General Naravane opens up on memoir row, decodes 'jo uchit samjho woh karo' remark

In an exclusive interview with India Today, former Army General Manoj Mukund Naravane discussed the row over his unpublished book, 'Four Stars of Destiny', and the military's handling of the situation at the Line of Actual Control. Addressing the directive to the armed forces, General Naravane stated, 'It only shows that the government has full confidence in its armed forces.' He clarified that granting operational freedom to the military is the correct approach and not an abrogation of responsibility. Speaking on Operation Snow Leopard in Ladakh, he confirmed that the Indian Army operated within established protocols to deal with the PLA. Dismissing claims of lost territory during his tenure, General Naravane asserted, 'We gained the upper hand,' pointing to the Chinese dismantling their bunkers. He emphasised the continuous interactive process between the government and the armed forces regarding threat perception, force structuring, and the acquisition of new weapons.