CDS General Anil Chauhan has cautioned that China will remain India’s biggest strategic challenge, even as PM Modi and President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the SCO summit. Chauhan pointed out that the unresolved boundary dispute with China overshadows any short-term diplomatic warmth. He also warned that Pakistan’s proxy war continues unabated, while regional instability in South Asia compounds India’s security concerns. Importantly, Chauhan emphasized that warfare today is no longer limited to land, sea, or air, it includes cyber and space domains, where India must be prepared to counter adversaries. With China and Pakistan both being nuclear-armed, the CDS said India’s choices in conflict scenarios will always require delicate calibration. His remarks underscore the need for India’s military and political leadership to stay vigilant, proactive, and prepared for the long haul.