Skip to main content

Posts

A JADE NECKLACE FOR CHINA BY LT GEN P R SHANKAR (R)

Reality Beyond the Summit With President Xi Jinping in Mamallapuran for an informal Summit with PM Modi it is time to take a realistic look at the Sino-Indian equations. There are a lot of articles appearing on how Sino-Indian bilateral relations should move ahead. No issue with all postulations and the wonderful chemistry between President Xi Jinping and PM Modi.   While these harmonizing activities should continue, we should take a hard look at the reality to strengthen our long-term strategy to deal with China. The reality of Sino-Indian relations post Doklam, even ignoring historic irritants and hostilities is dark.   China continues to block our entry into the NSG. The “String of Pearls’ is growing stronger. The trade imbalance has widened. China is blatantly supporting Pakistan in all its activities. Pakistan is China’s catspaw against India. The CPEC continues to move ahead ignoring our sovereignty concerns. China blocks Masood Azhar from being declared a ...

THE JIHAD OF U TURN KHAN

Any resemblance to living beings is intentional I am back from a great US trip! Everyone in Packistan loves me after my incisive short speech at the UNGA. I could have gone for another hour. The Muslim world is totally energised. I not only took their plane but upstaged the Saudis in the leadership of the Ummah. I am now on a jihad against India. The nation is going from strength to strength. I am now going to Chaina to meet Emperor Eleven Jinping. I am going to be briefed at the foreign office for a pre- brief of my trip…. the world is great. Life is good. Kya sukun hai! ………. Ah, here comes the foreign office. My FM. He is a better U turner than me. Proud of him.   “Salam Alei kum Janab. Welcome to the foreign office”. Wale kum salam Cuereshi. Let’s start the briefing…...The briefing was being done by a young officer. Hello young man where are you from? “Sir I am from ISI”. No. No. Which area are you from? “Sir I am from Murdike and I am Hafeez Sayeed’s nephew”.   ...

SHAASTRA 2020 - A STUDENT DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT OF IIT MADRAS

The students of IIT Madras have adopted defence technology as the theme for their flagship summit this year in response to the Prime Ministers call that IITs should contribute to indigenisation of defence. Further they are focusing on disruptive technologies and attempting to solve real life problems of the Armed Forces. They are also attempting to set up a start up eco system so that the youth of the nation can contribute to making India great. It is a pioneering effort which deserves attention and participation of all those who are in this field and are interested.        What is Shaastra? Shaastra, the annual technical fest conducted by IIT Madras, is the first fully student-run, non-profit, ISO certified technical fest in India, receiving a footfall of more than 75,000 each year.  The Defence Tech Summit  Each year, the Summit is based on a central theme based on boosting unconventional, upcoming fields ...

TOWARDS GREENER PASTURES IN KASHMIR POST 370 By Lt Gen P R Shankar (R)

This is an extension of my earlier article THE ROAD BEYOND 370 ( https://palepurshankar.blogspot.com/2019/08/the-road-beyond-370-by-lt-gen-p-r.html ) Taliban Khan’s “Jihad” on India has united Pakistan as never before. They have wished away all their other problems. He is their ultimate warrior. Kashmir is the psychological exit for the cornered nation even if it means self-destruction. Expect long-time trouble from Pakistan. It has very little left to lose. However, after the UNGA meet it is evident that are not many takers for the Pakistani narrative. It is two months since the Article 370 has been consigned to history.   The international community is now looking at India and how it deals with Kashmir before passing any judgement. It is time to take stock of the situation and see how to tread the rocky path ahead towards greener pastures.   Depending on your looking prism there is relative peace or an uneasy calm in the Valley. Significantly lives are secure. O...

INDIAN ARMY'S GODS OF WAR

HAPPY GUNNERS DAY THIS IS A GLIMPSE OF THE TOUGHEST AND DEADLIEST ARTILLERY IN THE WORLD The Indian Army has enough ammunition for its gunners to meet its threats.  It’s rate of modernization will make you proud if you are an Indian and make you cringe with fear if you are its adversary.  There is high level of indigenisation in its modernisation  Indian Artillery is a networked Arm which guarantees to the enemy to deliver the best integrated fire power at least cost for its destruction.  If you have not understood the jargon  It means that all available firepower will be on your head before the blink of an eyelid.  First salvo effectiveness is a way of life.  IF IN DOUBT ASK THE PAKISTANIS WHO FACED THE INDIAN ARTILLERY IN KARGIL AND GOT HAMMERED INTO DEFEAT. WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE THEN.  120 MM MORTAR - SMALL AND DEADLY IN MOUNTAINS WHERE GOATS DREAD TO TREAD  105 MM LIGHT FIELD GUN - IT W...

LEADERSHIP BY U TURN

I was popularly known as Taliban Khan. I used to be very critical of Americans and their Af-Pak Policy. I felt that we were becoming a Chinese colony due to CPEC. I used to air views on Army atrocities in Baluchistan and KP. All that changed. When I was selected as the PM by the Army, I did my first U Turn. All these became my lifelines. I learnt my lesson in leadership. To go up – do a U Turn. I started my tenure in earnest by giving up on those buffaloes in my official residence. I started with ‘Naya’ Gyan for a ‘Naya’ Pakistan. I promised to take ten steps if India would take one, but I always felt that Kashmir banega Pakistan. That was long back. I had just returned from USA. The pitter patter of rain and the promise of ‘mediation’ by the “Trumpet’. Ah! My cup was full. It was blissful and somnambulant. Breaking news…. The TV anchor announced…. India Abrogates Article 370. Kashmir again! Damn you. Bliss gone. Call the team. Draft a retort full of War hype, Nuclear exchan...