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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Ex-Army Chief Naravane urges dialogue for Russia-Ukraine peace solution
Former Army Chief Gen Manoj Naravane on Sunday reiterated India's commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that "this is not an era of war" and war should be the last resort. Speaking at the launch of his book, "The Cantonment Conspiracy," at RIIM Business School in Pune, Maharashtra, he said, " India has always been saying that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and discussion, not through is the reason our PM has been saying, "This is not an era of war"....War should be the last resort..." Naravane emphasised that India has always stood against changing borders through unilateral use of force, advocating instead for dialogue and discussion to resolve disputes. "The only thing we have to keep in mind is whether we want to agree and allow that you can change the borders just because you are a powerful country, by unilateral use of force. India has always been against that," he said. According to Naravane, the meeting between the two leaders - US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska had mixed outcomes, leaving European countries uncertain about potential agreements between the US and Russia. European countries are concerned about potential backroom deals between the US and Russia that could compromise their interests, further exacerbating global uncertainty. "The Trump-Putin meeting had mixed outcomes. The European countries are not very happy with what might have transpired behind closed doors. There is a meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump (in the US), and a lot of European PMs have flown to the US. They are also worried that there should be no under-the-carpet deal between the US and Russia, which does not keep the interests of European nations in mind. This is a very big game being played out at a global scale, and we really cannot say what will transpire...," said Naravane. Earlier on Friday, the United States and Russia concluded the much-anticipated Alaska Summit meeting aimed at bringing peace to the conflict in Ukraine. In a post on Truth Social, the US President called it a "great and very successful day in Alaska" and highlighted that the best way to go forward would be through a "peace agreement". Later, Trump described the meeting with Russian President Putin as "really well", and said he held a telephonic conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, several European leaders, and Nato Secretary General, during which it was agreed that a peace agreement is the best way to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "A great and very successful day in Alaska! The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late-night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of Nato. It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up," the US President had posted on Truth Social. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House on Monday to meet with US President Donald Trump. Following the meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin called Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He shared his insights about the recent meeting in Alaska with US President Donald Trump over the Ukraine conflict. PM Modi said India has consistently called for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict and supports all efforts in this regard. He thanked the Russian President for the phone call and for sharing his perspective on the Alaska meeting. "Thank my friend, President Putin, for his phone call and for sharing insights on his recent meeting with President Trump in Alaska. India has consistently called for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict and supports all efforts in this regard. I look forward to our continued exchanges in the days to come," PM Modi said in a post on X. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Defence spending is insurance against war, says former Army chief Naravane
Former Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Naravane (retd) on Monday described defence expenditure not as wasteful spending but as a necessary 'insurance premium' to ensure the nation is not compelled into war. Gen. Naravane further elaborated that, unlike conventional insurance, which pays out after a crisis, defence spending aims to prevent catastrophe. (HT) Speaking at the launch of his book Cantonment Conspiracies in Pune, Gen. Naravane stressed the importance of remaining engaged in an interconnected world. 'A Roman thinker once said, 'If you want peace, prepare for war.' Peace is the bedrock of progress and prosperity. Without it, factories won't function, children won't receive quality education, and investments, domestic or foreign, will not come,' he said. Addressing criticism that defence budgets divert funds from welfare, he argued, 'Some say the money could be used to build schools or fund healthcare. But national security cannot be outsourced; it is the government's foremost responsibility. Defence spending is like paying an insurance premium: the greater the risk, the higher the premium. Similarly, the more serious the threats a nation faces, the more it must invest in its defence.' Gen. Naravane further elaborated that, unlike conventional insurance, which pays out after a crisis, defence spending aims to prevent catastrophe. 'If a nation appears weak, adversaries will attempt to exploit that. Adequate preparedness ensures deterrence,' he said. Citing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he argued that Ukraine's underinvestment in defence enabled Russian aggression in 2022. 'Within a year, the World Bank estimated the cost of reconstruction at $400 billion. Had Ukraine spent even a fraction of that on military preparedness earlier, it might have averted such devastation,' he said. He also noted that defence spending fuels economic growth. 'It does not disappear into a void. It circulates within the economy, creating jobs, boosting industries, and fostering innovation,' he said. For FY 2025–26, the Union Budget has allocated ₹6.81 lakh crore to the Ministry of Defence, marking a 9.53% increase over the previous year. At 13.45% of the total budget, it remains the single-largest allocation among all ministries.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Defence spending is not a waste, it is insurance against war: Former Army chief
