CDS Anil Chauhan: Adversaries have options in informal wars; need strong deterrence

He said non-traditional threats cut across multiple domains and affect the military as well as intelligence agencies and people involved in the national security architecture, adding that multi-agency coordination within the government should be able to perceive these kinds of threats. Gen Chauhan said coordination between friends and partners to keep a track of emerging threats is imperative given that informal warfare often cuts across boundaries.

Speaking on grey-zone warfare, he said it requires several approaches in the backdrop of its origins lying in a historical dispute, adding that grey-zone warfare is the latest in informal warfare. He said grey-zone warfare involves the use of unconventional military action below the threshold of traditional warfare but does invite action.

He said the current situation in the South China Sea and on the northern borders can be an example of the use of grey-zone warfare. He said there is a difference between how the West and the East see wars. He said while the West believes in direct military action, the East follows timely military action.