Latest news with #ManojNaravane
India.com
17-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
‘War Isn't Glory – It's Grief': Why India Chose Pause Over Provocation
New Delhi: In an age where conflict often plays out like viral entertainment and social media sentiment demands escalation over restraint, former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Naravane offers a reminder – war is not a cinematic climax. It is a human catastrophe. Speaking in Pune at a defence and economic policy forum on May 11, General Naravane addressed the public discourse surrounding India's recent military offensive – Operation Sindoor – and the subsequent decision to suspend further hostilities with Pakistan. While many online commentators clamored for a 'decisive finish', Naravane asked, 'At what cost?' 'Not a Bollywood Movie' 'War is not romantic. It is not your Bollywood movie. It is serious business. A wise commander calculates the cost long before it becomes unbearable,' he said, addressing the nation's growing appetite for spectacle. The pragmatic reflection came just days after India's tri-service strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and later on military bases across the border. Though the precision of the strikes shocked observers and altered strategic equations in South Asia, Naravane emphasised that the cessation of military operations was not a sign of retreat but of responsibility. 'It is not a ceasefire. It is a pause. One that allows us to weigh what truly matters – lives, stability and the long-term consequences of escalation,' he clarified. The Human Toll The general did not mince words about what is often left out of war coverage – trauma. While missiles and drones dominate headlines, the emotional wreckage lingers in silence. 'There are children who lose their parents. Civilians who spend the rest of their lives with PTSD. No camera shows that. But it is real,' Naravane said. He stressed that behind every 'strike' is a ripple effect of lifelong scars, not only on soldiers but on border communities – scars that run deeper than any tactical victory. First Offensive – Diplomacy Though his credentials are steeped in military service, Naravane's outlook champions dialogue over dominance. 'If ordered, I will go to war. That is my duty. But it will never be my first choice. Diplomacy must be,' he stated. In an era where national security debates often polarise into 'guns versus butter', the former Army chief argued for strategic prudence, not emotional chest-thumping. He acknowledged the financial strain of defence investments but framed them as an insurance policy, not a sunk cost. 'A well-equipped military does not just respond to threats, it prevents them. Just like insurance, its value lies in deterring the accident before it happens,' he explained. Strength Isn't Always Loud Naravane's words serve as a quiet counter-narrative to the dominant noise demanding vengeance. He framed India's actions as strategic deterrence, not a step away from confrontation but a step ahead of chaos. 'Pakistan got the message. Loud and clear. Their response was not negotiation, it was desperation,' he said, referencing Pakistan's call to halt escalation after suffering operational losses. Peace Is Strength So Is Perspective As India stands at a geopolitical crossroads, Naravane's insights urge citizens to look beyond the immediate drama and into the generational consequences of conflict. 'We must learn to resolve disputes at every level, not just between nations but within families, communities and states,' he said.