Pune: Former Army Chief General M M Naravane on Monday underlined the critical importance of sustained defence spending and dismissed perceptions that money allocated for national security is a "wasteful expenditure". "Defence preparedness does not come cheap. It comes at a cost. Many times, people wonder — can't we do without it? After all, at the cost of one Rafale aircraft, you can build 20 schools and run them for a year. But the defence of a country cannot be outsourced. It is the govt's primary responsibility," Gen Naravane said while addressing a gathering during the launch of his book 'Cantonment Conspiracy' at the Ramchandran International Institute of Management in Baner. Drawing a parallel with personal insurance, the former chief of Army staff said defence spending should be seen as a premium to ensure safety. "Unlike insurance, which comes into play after an incident, defence preparedness prevents an incident — prevents a war — from happening. If you look weak or seem weak, your adversaries will exploit it," he said. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Gold Rates Today in Pune | Silver Rates Today in Pune Naravane cited Ukraine as a cautionary tale, stressing that neglect of military preparedness can prove disastrous. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Health and comfort: the comfiest slip-on shoes of the year Ultra-Comfortable Shoes Undo "Ukraine neglected its defence. As they were seen as weak, Russia thought it could take advantage. Within a year of the 2022 invasion, a World Bank report estimated reconstruction costs at $400bn. If they had spent even a fraction of that on defence earlier, they may not have faced this situation." While govts must balance priorities like education, healthcare and infrastructure, adequate defence allocation is indispensable, he added. "You can outsource the security of a campus, not the security of a country. The more threats, the more you will have to spend. It is not a waste; it is a worthwhile investment to prevent conflict. Therefore, defence expenditure should not be seen as preparing for war, but as ensuring that a war is never forced upon the nation. " The former COAS said inimical powers will try to divide us on grounds of religion and caste, and we have nothing in common with each other. "National security is not just about the armed forces. National security has many facets, including food security, energy security, water security, and health security," he said. India needs to be prepared with a policy and strategy on US tariffs to deal with any situation that may arise due to the global geopolitical situation, said the former COAS. US President Donald Trump has imposed 25% tariff on Indian exports — higher than rivals — and proposed to slap secondary sanctions, resulting in 50% tariff, citing India's purchase of arms and oil from Russia. Uncertainty persists over the fate of additional tariff on Indian exports to the US after Trump's recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "The meeting has very mixed outcomes. European countries are not happy with what they think may have transpired behind closed doors. We do not know what has happened," he said. European leaders, such as the prime ministers of the UK and Italy, are concerned that there should not be a backdoor, under-the-carpet deal between US and Russia, he added. India has always said disputes should be resolved through dialogue and discussions, not through force, Gen Naravane added. "This is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been saying this is not an era of war. It is preferable to resolve disputes through discussions, and war should be the last resort." he said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Defence spending like an insurance premium needed to protect country: Ex-COAS Naravane
Pune, Former Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Naravane on Monday said defence expenditure is not a wasteful expense, but it is an insurance premium paid to ensure that war is not forced upon the nation. Defence spending like an insurance premium needed to protect country: Ex-COAS Naravane In the inter-connected world, India cannot remain insular or cut off from global developments, General Naravane said at the launch of his book 'Cantonment Conspiracies' in Pune. "A Roman scholar in the 5th century AD had said that if you want peace, prepare for war. Why do you want peace? Because peace is a precursor and prerequisite for development. We always use these terms together. "If you have a peaceful environment, only then will you flourish. Only then will your factories function, your children receive a good education, and you attract investment, whether domestic or foreign. But if that peace is required, then you have to prepare for war, and defence preparedness does not come cheap. It comes at a cost," he said. He rejected criticism regarding defence expenditure, stressing that national security cannot be outsourced as it is the primary responsibility of the country to secure itself. "Several people often question whether defence expenditure is really worth it. Others call it a wasteful expense. After all, at the cost of one Rafale aircraft, you can build 20 schools and run them for a year," the former Army chief said. "Expenditure