Indian chief of army staff General Upendra Dwivedi emphasized the need for India to acknowledge the “high degree of collusion” between Pakistan and China, reports media.
Indian army chief made this remark during an interview with India Today News Director Rahul Kanwal and Managing Editor Gaurav Sawant at the India Today Conclave.
“There is a high degree of collusion that we must acknowledge. In the virtual domain, it is nearly 100 per cent. Physically, most of the equipment present is of Chinese origin. The two-front war threat is a reality,” he said.
Answering to a question from the interviewer, he said: “The situation along the Line of Control, and the likelihood of incursions in Jammu and Kashmir as summer approaches.”
On the issue of cross-border incursions, he emphasized that there has been no sign of a slowdown. “Has there been any signal suggesting a halt? Has there been any indication at all? The answer is no. We must be prepared for an increase in terrorist movement,” he warned.
General Upendra Dwivedi highlighted how recruitment in the valley has dropped drastically, with only 45 individuals being drawn into terrorist activities. At the same time, tourism has seen a remarkable surge, with over five lakh people participating in the Amarnath Yatra.
He emphasized that the Army's efforts have successfully shifted the region's focus "from terrorism to tourism". However, he pointed out that despite these achievements, a majority of the terrorists neutralized last year-about 60 per cent-were of Pakistani origin, underscoring the continued external threat India faces from the neighboring country.
"Pakistan is suffering due to its own extremism and is digging itself into a deeper crisis. We want stability in Pakistan, not for it to become an epicenter of terrorism," he said.
Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated that the removal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from terrorism-affected Jammu and Kashmir is "highly possible" but not feasible under current conditions. He refrained from specifying a timeline but emphasized that AFSPA could be revoked once the Army is confident that the local police can effectively manage the situation.
“It is highly possible, but it is the timeframe that we need to look into. We looked at the areas of Doda, Rajouri, Kishtwar, where terrorism wouldn't be coming back. To the extent that bed and breakfast kinds of accommodation would be set up in those areas to attract tourists. The Mughal Road, which we were also looking at, will be used in a big way," General Dwivedi said.
Current relationship with China
General Upendra Dwivedi was asked about China's stance following the disengagement at Depsang and Demchok, two key friction points in eastern Ladakh.
He noted that soldiers tend to be more cooperative and understanding when in direct contact, fostering mutual adaptability. "With the second and third rounds of patrolling completed, both sides are cooperating well. Even grazing areas have reopened without any issues," he said.
Addressing the Indian Army's resources, General Dwivedi emphasized that no matter how many resources a military possesses, they are never truly sufficient during wartime.
"Even after a war, a nation must retain 25-30 per cent of its war resources to counter any future threats," he said, stressing that no country is ever fully prepared for such situations. This, he added, underscores the importance of self-reliance and the need for robust domestic production capacity.
Not war not peace
When asked by Gaurav Sawant about the nature of future warfare- whether it would involve trench warfare, fifth-generation warfare, or grey zone warfare - General Upendra Dwivedi stated that grey zone warfare is already underway.
"India is constantly in a state of 'not war, not peace', and this will persist given the two-and-a-half-front threat we face. As for future wars, Atal Bihari Vajpayee once said that while you can change your friends, you cannot change your neighbours. And if you can't change your neighbour, it means, that, as far as India is concerned, India is settled with all five generations of war," he said.
'Crème de la Crème coming to us'
When asked by Rahul Kanwal about the effectiveness of the Agniveer recruitment scheme and potential improvements, chief of army staff General Upendra Dwivedi praised the initiative, calling it a "great success".
"As an insider, I receive first-hand feedback, and I can assure the country that the scheme is proving highly successful. We are getting creme de la creme, and their eagerness to learn is remarkable. In terms of performance, they are delivering exceptionally well," he said at the India Today Conclave 2025.
On enhancing the scheme, General Dwivedi mentioned ongoing efforts to align Agniveers' leave policies with those of regular soldiers and to harmonise benefits in cases of casualties. He also highlighted the need for more technically skilled recruits and suggested increasing the upper age limit from 21 to 23 years.
Regarding the possibility of increasing Agniveer retention from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, the Army Chief stated that the process is still evolving. "It is too early to make that decision now. We should wait until December 2026," he said.
Launched in June 2022, the Agnipath scheme allows young recruits to serve in the armed forces for four years, with the option to extend their service for an additional four years.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
