India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat,  said civilian control over the military in India is a must. 

Talking about the secretary's responsibilities in the Ministry of Defence, General Rawat, the country's first CDS, also said that there "must be some civilian control over the military". "I would dare say civilian control over the military must remain and must be paramount in a democratic country like ours," he said.

Speaking at the Times Now Summit 2020 in Delhi, General Rawat said: "We operate in democratically elected government. While the military has been entrusted with specific task, there must be some civilian control over the military."

He said that the CDS basically is looking at jointness, integration and ensuring that the priorities for procurements are laid out correctly so that all the three services -- Army, Air Force and Navy -- move ahead without one service trying to beat the other in procurement system.

"The CDS has to ensure that the budget is better managed and we do not rush to ensure that the budget is utilised. We have to ensure that the budget is utilised in a proper manner looking at the progress and development and modernisation of all the three services in sync," he said.

On being criticised for making statements with political overtones, General Rawat said that all service personnel should be politically aware. "We are also expected to cast our votes. We have right to the franchise like any other citizens of this country. Therefore, whom do I vote for if I am not politically aware."

He also said that there is a fine line drawn for remaining away from politics and being politically aware. "These two are separate issues which often get mixed up," he said.

Talking about Indian borders with China and Pakistan, he said the priority is always to defend borders. "Defence of our border can be better achieved through synergy, integration and jointness. We cannot forget that we are facing a proxy war," he said.

"We have plans to deal with anything happens on our western and northern borders. Remain prepared for both the contingencies...Future is unpredictable," he asserted.

India's top military head said that a global outreach through multilateral fora and strategic partnerships for economic development continue to signify India's interest and recent trend emphasise that the era of conflict is far from over.

"The spectre of terrorism as it relates to our region, the epicentre here continues to be Af-Pak (Afghantisan and Paskiatn) region with organisations like al Qaeda, Daish, Taliban, ISIS, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba being some of the very prominent groups that continue to disrupt humanity," he said.

He stressed that India also gets impacted by developments beyond its immediate neighbourhood and in Indian Ocean Region.

"We are concerned about developments in West Asia and Central Asia because they do have direct bearing on India's national interest. Therefore towards building a stronger India we have ensure comprehensive security in terms of our economic development, looking it at our cyber security, space food, community development and environmental, personal, health and education issues," General Rawat said.

However, he pointed out that none should forget the relevance of security through a strong military. "The global security environment and its impact on India's defence and security therefore comprise numerous seamlessly interconnected issues," said General Rawat.

"Notwithstanding our regional and global endeavour towards peace and stability, threats and challenges will always remain," pointed General Rawat, adding that the need to address consequences on instability and volatility remains a key priority for India.

Building upon India's strategic location and growing global interactions have ensured that foreign policy acquires greater visibility.

"India has increasingly come to occupy a new role in the new world order as a confident and articulate power. In the context of global peace, India needs to fulfil a larger responsibility which reflects the resolve of more than a billion people that inhibit our country," he added.