I was part of a panel discussion on DD India on the military dimensions of the Russia Ukraine war. It was an informed panel. The scope included the current situation and where it is heading as also the Nuclear dimensions which have crept into this war. The discussion was interesting to say the least. Normally I do not get on to a TV channel. However I made an exception for DD since it is a staid and serious government channel which does not disintegrate into a slanging and shouting match. Every one is given adequate time to put an informed view across.
‘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 ...
Hypersonic missiles have the kinetic impact of nuclear weapons without the longterm and widespread effects of radiation. So, perhaps that's an indication Russia doesn't plan on using nuclear weapons. Secondly, they have mentioned nuclear weapons in the context of "outside interference," clearly a warning to NATO/US not to deploy their military directly in Ukraine. So, that escalation is dependent on the west. Thirdly, Ukraine wouldn't have got its independence without giving up the nukes. So, the case of "fairness" raised by the host is moot.
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