Newly appointed Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, who took charge on Saturday, has said that the forces are prepared for a two-front war involving Pakistan and China simultaneously. Talking to News X, Rawat said that India should look at cooperation and not confrontation with Beijing and other regional players to strengthen mutual relations and promote regional peace and stability.

“As far as armed forces are concerned, we are tasked to be prepared for a two-front war and I think we are capable of carrying out our task in whatever manner that we may be asked to do by the political hierarchy,” General Rawat said in an interview with News X.

Talking about the surgical strikes conducted by the Indian army, the new army chief said that the operation was well thought through. He added that the army will not shy away from a second surgical strike if peace in the region is disrupted.

Discussing preparedness along India’s northern border with China, he said the army has adopted a certain mechanism to ensure that a harmonious relationship is maintained along the Line of Actual Control.

In March last year, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, who was also the Chairman, Chief of Staff Committee, had said that the Indian Air Force does not have the adequate numbers to “fully execute” an air campaign in case of a two-front war involving Pakistan and China simultaneously.

Here’s the full interview: