Chief of Defence Staff Highlights China’s Increasing Assertiveness with its Rise

China’s assertiveness is becoming more prominent as it rises, and India will need to consider this aspect in its overall “strategic calculus,” according to Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. Speaking at the annual Gen KV Krishna Rao memorial lecture, he also acknowledged India’s “major dispute” with China along the northern borders and emphasized the importance of India playing its “strategic autonomy” card wisely. General Chauhan noted that strategic autonomy should be utilized to exploit opportunities rather than solely addressing threats. He also discussed the disruptions in the global geopolitical order and highlighted India’s transition from a non-aligned approach to one of strategic autonomy. General Chauhan further emphasized the need for India to exercise its options based on its national interests and navigate the uncertainties of the current global geopolitical environment.