From Battlefields to Boardrooms: Former Army Chief Calls for Integrated National Security and Economic Strength

Former Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande emphasised that India’s future security preparedness must extend beyond traditional military capabilities to include economic resilience, technological advancement and institutional reforms. Speaking at the inaugural seminar of the Vyana Geo-Economic Forum (VGEF) in Kolkata, he said the country must prepare for multi-domain warfare by strengthening military leadership, adopting theatre commands and responding effectively to emerging security threats in an increasingly complex global environment.

The seminar, titled ‘National Security and Economic Resilience: India’s Strategic Imperatives in the Emerging Global Order,’ brought together senior military leaders, strategic experts, economists, industry representatives and policymakers. Organised at Fairfield by Marriott, Kolkata, the event also marked the formal launch of the Vyana Geo-Economic Forum, an independent platform established to promote evidence-based discussions on geopolitics, national security and geo-economics.

Earlier in the day, Chairman of VGEF Lt Gen Tarun Kumar Aich (Retd) underlined that national security can no longer be viewed solely through a military lens. He said that military preparedness, technological leadership, resilient supply chains, energy security and financial stability collectively determine a nation’s strategic strength. The seminar featured discussions by senior retired military commanders on India’s defence preparedness, strategic deterrence, military modernisation, self-reliance in defence manufacturing and the role of emerging technologies in future warfare.

The second session focused on economic security as an essential pillar of national security, with experts discussing India’s geo-economic challenges, defence manufacturing, supply-chain resilience and technological competitiveness. The deliberations concluded with recommendations to strengthen national deterrence, protect critical infrastructure, enhance government-industry collaboration and build long-term resilience to support India’s aspiration of becoming a secure and globally influential nation.