CHANDIGARH, June 9: The Vibrant Networking Forum’s flagship event, ‘Hobnob 2025’, held Sunday at Hyatt Centric in Sector 17, brought together a dynamic mix of professionals, thought leaders, and innovators for a day-long exchange of ideas and collaboration.
Founded by former IAS officer Vivek Atray, the forum continues to serve as a bridge between diverse sectors by fostering meaningful dialogue and innovation.
One of the key speakers at the event was former Army Chief General VP Malik (retd), who addressed India’s military posture during the session on Operation Sindoor. He raised concerns over India’s defence preparedness, especially in the context of regional hostilities.
“The Indian government needs to increase its defence budget to enhance both its offensive and defensive capabilities,” Malik said. “Whatever action we take, Pakistan will definitely retaliate. To assume otherwise would be a mistake.”
The retired general underscored the need for strategic foresight, noting that India’s preparedness should extend beyond Pakistan to include potential threats from countries like China. “A strong defence system is only possible with adequate funding from the Union government,” he added.
Commenting on India’s political and military alignment during Operation Sindoor, Malik questioned the clarity of national objectives. “If India’s aim was only to hit terror targets, then I’m afraid we went wrong somewhere. There should have been an expectation of retaliation,” he said. “Military aims flow from political direction. If the political aim is unclear or misguided, military outcomes may also falter.”
On whether the operation sent a strong enough message to Pakistan, Malik remained skeptical. “We’ll have to wait and see. At the moment, it doesn’t appear so. The way Pakistan is behaving and the elevation of their army chief to Field Marshal—whether he deserves it or not—suggests they might indulge again.”
He also questioned the decision to halt the operation early. “In the Army, we’re taught that if you gain an advantageous position, you must exploit it. Unfortunately, when we reached that point, we were told to call it off,” he said.
Hobnob 2025 succeeded in fostering open conversations around national security, governance, and innovation—bringing together a spectrum of voices from both civilian and defence backgrounds.
