NEW DELHI — Asserting that national security remains paramount, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General NS Raja Subramani stated that India maintains high operational readiness along its borders with both China and Pakistan. Speaking at the NDTV Defence Summit 2026, the CDS addressed key strategic issues, including tri-service integration, Artificial Intelligence in warfare, and geopolitical developments in West Asia.
Border Stability and Tri-Service Integration
Addressing the security matrix along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), General Subramani described the current situation with China as stable following high-level diplomatic engagements between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the recent BRICS summit. He noted that ground-level communications between the two militaries continue periodically, though India’s defense posture remains fully intact to safeguard territorial sovereignty.
Highlighting the push toward joint operations, the CDS cited Operation Sindoor—India’s military response following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam—as a prime example of successful cross-service integration. He emphasized that the foundation for integrated theatre commands has been established to optimize operational and capability integration across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
AI Integration and Strategic Readiness
General Subramani outlined the military’s ongoing modernizations and response to emerging global challenges:
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Artificial Intelligence in Warfare: The armed forces are integrating AI across intelligence, planning, logistics, and decision-support systems. Efforts are underway alongside the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to break data silos and deploy AI capabilities directly to front-line units.
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Counter-Terrorism Framework: A unified approach combining the armed forces, local police, central armed police forces, and intelligence agencies has sustained pressure on terror networks in the Kashmir Valley, resulting in a marked decline in active militants.
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West Asian Realignments: Responding to the recent Mecca Pact involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, the CDS noted that India is closely monitoring geopolitical shifts in West Asia while continuing to strengthen bilateral partnerships across the region to protect national interests.
Deterrence Against Regional Threats
Reiterating India’s stance on cross-border threats from Pakistan, General Subramani affirmed that the military maintains continuous contingency planning and threat assessment. High preparedness, he stressed, serves as the primary deterrent against any external misadventure, ensuring a swift and decisive response if national security is challenged.
