Last Updated:December 13, 2025, 10:55 IST Addressing new officers at the Air Force Academy, CDS Anil Chauhan stressed constant readiness, agility and purposeful action over rhetoric. CDS Anil Chauhan (Image: PTI/File photo) Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Friday delivered a strong message to young officers, saying wars cannot be won by rhetoric alone but by clear, purposeful action, taking a subtle dig at Pakistan. He was speaking at the Combined Graduation Parade of the Autumn Term, December 2025, at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, where he was the presiding officer. Purposeful action not rhetoric In his address, the CDS slammed empty words and symbolic gestures by Pakistan. “Wars cannot be won by rhetoric, but by purposeful action,” he said, pointing out that real strength comes from discipline, planning and decisive execution. His statement came at a time when Pakistan, despite suffering heavy damage during Operation Sindoor, its leaders and social media circulated false victory claims. He observed that across the world, many regions are witnessing instability caused by weak institutions …