Let the new chief get on with his job The Statesman 27 Dec 16

Let the new chief get on with his job The Statesman 27 Dec 16

Though it has been over a week since Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat was designated as the next army chief, superseding two seniors, however, the controversy surrounding his appointment refuses to die down. The serving and veteran military community, media and political parties remain divided in their views on the governments decision. While TV debates on the topic have ceased, columns […]

Don’t politicize Army Chiefs appointment, or run down the record of those superseded The Wire 19 Dec 16

Don’t politicize Army Chiefs appointment, or run down the record of those superseded The Wire 19 Dec 16

The government announced the nomination of Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat as the new army chief on Saturday. He will assume his appointment on the evening of 31st December, when the present chief, General Dalbir Singh retires. Discussions have since dominated every form of media on the impact of this announcement. While there has been no word on the appointment of […]

Heart of Asia isolated Pakistan The Excelsior 14 Dec 16

Heart of Asia isolated Pakistan The Excelsior 14 Dec 16

The recently concluded ‘Heart of Asia’ conference witnessed theatrics and controversies as well as signalled a shift in regional dynamics. While a few common statements were expected, some came as a welcome surprise. The joint statement was clearly crafted, supported and pushed by India, with support from Afghanistan. In all common platforms, since Pathankot, India raised the Pakistan bogey of […]

Brics, Bimstec and Pakistan bogey The Statesman 25 Oct 16

Brics, Bimstec and Pakistan bogey The Statesman 25 Oct 16

For every country, its national interests are paramount, irrespective of the collective view of any group of which the nation is a part off. Nations would be unwilling to bend if the common view moves against their national interests. The recently concluded BRICS summit with the BIMSTEC outreach in Goa, clearly indicated this. India expended maximum political energy raising the […]

Afghanistan a game changer The Statesman 20 Sep 16

Afghanistan a game changer The Statesman 20 Sep 16

The border between Afghanistan and Pakistan is the Durand Line, which has never been accepted by Afghanistan, however being weaker, it has limited options. Post the withdrawal of the Soviet Union, it was the Taliban which established the government, much to the cheer of Rawalpindi, the Pakistan army HQs. Bhutto, as Pakistan’s prime minister, established an ISI cell, well before […]

A necessary shift in India’s stance The Statesman 24 Aug 16

A necessary shift in India’s stance The Statesman 24 Aug 16

In his Independence Day speech, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the Prime Minister publicly criticized Pakistan for human rights violations in Baluchistan, POK and Gilgit- Baltistan. He had raised this issue in the all party meeting on Kashmir, a week ago. Rarely has any international leader publicly declared such a radical shift in his nation’s foreign policy, adopting […]

A new approach the need for Kashmir The Statesman 19 Jul 16

A new approach the need for Kashmir The Statesman 19 Jul 16

The encounter killing of Hizb-ul- Mujahideen local commander and poster boy militant, Burhan Wani, led to widespread disturbances in Kashmir. There was a mass of humanity, mainly the youth who attended his funeral. Subsequently, the situation deteriorated at a rapid pace, which took security agencies by surprise. Though like in earlier militant funerals, a crowd was expected, however, the rapid […]