Former Army Chief Naravane Urges Diplomacy Over War in India-Pakistan Ceasefire

General Manoj Naravane, former Indian Army chief, has voiced strong support for the recent halt in hostilities between India and Pakistan, emphasizing that war is far from the glamorous portrayal seen in Bollywood films. Speaking at an event organized by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India in Pune, Naravane criticized those questioning the ceasefire, highlighting the severe human cost of conflict.

Naravane stressed that residents of border regions, including children, endure profound trauma from shelling, often fleeing to shelters in the dead of night. “For those who have lost loved ones, that trauma lingers across generations,” he said, noting the lasting impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He added that individuals exposed to war’s horrors may suffer nightmares and require psychiatric care even decades later.

While acknowledging his readiness to lead troops into battle if ordered, Naravane made clear that diplomacy is his preferred approach. “As a military man, I will go to war if commanded, but it would not be my first choice,” he told the audience. He advocated for resolving disputes through dialogue to avoid armed conflict, stating, “We are all equal stakeholders in national security. Violence is not the answer.”

The ceasefire agreement, announced on Saturday, follows a period of heightened tensions sparked by India’s Operation Sindoor. Launched on May 7, the operation targeted seven terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The agreement commits both nations to halting all military actions by land, air, and sea along the Line of Control and International Border.

Naravane’s remarks align with broader calls for de-escalation, as reported by India TV News, underscoring the need for peaceful resolutions not only between nations but also within communities and families.