Express Tribune
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Former Indian army chief calls for diplomacy over war with Pakistan
Listen to article Former Indian Army Chief General (r) Manoj Naravane has spoken out against war, calling for diplomatic efforts to resolve long-standing issues like Kashmir, in a rare stance reflecting growing dissent in India. As voices across Indian society increasingly criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies during the Pakistan-India conflict, General (r) Naravane described questions being raised over the ceasefire as "irresponsible." "The solution to all pending disputes lies in dialogue," he said, indicating that Pakistan and India should also resolve the Kashmir issue through negotiations instead of military confrontation. His remarks align with earlier offers by US President Donald Trump to mediate between the two countries on Kashmir. 'War is a serious and bitter reality—not a romantic tale or a Bollywood film,' said Naravane. 'As a soldier, my first preference will always be diplomacy.' He highlighted that the consequences of war extend beyond the battlefield, impacting innocent civilians, especially children, who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). "Those who advocate war should also consider the suffering of affected families," he added. 'National security is not just the responsibility of the government or the military but a shared duty of every citizen.' Military analysts noted that the former Army Chief's statements clearly suggest that war is not a solution and that diplomatic channels should be pursued to ensure lasting peace, particularly on the Kashmir issue. They emphasised that the emotional and humanitarian costs of war must not be ignored. The remarks by former Indian Army Chief General (r) Manoj Naravane come amid escalating domestic criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of the recent conflict with Pakistan, particularly following the collapse of 'Operation Sindoor.' The operation, which had aimed to assert India's military advantage, ended with a US-brokered ceasefire that opposition parties have labelled a diplomatic and strategic embarrassment. Shiv Sena (UBT) has led the political backlash, with senior leader Sanjay Raut demanding the resignations of Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Raut called the operation's failure and the subsequent ceasefire a 'national humiliation,' insisting that Modi had forfeited the moral authority to lead the country. He also urged the government to immediately convene Parliament for a detailed discussion on the operation, the ceasefire deal, and the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that triggered the escalation. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi echoed the demands, calling for an all-party meeting and criticising the Modi administration's decision-making. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the lack of strategic clarity and demanded the government present a full account to the nation. AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar criticised the reliance on foreign mediation, warning that India's diplomatic autonomy may be undermined. While opposition figures across the spectrum voiced concern, some like Congress MP Shashi Tharoor adopted a more nuanced stance. Tharoor described the ceasefire as a 'necessary recalibration' to prevent deeper conflict, even if strategic goals were not fully met. RJD's Manoj Jha, however, warned against allowing foreign intervention to become a precedent, backing Gandhi's call for a special Parliament session.
Hans India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
War is neither romantic nor a Bollywood film: Ex-Army chief
New Delhi: General Manoj Naravane, war, diplomacy, PTSD, Operation Sindoor, India-Pakistan relations, military response Former Indian Army chief General Manoj Naravane has slammed questions being raised on the suspension of hostilities between India and Pakistan, saying war is not romantic and is not a Bollywood movie. Naravane said if ordered, he would go to war, but diplomacy would be his first choice. He said there is trauma among people living in the border areas, including children who have seen shelling and have to run to shelters at night. 'For those who have lost their loved ones, that trauma will be carried through generations. There's also something called PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). People who have seen gruesome scenes wake up sweating even after 20 years and need psychiatric care,' he said. 'War is not romantic. It is not your Bollywood movie. It is very serious business. War or violence should be the last thing we should resort to, which is why our Prime Minister said this is not an era of war. Although war will be forced upon us by unwise people, we should not cheer for it,' he said. 'Still, people are asking why we have not gone for a full-out war. As a military man, if ordered, I will go to war, but that will not be my first choice,' the former Indian Army Chief said. Naravane said his first choice would be diplomacy, settling differences through dialogue and not reaching the stage of armed conflict. 'We are all equal stakeholders in national security. We should try to resolve differences not only between countries, but amongst ourselves, whether in families or between states, regions and communities. Violence is not the answer,' he said. General Naravane pointed to India's strategic strikes on terrorist infrastructure and airfields deep within Pakistan's territory. He asserted that these actions demonstrated to Pakistan the heavy price of continuing on a path of aggression, ultimately leading to discussions between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) of both nations on the possibility of a cessation of hostilities. Speaking on the Operation Sindoor Gen Naravane (Retd) said that the Pakistani response to cessation of hostilities would need to be watched.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘It is not your Bollywood movie'; diplomacy first choice says ex-Army Chief Naravane
