FREEWHEELING DISCUSSION ON PAKISTAN AND CHINA

I had a freewheeling discussion on various aspects of strategic issues related to Pakistan and China. The first was with Aadi Achint who had a very Indian virewpoint being based in India. His questions were directed largely for an Indian audience. The second discussion was with Sree Iyer of P Gurus. The discussion with him was essentially for the audience in USA. Both the recordings are here. Together they convey the larger sense of an India which has gained immense strategic confidence in the course of disastrous events which dotted 2020. In my opinion India found an inner strength which was hidden from itself. To a large extent all Indians must thank Pakistan and China for unleashing this inner force. As some one said 'never waste a good crisis', I am confident that India has already started making use of this crisis to good effect.

View these at leisure please

They are a bit lengthy but of value

PAKISTAN IS CHINA'S AFGHANISTAN, Ceasefire, Can we take POK back? A Talk By Lt Gen Ravi Shankar (R)

When an aggressor is forced to retreat, what does it imply? China’s loss of face in Pangong Tso and why India is in a position of strength along the LAC. An in-depth conversation with Lt. Gen Ravi Shankar (Retd.)

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Don’t Burn the Last Bastion by Lt Gen P R Shankar (R)

‘Sir, will China invade us?’ ‘We hear China has increased activities on the border’. Chinese consolidation activities on the LAC have prompted such reactions and fears. Lot of such inquiries from citizens within and outside India. Why? Bodies floating down Ganga, mass graves, lack of oxygen, medicines or hospital beds, botched vaccination program, uninterrupted work on Central Vista - all these have eroded our political capital immensely and seeded such doubts. Our national institutions are being compared to ‘rottweilers’ in the media. Economy? Unemployment figures and stock markets – both rattling up. Strangest combination. Rich getting richer and poor getting poorer. An ominous divergence which bodes ill. Leadership? Kis Chidiya ka naam hai bhai? National level paralysis in responding to the second wave. Erosion in comprehensive national power. Many have never experienced India being so weak. Nor did I for that matter. This frightening experience ...

THE POST BALAKOT REVIEW BY LT GEN P R SHANKAR (R)

The Pakistani FM to BBC: War would be suicidal. Pakistan has already started negotiating with a gun to its head! Welcome home Wing Commander Abhinanadan. Well done. You flew into the Valley of Death and survived. India is proud. Sincere condolences to Air Marshal Waseem Ud Din on the loss of his son Shahaz Ud Din under most unfortunate circumstances. He was incredibly brave to continue his mission when others had turned around. Paradigm Emerged A lot has happened since Balakot. Some in focus some out. Some hyped. Some diffused. Time to sum up the situation and see where things are heading. Militarily it is called Review of the Situation. I will do it journalistically so that the intellectual western media understands it. They might or not buy our story. Incidentally it is not a story. It is not for sale. This is real live action. Nuclear exchange receding. Not ruled out. A fundamental paradigm has emerged. India’s fight is ag...

AGNIPATH : AN INSIDERS VIEW FROM OUTSIDE

As per reports the government is set to finalise the ‘Agnipath’ nee ‘Tour of Duty’ recruitment scheme, under which youth can enlist in the Army for three /five years and be known as ‘Agnivirs’. It is being envisaged that 25% of them would serve for three years and 25% for five years, the remaining 50% would serve for the full term till they reach the retirement age. This major reform is expected to significantly reduce the age profile of the Armed forces. This reform will also result in significant reduction of pensions. It will curb the ballooning salary and pension bills that are adversely impacting military modernization. Under this arrangement, after completing 3 or 5 years of service, the Army will help the soldier/officer to be recruited in other services. The soldiers would be given a pay-out along with priority in recruitment to certain government jobs, including the central armed police forces. An effort is also on to nudge corporate India into hiring such ...

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