“Ran Dialogue 2025” held at Army War College in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh has given a new direction to India’s defense and strategic thinking. In this special event, the statements of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan not only reiterated India’s peaceful strategy, but also clarified that peace in today’s world is just a fantasy without strength and preparation.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, in his address, deeply highlighted the title “Ran Dialogue”. He said that supernaturally ‘Ran’ (war) and ‘dialogues’ (dialogue) words seem to be the words, but dialogue and war will never be separated in the Indian tradition. Giving the example of Mahabharata, he said that Lord Krishna made every effort to make peace to stop the war, but the war became indispensable when he failed. In this context, Rajnath Singh clarified that India has never been in favor of war, but whenever it is challenged, the nation has to answer with power.
The Defense Minister also underlined that in the coming times, war will be fought not only by weapons, but with technology, intelligence, diplomacy and economy. Referring to Operation Sindoor, he described it as a successful example of technology-based war capacity. The May 2025 action in Pakistan and PoK showcased India’s preparation and technical efficiency.
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On the other hand, the statement of Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan was even more clear and visionary. He said, “India is peaceful, but we cannot be non-violent or inactive. Peace without power is a fantasy.” He cited the Roman saying “Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum” (if you want peace, prepare for war), stating that the guarantee of real peace is only with strength and readiness. CDS warned that today’s security scenario is constantly changing. Traditional hazards as well as cyber attacks, hybrid warfare, gray-zone challenges and emerging technologies are changing the definition of war. There is no scope for self -determination for a nation like India.
Let us tell you that the specialty of Ran Dialogue 2025 was that officers, experts and defense scholars of the three armies (land, water and air) came together. The center of discussion was – doctrinal changes, joint operation requirement and future technological challenges. The initiative is associated with the reforms run by the CDS, with the emphasis on the theater command structure and artificial intelligence, drones, space-based systems to include modern techniques in forces.
If seen, the essence of Ran Dialogue 2025 is that India wants peace, but it is possible to protect peace only when the country has the ability to face every challenge. The statements of both Rajnath Singh and General Chauhan made it clear that India’s defense approach is not an aggression but “strong immunity and communication-stricken diplomacy”. This balanced strategy in today’s uncertain world can establish India as a global power.