India is a "bright spot" amid international turmoil and despair, according to Army Chief Gen. Manoj Pande

 India is a "bright spot" amid international turmoil and despair, according to Army Chief Gen. Manoj Pande

During the Chanakya Defence Dialogue, General Pande said that India is expanding its defense wings globally and that the Army is eager to increase the extent and magnitude of cooperative military training and exercises with friendly foreign partner countries.

With regard to the ongoing border dispute with China in eastern Ladakh, India's outlook emphasizes respect for the territorial integrity and sovereign status of all nations, as well as negotiation to resolve disputes and adherence to international law, Chief of Army Staff Gen. Manoj Pande stated on Friday.

During the Chanakya Defence Dialogue, General Pande said that India is expanding its defense wings globally and that the Army is eager to increase the extent and magnitude of cooperative military training and exercises with friendly foreign partner countries.

Examining the contemporary geopolitical upheavals, he emphasized the need of recognizing the "renewed currency" of hard power and the increasing importance of national security in international politics.

In the midst of hopelessness and shifting geopolitics, the Chief of Army Staff referred to India as the "bright spot". "Our outlook prioritizes respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of all nations, equal treatment for all, the peaceful resolution of disputes, avoidance of use of force as well as adherence to international rules, laws as well as regulations," Gen. Pande stated without elaborating.

According to the Chief of Army Staff, India's dedication to actively involving all parties has been "unwavering and enduring" throughout time.

Within the military sphere, we recognize our place in the developing international framework. The speaker expressed his eagerness to expand the reach and magnitude of their cooperative training and exercises, as well as their interoperability, sub-regional viewpoints, and exchange of best practices with amicable international partner countries.

"To give fillip to our cooperation in defence outreach, we are establishing defence departments in new locations around the globe," he said. "The challenges we face are significant but as well are the opportunities and our collective experience and strength," said the Army Chief of Staff.

With reference to India's growing international prominence, he said that the country has a legitimate voice that is "distinct, grounded in Indian ethos and effective in articulating the challenges of the Global South."

"India, together with our allies and like-minded nations, shares shared interests and principles like democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The basis for cooperative security activities is established by this alignment of common principles, according to Gen. Pande.

"The spin-offs of these joint ventures are not restricted to security but transcend throughout the economic realm, technological development and capacity building, multilateral resolution of issues and diplomacy as well," he stated, before noting that "Our initiatives are bedrock in the Indian way."

The Chief of Army Staff said that technology is changing war fighting and strategic competitiveness in geopolitics like never before.