At the prestigious Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan addressed key strategic concerns in South Asia, including the state of India-Pakistan relations. Speaking on a panel of global defence leaders, General Chauhan remarked that India’s current policy of disengagement with Pakistan is a “sound strategy for now,” considering the complexities of regional security and recent historical experiences.
The Shangri-La Dialogue is an annual inter-governmental security forum that gathers defence ministers, military officials, and security experts from across the world. General Chauhan’s remarks came during discussions on regional peace, defence cooperation, and the evolving dynamics in South Asia.
Highlighting India's position, General Chauhan stated that the Indian government has chosen a path of limited engagement with Pakistan due to repeated breaches of trust and a lack of meaningful progress in past dialogues. He noted that while peace and stability in the region remain important goals, dialogue must be based on sincerity, verifiable actions, and respect for bilateral agreements.
General Chauhan added that disengagement does not mean a lack of preparedness or interest in peace. Instead, it reflects India’s pragmatic approach to dealing with issues of national security, cross-border terrorism, and the protection of sovereignty. According to him, initiating talks without clear outcomes or changes in behaviour on the other side has historically not led to productive results.
Responding to a question on whether the strategy risks long-term tensions, General Chauhan pointed out that strategic patience and calibrated diplomacy are crucial in dealing with hostile neighbours. He said that India’s defence posture remains strong and vigilant, with a focus on maintaining stability and responding effectively to any provocation.
Defence analysts present at the event viewed Chauhan’s statement as consistent with India’s current foreign policy underlined by realism and national interest. Over the years, India has consistently emphasised that meaningful dialogue with Pakistan can only resume if Islamabad takes credible action to curb cross-border terrorism and dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its soil.
India-Pakistan relations have remained strained since the Pulwama terror attack in 2019 and the subsequent Balakot airstrike by Indian forces. Diplomatic engagement has since been minimal, barring some backchannel efforts and formal statements. General Chauhan's comments reaffirmed that until trust is rebuilt, India sees little merit in restarting high-level talks.
The broader tone of General Chauhan’s remarks reflected a growing global understanding of India’s security concerns. He also stressed the need for a stable Indo-Pacific region, regional defence cooperation, and support for multilateral efforts to address emerging security threats, including cyber warfare and non-state actors.
In conclusion, the CDS made it clear that while India remains open to peace, it will not compromise its security or national interests. Disengagement, for now, serves as a balanced and thoughtful policy in response to Pakistan’s continued ambiguity on key security issues.
