealed that a dedicated real-time system is now being implemented to monitor social and electronic media for timely dissemination of verified information. This comes after false reports, including claims of captured pilots and attacks on bases, circulated widely during the operation.
