The encounter at Shopian last weekend resulted in the death of 13 militants, most of whom were locals. Omar Abdullah tweeted, ‘Is no one in a position of power in Delhi alarmed by this, because I certainly am’. Recent reports indicate a sharp increase in the number of local youth joining militancy in the valley. As per police reports, there […]
The last few months have witnessed a rapid change in global alignments. Post Russia seizing Crimea in 2014, the west began imposing sanctions. Trump was expected to turn things around, when he announced during his campaign on multiple occasions that he would be good friends with Putin. With proof of Russian involvement in US elections now becoming a reality, he […]
There were a few adverse comments from Pak in the press recently. Firstly, post the encounter last weekend resulting in 13 militants being eliminated, Pak leadership termed it as a ‘brutal crackdown’ in Kashmir. Their PM Abbasi stated, ‘The brutal crackdown including the use of pellet guns on civilians protesting against the killing is deplorable’. The government supported protests criticizing […]
There have been regular reports of increasing Chinese infrastructure development in Arunachal and India responding with increased deployment in the region. While Doklam was a prolonged standoff, similar incidents of shorter duration are regular in Arunachal and Ladakh. Chinese road infrastructure in Tibet in the area bordering Arunachal has always been far better than ours for multiple reasons, hence his […]
In recent times, especially since President Abdulla Yameen assumed power, there has been a stream of anti-India actions. It has moved closer to China, imposed emergency and jailed political leaders while turning down Indian requests for participation in the Indian naval exercise, Milan. It also refused to send any delegation to the Indian defence expo and asked India to retake […]
Introduction There has been a spurt in suggestions on downsizing of the Indian army, since China took the giant step of announcing last year that it would cut its PLA strength, while increasing the strength of the PLA navy and strategic forces. The calls gained pace post the announcement of the defence budget, picking up steam after the release of […]
A recent press report stated that the number of youth joining militancy in 2017 was 126, a sharp increase from 88 in 2016. This was the highest in the last seven years. The figures began to rise after the violent summer of 2016, post the elimination of Burhan Wani. From 2010 to 2015, the militancy had very few local militants, […]
The North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un’s secretive three days visit to China by a special train was confirmed by the media on both sides post his return. This was his first visit to any nation after his assumption to power in 2011. Pictures released in the Chinese media showed a relaxed Kim smiling and waving during the visit. A […]
The west, led by the US is presently involved in a new cold war with Russia. Post the re-election of Putin and Trump’s congratulatory call, it appeared that relations could again be moving forward. However, to support the UK on its tough stand against Russia over the poisoning in London on 4th Mar of Sergei Skripal, a former Russian Military […]
Mehbooba Mufti, while interacting with Kashmiri Pundits again made a call for talks with Pak. Whether she made it for public consumption or seeking a lasting solution to Kashmir, remains mired in doubt. Unless the internal mindset in Pak changes, calls for talks are meaningless, should be well known to her. A few examples below illustrate this aspect. A tweet […]