India needs to understand the situation along its unstable western and northern borders as a “two-front” contingency and prepare accordingly, according to Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari. He was referring to the potential challenge of a combined military threat from China and Pakistan. In an exclusive interview with PTI, the Chief of Air Staff said that India could face attacks on multiple fronts, from military standoffs to information manipulation and blackouts in the future. India’s security doctrines and capabilities will need to be prepared for these possibilities. When asked about whether Russian aggression could encourage China to be more aggressive along the LAC, he said that the effects of global events and geopolitical developments on India’s engagement with Beijing are being continually assessed across various domains. He emphasized the need for India to accurately identify immediate and future threats in order to develop necessary capability responses to counter them. Referring to China’s rapid deployment of air assets along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, he stated that the IAF can deliver the desired punch within a very short time-frame when required. The Chief of Air Staff noted that any future conflict will require the integration of all elements of the national security apparatus to make it an “All-of-Nation-Approach.” He emphasized the need for India to comprehend the situation as a “two-front” contingency and prepare accordingly due to the unsettled borders on its western and northern fronts. He also stressed that India’s military operational plans, capability enhancement, and training should always cater for a wide spectrum of threats from either or both fronts. The IAF chief also highlighted the need for India to be prepared for an event-based short-duration operation, requiring quick planning, rapid deployment of assets, and swift action. He mentioned that the IAF is working on all these aspects to build a credible force to cater to all contingencies. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari expressed confidence that the Indian armed forces have provided enough deterrence to prevent any “misadventure on our borders.” He also addressed China’s expanding military infrastructure along the LAC, stating that the IAF continually keeps abreast of capability developments across the borders and takes actions to mitigate any threats that such developments may cause. He also noted the infrastructure upgrades in the North-Eastern region to meet the requirements of new inductions and operational imperatives. He mentioned that the IAF can deliver the desired punch within a very short time-frame when required, without commenting on the actual deployment. Regarding the role of the IAF in the Indo-Pacific, the Air Chief Marshal stated its commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and the progression of a rules-based order in the region in line with the country’s foreign policy. He emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, tranquillity, freedom of movement, and equal rights for all nations in the region, regardless of their size and might. He also highlighted India’s growing stature and its convergence with like-minded nations and global stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific.
