At the 9th Military Literature Festival in Chandigarh, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan emphasized India’s dual identity as a continental and maritime power, asserting its strategic significance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the Indo-Pacific. Highlighting the shifting global power dynamics that now encompass space, cyberspace, and cognition, he noted that India’s geography affords it a substantial edge, allowing it to serve as the “first responder and preferred partner” in regional stability. Referencing historical geopolitical events such as India’s partition and conflicts with Pakistan and China, Gen Chauhan illustrated how these challenges have shaped India’s continental outlook while underlining its maritime potential. He further drew comparisons with strategically important nations like Djibouti and Singapore, underlining that control of vital trade routes is critical for global power. Through his remarks, Gen Chauhan underscored the evolving landscape of multi-domain warfare and India’s increasing role in shaping regional security and stability in the IOR and Indo-Pacific, reflecting the broader implications of its geographical advantages in contemporary geopolitics.