Cross-border security: Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan says Indian Navy ready to quell misadventure

Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan says India remains prepared to counter any cross-border misadventure, citing years of terrorism concerns. The Western Naval Command chief says India acts in response, and describes Operation Sindoor as targeted at terrorists and camps linked to the Pahalgam incident in 2025. He was responding to remarks attributed to Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan said India stayed ready to counter any hostile action from across the border. Swaminathan said India faced terrorism for years and could not accept attacks linked to foreign soil. Swaminathan added that India acted in response, not by choice. Swaminathan was reacting to reported remarks by Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan was appointed India’s next Chief of the Naval Staff on May 9. Swaminathan currently served as Flag Officer, Commanding-in Chief of the Western Naval Command. Swaminathan succeeded Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi. Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi retired from service on May 31. Swaminathan linked readiness with national security needs.

Operation Sindoor and cross-border misadventure

Swaminathan said Operation Sindoor focused on terrorists and camps tied to a 2025 incident in Pahalgam. Swaminathan said India could not allow such actions to continue. Swaminathan said the operation aimed to stop India remaining a terrorism victim. Swaminathan also said the operation highlighted steps needed to strengthen the country.

"Anybody who is sensible in the world knows the misadventure does not come anywhere or anytime from India. India has always been in a responding kind of mode. The misadventure comes from across the border. People can say what they want, but as far we are concerned, India will remain prepared and if any misadventure comes from that side we are actually ready to quell it,\" Swaminathan said.

Swaminathan was responding after reports quoted Field Marshal Asim Munir on possible retaliation. The reports said any future misadventure against Islamabad would bring severe consequences for New Delhi. Swaminathan said India would stay prepared for any challenge. Swaminathan also said India would address terrorism from a position of strength. Swaminathan added that Operation Sindoor remained ongoing.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 last year after the Pahalgam terror attack. The attack killed 26 people, mostly tourists, who were gunned down. India carried out airstrikes on nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes eliminated at least 100 terrorists. Officials described the action as a response to the killings.

Indian Navy and Indo-Pacific security

Swaminathan said the global security setting was changing fast across regions and domains. Swaminathan said supply chains were increasingly weaponised and key technologies were contested. Swaminathan said geopolitical competition was reshaping the strategic landscape. Swaminathan warned that heavy reliance on outside defence suppliers created economic risk and strategic uncertainty.

Swaminathan said nearly 95 per cent of India’s trade by volume moved by sea. Swaminathan added that about 70 per cent of trade value travelled on the seas. Swaminathan said energy needs arrived by ships, including oil and batteries. Swaminathan said safe sea lanes supported India’s competitiveness. Swaminathan linked maritime safety with daily economic activity.

Swaminathan said the Indian Ocean remained India’s arena and was becoming more contested. Swaminathan said the Indo-Pacific had emerged as a key theatre in 21st century geopolitics. Swaminathan said the Indian Ocean was now more watched and more consequential. Swaminathan said the Indian Navy guarded this maritime domain for national interests.

Swaminathan said the Indian Navy was not a ceremonial peacetime force. Swaminathan said it was an operational navy deployed continuously across a vast maritime theatre. Swaminathan said the service needed equipment that was armed, maintained, and sustained. Swaminathan said platforms should be designed, developed, and built in India to support self-reliance.

Swaminathan linked Operation Sindoor and maritime preparedness with a wider security approach. Swaminathan said India remained alert to threats, including terrorism and external pressure. Swaminathan also stressed resilient supply chains and secure sea routes for trade and energy. Swaminathan’s appointment on May 9 set the next leadership change after May 31.

With inputs from PTI