It was heartening to see Gen. Bipin Rawat focusing on the Indian Army’s primary duty – fighting wars – at his maiden press conference as the newly-appointed Indian Army Chief. As is the norm, Gen Rawat had to wade through topical question before coming to the core issues – counter insurgency and the future wars. The general sahib, given to garrulity, could not put his best foot forward. His solution to stop jawans from airing their grievances on the social media was prosaic and well worn. The Army chief defended the existing grievance redressal mechanism and, in an apparent play for the galleries, suggested they use the suggestion boxes in army installations. Gen Rawat seems to miss the point. If a jawan risks punishment and worse by taking it to the social media, it is obvious the regular channels are not working.   But the Army chief was in his elements on Pakistan and fighting future wars. Gen Rawat was confident that the surgical strikes have dimmed the Pakistani state’s appetite for stirring up trouble in Jammu & Kashmir. Although over 50 soldiers have been killed since the surgical strikes took place, he repeated that if Pakistan did not accept India’s commitment to peace and tranquility, “this [Surgical strike] method of operational execution will continue.”  In J & K, as the ground situation indicates, the security forces appear to have regained control.But Gen Rawat’s emphasis, however, on Cold Start indicates that India has abandoned its conventional approach for good in favour of keeping the adversary on tenterhooks with the policy of offence is the best defence. India has a long way to go in terms of acquiring the appropriate hardware for the task where the army will have to move fast and communications between commanders has to be spot on.  Moreover, the army will have to factor in Pakistan’s threat to deploy nuclear weapons in a conventional skirmish. As Gen Rawat tellingly added,“ weaknesses have to be overcome and this can only happen if you accept the strategy.” The nation – as also our adversaries – are yet to hear a definitive baptism to Cold Start – and, all that follows from it.