Former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Naravane has criticised people raising questions about the suspension of hostilities between India and Pakistan, saying war is not romantic, nor is it a Bollywood movie. Speaking at an event in Pune on Sunday (May 11, 2025), General Naravane said he would go to war if ordered, but diplomacy would be his first choice. Also Read: India-Pakistan ceasefire updates on May 12, 2025 The former Army Chief pointed out it has been a tumultuous week, starting with Operation Sindoor, the strikes by the Indian Armed Forces on terrorist camps and infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (POK), followed by four days of intense aerial and some land battles. "It finally culminated in an announcement regarding the cessation of military action. I would like to repeat that it is only a cessation of military operations, not a ceasefire as such. Watch how things unfold in the days and weeks to come," he said. He noted that several people have raised questions about the suspension of military hostilities and whether it was a good thing. "If you consider the facts and figures, particularly the cost of war, you'll realise that a wise person makes that call before the losses become too large or insurmountable," he said. "I believe we proved to Pakistan — through the strikes we carried out not only on terrorist infrastructure but also on their airfields deep within their territory — that the cost of continuing on their path would be too high. That compelled them and ultimately led their DGMO to call ours to discuss the possibility of a ceasefire," he said. He added that there is a third aspect, the social component. "I mentioned strength and destruction, but this social part includes the lives that are lost: children who lose their parents or who themselves get killed in the shelling in border areas. Nobody accounts for that kind of destruction," he said. He noted that for those who have lost their loved ones, the trauma gets carried through generations. "There's also something called PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). People who have seen gruesome scenes wake up in cold sweat even after 20 years and need psychiatric care," he said. General Naravane was speaking at a programme organised by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India. "War is not romantic. It is not your Bollywood movie. It is very serious business. War or violence should be the last thing we should resort to, which is why our Prime Minister said this is not an era of war. Although war will be forced upon us by unwise people, we should not cheer for it," he said. "Still, people are asking why we have not gone for a full-out war. As a military man, if ordered, I will go to war, but that will not be my first choice," the former Indian Army Chief said. General Naravane said he would choose diplomacy, settling differences through dialogue and not reaching the stage of armed conflict. "We are all equal stakeholders in national security. We should try to resolve differences not only between countries, but amongst ourselves, whether in families or between states, regions and communities. Violence is not the answer," he said. Highlighting the importance of a strong defence budget, General Naravane said the debate about "guns versus butter" is as old as time. "How much should a country spend on defence when there are so many other conflicting priorities? Should you spend on all those things you've seen on the TV screen, or should you spend on education, healthcare, hygiene, sanitation, and so many other equally pressing demands, especially for a developing country like ours?" he said. He pointed out that the Defence Ministry takes up about 15% of the national budget, and that's the kind of investment which has to be made. "Now you will ask, is it a worthwhile investment, or is it money down the drain that has to be pumped back up? So, let me put it in two or three different ways. Firstly, I would like to say: look at it as an insurance premium." The country needs a backup plan for emergencies, and this was starkly evident last week, he said. "If your armed forces are well-prepared and well-equipped, they are capable of dealing with any such emergency that may be thrust upon the country without warning — just like accidents happen without warning," he said. He added that the key difference was that in the case of insurance, the benefit comes after the accident, while a well-prepared military helps prevent the accident from happening in the first place. "If you are well prepared, others will think twice before attacking you," General Naravane said.
New Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
'War is not romantic, not your Bollywood movie': ex-Army chief Naravane's message to those questioning ceasefire
PUNE: Former Indian Army chief General Manoj Naravane has criticised people raising questions about the suspension of hostilities between India and Pakistan, saying war is not romantic, nor is it a Bollywood movie. Speaking at an event in Pune on Sunday, Gen Naravane said he would go to war if ordered, but diplomacy would be his first choice. The former Army chief pointed out it has been a tumultuous week, starting with Operation Sindoor, the strikes by the Indian Armed Forces on terrorist camps and infrastructure in Pakistan and POK, followed by four days of intense aerial and some land battles. "It finally culminated in an announcement regarding the cessation of military action. I would like to repeat that it is only a cessation of military operations, not a ceasefire as such. Watch how things unfold in the days and weeks to come," he said. He noted that several people have raised questions about the suspension of military hostilities and whether it was a good thing. "If you consider the facts and figures, particularly the cost of war, you'll realise that a wise person makes that call before the losses become too large or insurmountable," he said. "I believe we proved to Pakistan... through the strikes we carried out not only on terrorist infrastructure but also on their airfields deep within their territory that the cost of continuing on their path would be too high. That compelled them and ultimately led their DGMO to call ours to discuss the possibility of a ceasefire," he said.
