Former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane told that Operation Sindoor sent a strong message to Pakistan, deterring it from any further adventures on the Line of Control. The operation proved the high price of adopting an aggressive path, he added.
General Naravane gave these comments while speaking at the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India in Pune. He mentioned that while both nations have achieved a ceasefire agreement, the future of bilateral relations is uncertain.
Looking back at the latest military action, General Naravane stated, “Last week have been a tumultuous week beginning with operation Sindoor where the Indian Armed forces strikes on the terrorist camps and infrastructure in Pakistan and POK followed by four days of intense aerial and land battles. Finally culminated with announcement of cessation of military operation, this is cessation of military operations not the ceasefire we will have to wait and watch how things unfold in the days and weeks to come,” as reported by ANI.
War Is Not Glamorous
Talking about the psychological and emotional trauma inflicted due to war, General Naravane cautioned people not to glamourize it. “War is not your Bollywood film, wars are not romantic; it is a serious matter,” he remarked.
He talked of the appalling human toll and went on, “Children lose parents, and at times, even children fall prey to indiscriminate shelling.” In his opinion, war’s wounds usually last for generations.
The High Cost of Conflict
General Naravane also noted that war is financially expensive. “War is an expensive business,” he said, citing the loss of expensive military equipment as well as the long-term economic cost of post-war reconstruction.
He also clarified that defence expenditure should not be considered wasteful. “The argument about how much to spend on defence versus education, healthcare, and sanitation is an old one. Defence spending is not wasteful but an indispensable ‘insurance’ for the nation. A well-trained military prevents conflict and also gives a boost to the local economy. War is costly, and its consequences are even more expensive. Hence, such investment is essential for national security,” he added.
Reacting to speculation on why India did not engage in a full war with Pakistan, General Naravane emphasized diplomacy. “Being a soldier, if commanded, I will go to war. That would, however, not be my preference,” he asserted, emphasizing that peaceful options were always a priority over using armed force.
