End December saw India do a successful launch of the nuclear capable Agni V missile, with an expected range of over five thousand kilometres. The missile achieved its objective and landed off the Australian waters. The present launch was from a canister, rather than a mobile launcher, for which it is being designed, implying more test launches are due, prior […]
General Bajwa assumed the mantle of army chief of Pakistan in end November, while General Bipin Rawat took command of the Indian army last weekend. General Rawat was commissioned in 1978, while General Bajwa in 80. Both had served almost simultaneously in the same mission in Congo, the difference being that General Rawat commanded the North Kivu Brigade and General […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
I superannuated from an army I adored, after thirty-five years. Being a second generation officer, I have been a part of it since childhood. My fondest memories of life have been my days in military cantonments. It was a career of choice and joining it was fulfilling my childhood ambitions. Yet, if given an option again, I would not join […]
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 […]
In recent days there has been immense discussion across various forums over the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). It was commented upon by the supreme court and recently by the Chief Minister of J and K, Mehbooba Mufti, who stated that it could be considered for withdrawal in places and for limited periods. Comments against it have also come […]