Former Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Mukund Naravane, speaking at the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India in Pune, reflected on the recent Operation Sindoor, praising India’s military precision but cautioning against romanticizing war.
General Naravane said that Operation Sindoor had sent a “strong message” to Pakistan, warning against further “misadventures across the Line of Control”. The Indian Armed Forces, through a series of strategic strikes, destroyed terrorist infrastructure and key airfields deep inside Pakistani territory — a move he said has prompted initial talks between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations on the possibility of a cessation of hostilities.
“The last week has been tumultuous… four days of intense aerial and land battles… culminating with the announcement of cessation of military operations,” he noted.
“Let’s be clear — this is not a ceasefire. It’s a pause. We will have to wait and watch how things unfold.”
On Diplomacy vs. All-Out War
Addressing the popular debate on why India did not pursue a full-scale war, General Naravane reaffirmed his belief in diplomacy first, stating:
“As a military man, if ordered, I will go to war. But that would not be my first choice.”
War Is Costly: Financially and Socially
Naravane delivered a sobering reminder of the true cost of war, warning against the glamorization of conflict:
“War is not your Bollywood movie. Wars are not romantic. It is serious business.”
He elaborated on the devastating consequences:
- Aircraft and military assets worth millions destroyed
- High financial costs for reconstruction
- Long-term trauma for civilians and soldiers
- Displacement, loss of families, and generational suffering
“Children lose their parents, and sometimes children themselves become victims of indiscriminate shelling,” he said.
Defence Spending: Not Wasteful, But Strategic Insurance
General Naravane addressed criticism about rising defence budgets, stressing that defence spending is an “insurance policy”:
“A well-prepared military deters conflict and enhances strategic autonomy… It also boosts the local economy through indigenous development.”
He backed the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and cited the use of Indian-made weapons and systems during Operation Sindoor as a testament to self-reliance in national defence.
Echoing PM Modi: “This Is Not the Era of War”
In closing, the former Army Chief aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s philosophy:
“This is not the era of war. While conflicts may be thrust upon us, war should never be celebrated.”
Key Takeaways:
- Gen Naravane lauds Operation Sindoor but warns: “This is not a Bollywood movie.”
- India’s limited but strategic strikes prompted DGMO-level talks with Pakistan.
- Military operations exact huge financial and emotional costs.
- Advocates diplomacy first; supports defence spending as vital insurance.
- Reinforces PM Modi’s stand: “This is not the era of war.”