India a 'vishwa mitra', but must be prepared for conflicts: CDS

NEW DELHI: India must be prepared for short and intense as well as long-duration conflicts, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan said on Wednesday, amid the continuing military confrontation with China in eastern Ladakh , which is into its fifth year now.

Addressing a conclave for foreign service attaches organised by the Defence Intelligence Agency, the CDS said India sees itself as a' vishwa mitra ' and 'vishwa bandhu' (friend of the world) in the global world order.

The world, however, is at a pivotal moment in history. "In the most violent decade since World War II, there is a growing propensity amongst nations to use force to contain conflicts. The growing uncertainty and insecurity is leading nations to renew their national security strategy and increase expenditure on defence," Gen Chauhan said.

The CDS said the Indian forces were focusing on operational preparedness, modernisation, transformation and indigenisation as key pillars to bolster national security. Maintaining high operational preparedness is imperative for the Indian armed forces, he said.