COAS Warns Terror Sponsors, Says India “Will Treat Terrorists and Their Backers Alike”

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi: Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday issued a strong warning against nations that enable or encourage terrorism, asserting that India will not hesitate to act against those who pose threats to its security. Speaking on Operation Sindoor at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue, the Army Chief stressed that the country has entered a “new normal” in its security posture—one defined by zero tolerance towards terrorism and its facilitators.

“When a country encourages state-sponsored terrorism, it becomes a matter of concern for India,” he said, underscoring the persistent challenge posed by cross-border terrorism. “India talks about progress. If someone creates obstacles in our course, then we will have to take some action against them.”

General Dwivedi reiterated India’s long-standing position that dialogue and violence are incompatible. “When we talk about the new normal, we have said that talks and terror can’t go together,” he said. He added that India remains open to peaceful engagement, provided the other side abandons terrorism. “All we are asking is to adopt a peaceful process, which we will cooperate with.”

Until then, he said, India will continue to treat terrorists and those who support, fund, or shield them as indistinguishable entities. “We will respond to those who encourage terrorists,” he remarked, adding that today’s India is “so accomplished that it is not scared of any blackmail attempts.”