India’s Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, has stated that India will treat terrorists and their sponsors equally and maintain a firm stance in countering terrorism. He warned Pakistan that continued support for terrorist activities will pose a major challenge for the country itself.

Speaking at a discussion on Monday (17 November), General Dwivedi emphasized that if terrorist activities persist along the Pakistan border, India will respond decisively. He said, “We have always maintained that dialogue and terrorism cannot coexist; blood and water cannot mix. We remain committed to peaceful processes, but until then, terrorists and those who support them will be dealt with equally.”

Referring to Operation Sindur as an “88-hour trailer,” the Indian Army chief added that if such situations arise, the armed forces are prepared to show Pakistan how a responsible neighboring country should act.

He further stated, “India is focused on development and progress. Anyone who tries to obstruct our path will face appropriate measures.”

Addressing Pakistan’s nuclear threats, he asserted that “today’s India is not intimidated by blackmail,” and claimed that India’s “new normal” in counterterrorism has now become a significant challenge for Pakistan.

General Dwivedi also highlighted that India’s political leadership is determined to strengthen the country’s defensive capabilities. “Our deterrence today is very strong and highly effective,” he said.

On China, he noted that bilateral talks over the past year have led to some improvement in relations.

Regarding Jammu and Kashmir, he stated that since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, political clarity has improved, and terrorism has significantly decreased. Commenting on the development in Manipur, he suggested that President Droupadi Murmu may consider visiting the state.