Pakistan immediate threat, China long-term competitor: Ex-Army chief Naravane

Former Army chief General Manoj Naravane on Thursday said India’s immediate security focus remains on Pakistan because of the continuing threat of terrorism, but China is likely to emerge as New Delhi’s main long-term competitor across political, economic, trade and military spheres.Speaking at the launch of his new book, The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries, published by Rupa Publications, Naravane drew a clear distinction between the challenges posed by Pakistan and China. He said India should manage its differences with China through talks and dialogue while maintaining a credible military deterrent.“Pakistan and China are a totally different ballgame. We have fought wars with both of them. We have unsettled borders. So they will always remain on our radar as a threat, as a challenge,” Naravane said.“Because of their continued support to terrorism, our attention is towards our western borders.