India Must Shape Its Own Strategic Path, Says Defence Chief

New Delhi: Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Friday emphasised that India must develop its own strategic thinking and technological solutions to meet emerging security challenges, warning that excessive dependence on Western military concepts could make future conflicts predictable.
Addressing students and faculty at Jawaharlal Nehru University on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the Defence Chief said India’s security environment is unique and requires approaches rooted in the country’s own strategic culture. He stressed that innovation in defence should begin with original thinking within the armed forces, rather than only focusing on manufacturing or research institutions.
General Chauhan said the global security landscape is not merely evolving but undergoing deep disruption, driven largely by rapid technological advances. He noted that emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, bioengineering and genetic technologies are likely to shape the outcome of future conflicts. According to him, existing military and government structures are not fully equipped to match the pace and scale of these changes.
Highlighting shifts in global geopolitics, the CDS observed that the post-Second World War international order has been significantly weakened. He said nations are increasingly using force to achieve political goals, leading to an era marked by undeclared and informal conflicts. In this context, he underlined that comprehensive national security goes far beyond military strength and must include economic, energy, environmental, cyber and information security.
General Chauhan also spoke about India’s diplomatic strategy, pointing to the country’s simultaneous engagement with groupings such as the Quad, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. He said such multi-alignment reflects diplomatic creativity and is essential to safeguarding national interests. Referring to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, he said India is taking a long-term view to secure its trade and economic future and counter competing global initiatives.
Drawing inspiration from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the CDS said Bose’s assertive diplomacy and strategic realism remain highly relevant in today’s uncertain world. He highlighted Netaji’s integrated leadership, which combined political vision, diplomacy, military planning and logistics. He also recalled that Bose had envisioned indigenous arms production as early as 1944, reflecting an early commitment to self-reliance.
Concluding his address, General Chauhan said true defence preparedness involves not only battlefield readiness but also building national capabilities, strategic infrastructure and a strong culture of innovation to secure India’s future.