on defence is not a waste. It is an insurance premium. Just as all of us have insurance and pay a premium to cater for an unforeseen event. For extensive coverage, a higher premium must be paid. Similarly, the greater the threats to the nation, the more it will have to be spent on defence," he added. Gen Naravane used an insurance analogy to justify the need for defence expenditure. "Your insurance kicks in only when an incident or accident occurs. In the case of defence expenditure, it prevents the incident from happening in the first place. It prevents war. Therefore, it is much more prudent to spend adequately on defence so that a war is not forced upon you. Because if you look weak, or are perceived as weak, then your enemies will take advantage," he added. Citing the example of Russia and Ukraine, the former Army chief said Ukraine had neglected its defence preparedness. "As they were seen as weak, Russia thought of taking advantage. Within a year of the 2022 invasion, a World Bank report estimated reconstruction costs at USD 400 billion. Had they spent even a fraction of that on defence earlier, they may not have faced this situation," he added. He said that money invested in defence keeps circulating and recycling within the economy, which is beneficial for the country's overall growth. Union Budget has made a provision of ₹6,81,210.27 crore for the Financial Year 2025-26 for the Ministry of Defence . This allocation is 9.53% more than the Budgetary Estimate of FY 2024-25 and stands at 13.45% of the Union Budget, the highest among the Ministries. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Indian Express
12-08-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Govt should absorb cost of care for cadets disabled in training: Former service chiefs
The Government should absorb the cost of care needed for cadets who were medically discharged while undergoing training at the nation's top military institutes and are now left with mounting treatment bills and a bleak future; reasonable compensation and a robust health insurance should be provided; and, adequate safety should be ensured during training. These are some of the key suggestions put forward by two former service chiefs and a retired top military official while responding to a report Monday by The Indian Express on the plight of some of these cadets who are battling severe disability, from paralysis to brain damage, with shattered dreams and poor benefits. 'We must take care of these unfortunate cases. Such cases would be few and the Government should be able to absorb that cost,' former Army Chief General M M Naravane (retd) said. 'As young men and women who are motivated to volunteer for service in the armed forces, we are duty bound to ensure reasonable compensation in case of withdrawal from training due to injury,' said former Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash (retd), who has also served as commandant of the National Defence Academy (NDA). In a series of two reports, The Indian Express found that around 500 officer cadets have been medically discharged from military institutes such as NDA since 1985, due to varying degrees of disability incurred during training. At the NDA alone, sources told this newspaper, around 20 such cadets were medically discharged in just the past five years, between 2021 and July 2025. This newspaper also reported that while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had okayed a proposal to increase the ex gratia awarded in such cases (a maximum of about Rs 40,000 per month currently), the file was stuck. The parents of these cadets told this newspaper that the ex gratia was far short of what they needed for their sons who required lifelong care and attention. Gen Naravane said it is important to take particular care of cadets with debilitating injuries. 'This could include more ways for better health insurance and treatment at military hospitals,' he said. At the same time, he cautioned that while rules should be more sympathetic to such cases, they should be foolproof too to avoid misuse. Incidentally, Gen Naravane's father was medically boarded out from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) as an Army cadet. He proceeded to complete his graduation and went on to join the IAF. Admiral Prakash, meanwhile, said it is the duty of training institutions to ensure the full medical fitness of cadets for every physical activity that they are required to undergo. 'Staff must exercise utmost care to ensure the safety of trainees for all training,' he said. Stating that rules should be drawn up for the Government to insure each cadet at the time of joining for the entire period of training, Admiral Prakash emphasised that instead of terming the compensation as 'ex gratia', which implies 'out of pity', it should be made an 'entitlement'. Additionally, he said, a medical board should decide the additional amount to be granted depending on severity of injury, duration of treatment, chances of recovery and financial capacity of parents. Asked about the demand from parents that these cadets should get ex-servicemen (ESM) status, which would make them eligible under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) for free treatment at military facilities and empanelled hospitals, Admiral Prakash said the current rules may not make it legally feasible. However, a third top military official The Indian Express spoke to, who retired from the IAF, said the primary issue is the grant of ESM status. 'Having an ESM card opens doors to employment opportunities, or even mundane things like entry into a cantonment to meet coursemates,' the former top officer said. He said similar issues exist with Short Service Commission (SSC) officers. 'SSC saves a huge pension bill, but those who get boarded out shortly after commissioning also do not get ESM status or any benefit,' he said.
