Recent press reports stated that a group of hundred serving officers of the ranks of Major and Lt Cols of the Army Service Corps (ASC) have approached the Supreme Court for rectification of an act of discrimination. They claim they are deployed on combatant tasks when the army needs them, but are denied benefits on promotion prospects, which come with […]
Strong statements by the US president, indicting Pak for its support to terror groups on its soil, was followed by the BRICS statement, which officially listed terror groups emanating from Pak. Pak objected to both the statements and is presently working on reorienting its US strategy. With both China and Russia behind the BRICS statement, Pak was caught between the […]
Immense has been written and discussed on the future of Kashmir. There are two broad opinions being projected in social media by those following the current scenario in Kashmir. These can be divided into hard and soft options. The hard option talks of an immediate solution, which includes revoking article 370 (whether it can be, is another issue), creating secure […]
The recent North Korean missile launches and hydrogen bomb tests had the US and its allies worried. Japan and South Korea voiced their displeasure, while Trump threatened them with ‘fist and fury’. A special session of the security council was requested for by Japan, France, Britain, South Korea and the US. It is expected to vote on its future actions […]
There were immense expectations from the BRICS summit, especially since this was likely to result in the first meeting between Modi and Xi Jinping, post the stand down at Doklam. The summit statement was, as claimed by many, a win for Indian diplomacy as it contained direct reference to terror groups operating from Pakistan’s soil, though it did not name […]
Introduction Donald Trump finally announced his South Asian (read Afghanistan) policy. The policy had nothing new to offer, despite delays and discussions, prior to its release. Extended discussions were essential because unknowns dominated known factors, since more neighbouring nations began jumping into the Afghan cauldron. There is mention of a surge in troops, greater involvement in operations including air power […]
The previous defence minister, Manohar Parrikar, had formed a committee under Lt General DB Shekatkar (retired), to recommend measures to enhance combat potential of the armed forces. The committee submitted its finding in December 2016. It concerned itself with internal restructuring of the armed forces and establishments under the Ministry of Defence (MoD). It had no role in considering working […]
Trump’s latest tirade against Pak, solely blaming it for the failure in Afghanistan, has rattled the country. The past fortnight has witnessed statements emanating from the Pak army chief, their national security council and even the senate, criticizing the US. Pak has been in a state of denial, using every forum and media, but to no avail. A new irritant […]
Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s second woman defence minister, Indira Gandhi being the first, assumes her appointment with immediate effect. Like all her predecessors, she would have limited knowledge on the functioning of the military. The three service chiefs and the defence secretary would spend time, slowly taking her through the paces, enabling her to comprehend the complexities of military power and […]
The Doklam standoff is finally over. Media on both sides will claim victory for their nation, stating national objectives have been achieved. In reality, it has been success of diplomacy and a mature approach to resolving contentious border issues. In logical terms, it has been a win-win for all nations involved. India and Bhutan were only seeking status quo. The […]