Former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has expressed concerns about Pakistan's recent defense agreements with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, warning that these pacts could lead to overconfidence in Islamabad and increase the risk of miscalculations. He highlighted the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, under which an attack on any signatory nation is considered an attack on all three. Chauhan emphasized that Pakistan continues to pose a significant security threat to India due to its reliance on terrorism and proxy warfare. He noted the paradox created by Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, which provides strategic stability at the highest level but increases instability at lower levels by limiting conventional military options and promoting sub-conventional tactics like cross-border terrorism. Chauhan advocated for credible deterrence, citing past Indian military actions as examples, and suggested increasing the costs of proxy warfare against Pakistan, including potentially suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. Additionally, he discussed the long-term and complex nature of the India-China border dispute, noting differences in perceptions of the Line of Actual Control and growing military-
Bias read (Center): The article presents the views of a retired high-ranking military official discussing regional security concerns. It does not exhibit overt bias in favor of or against any political entity, presenting Chauhan's warnings and perspectives without apparent ideological framing.


