A news report over the weekend stated that China has warned India to stay off its ‘own colony’ Sri Lanka. For China, India is a major competitor in Asia. On one hand, it has suggested that India join the CPEC and OBOR (One belt one road) corridors which it has initiated, as a participant, while conversely it has ensured that […]
India has just finished celebrating its 68th Republic day, wherein the nation smiled proudly when the military walked down Rajpath in its finery and perfect unison. The laying of the wreath by the Prime Minister at the memorial of known and unknown soldiers, at India Gate, prior to the commencement of the event, was a solemn moment. The display of […]
The Prime Minister would be addressing the combined commanders conference in Dehra Doon on the 21st of this month. As per reports the army is scheduled to give a presentation on the establishment of ‘unified commands’ during the conference. This has immense significance for management of defence and national security, as it changes the very nature of the manner in […]
The defence ministry had formed a committee under Retired General Shekatkar to recommend measures to enhance combat potential of the army and re-balance defence expenditure. The committee submitted its report in end Dec. It suggested a slew of measures to arrive at cost cutting and reducing manpower. Manpower reduction was recommended not from the military alone, but also from various […]
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 […]