"They have to decide whether want to be part of geography or history": Army Chief warns Pakistan against support to cross-border terrorism
New Delhi, May 16
In a stern message to Pakistan over its support to cross-border terrorism, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi referred to Operation Sindoor launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack and said if Islamabad continues with its terror-related activities, "they have to decide whether they want to be part of the geography or history or not".
"If you have heard me earlier, what I have said is that Pakistan, if it continues to harbour terrorists and operate against India, then they have to decide whether they want to be part of the geography or history or not," Gen Dwivedi said at the Sena Samvad event here, responding to a question on Operation Sindoor.
He lauded the capabilities of the tech-savvy generation and the Army's intention to utilise their potential.
He said the Army has started the internship and received one lakh applications for 100 vacancies
"Let me firstly concede and accept that the generation is at least 10 times better than our generation. They are much more adaptable. They're socially aware, globally connected, and digitally fluent...The Indian Army is talking about 2026-27 as the year of networking and data centricity. We have started the internship, and we received one lakh applications for 100 vacancies," he said.
"Today, we have opened up all the army-based workshops, all our category A establishments, and so many headquarters for the internship of the children. Because half of the time, they come out with a simplistic solution. On the battlefield, we require a battlefield equaliser. We don't require tank versus tank. If you give me a simple solution to a difficult problem, I think you are the ones who are going to win the battle for us," he added.
Gen Dwivedi talked of the rapid changes in technology and its impact on military modernisation.
He also talked about self-actualisation, transcendence and the whole of the nation approach.
"Self-actualisation is when you realise what your actual potential is and then you desire to reach out to that level, and that is what is something important because when you have to reach out to that level, it is not individual. You are heading a team, you are a leader...Today, the military is changing so fast, the modernisation is taking place so fast, and technology becomes stale within 18 months. If you have to adapt to that kind of technology, how are you going about it? Therefore, the ripples of change have to be felt at every level, starting from a soldier to a major to a major general, till a general like me," he said.
"When you look at the big picture, a whole-of-nation approach. How are you going to converge this complete India as a nation to fight a war? How are you going to establish the interlinkages? How are you going to provide the strategic guidance to the decision makers? Those are the big things that we are looking at while making sure that your halo effect and the reputation which you have made over a period of time comes down to a soldier or to a common citizen who is part of the whole of the nation approach whenever you go for the next operations or war," he added.
India targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in Operation Sindoor, which was launched in May last year in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Following escalation by Pakistan, India pounded its airbases.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The Army Chief's words are powerful but we must also focus on our own strength. I'm impressed by the internship program - 1 lakh applications for 100 seats shows how eager our youth are to serve the nation. This is the real solution - building our own capabilities rather than just warning others.
Gen Dwivedi's emphasis on technology and networking is spot on. The Indian Army needs to become more data-centric and adapt to modern warfare. The fact that they're opening workshops and headquarters for internships is brilliant - we need fresh perspectives to win future battles. But the threat to Pakistan about 'geography or history' should not be taken lightly - they need to understand that India means business now.
As someone who follows global security issues, I think India's stance is justified. But the question is - will Pakistan actually listen? They've been promising to curb terrorism for years without results. Operation Sindoor showed India's capability, but sustained diplomatic pressure alongside military readiness is key.
I appreciate the Army Chief's honesty about technology becoming stale within 18 months. That's a huge challenge for any military. But I wonder if our procurement processes are fast enough to keep up? We need to modernize not just in words but in action. The whole-of-nation approach is excellent but implementation matters.
Strong words from General Dwivedi. The 'geography or history' line will definitely send shivers in Islamabad. But I hope the government and military are also working on de-escalation channels. Pakistan backed into a corner might do desperate things. Balance is needed - firm but diplomatic.
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