During a recent address at TRS College in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India’s Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, made a notable reference to US President Donald Trump while discussing the rapidly evolving global landscape and the security challenges confronting the Indian military. General Dwivedi remarked, “What is Trump doing today? I think even Trump doesn’t know what he is going to do tomorrow. Challenges are coming so quickly that by the time you try to grasp an old challenge, a new one emerges.”
General Dwivedi underscored that the Indian military faces significant security challenges, ranging from border disputes and terrorism to natural disasters and cyber warfare. He commended the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’, an operation conducted in May that targeted terrorists and their infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, resulting in the elimination of over 100 militants. Notably, the operation was executed without any civilian casualties.
The Army Chief also touched upon the issue of misinformation, highlighting how rumors, such as claims of an attack on Karachi, spread during Operation Sindoor. He stressed the necessity for the military to operate effectively across land, air, and water domains amidst these complex challenges.
The context of General Dwivedi’s remarks also includes the military escalation between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor. While Donald Trump has often claimed credit for brokering a cessation of hostilities on May 10, India has maintained that the truce was achieved bilaterally. The Army Chief’s subtle jab at Trump’s unpredictability comes amidst ongoing trade negotiations between India and the US, particularly after the imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods.