Gunners Shot

Had a free wheeling discussion on abrogation of article 370 and the events in the two years since then as also the way forward.    

We resumed the Generals Talk after a hiatus of nearly a month. In this episode , Lt Gen Satish Dua , Aadi Achint and I had a very interesting and fruitful discussion on the outcomes of the past two years since scrapping Article 370 . We discussed the internal and external factors, in hindsight and looked ahead as to what it will take to make the whole process a success. Few issues emerged. There is no going back. Every stake holder needs to look ahead. While there have been many gains, we must understand that it is a long road ahead which demands patience and maturity. It is not an easy road ahead.  Most importantly there will be external ramifications to every action and internal repercussions. However we need a whole of government political approach as we look ahead into a hopeful future with determination and confidence. Comments on the discussion are welcome......     

  Part 1 – The Military Dimension Reports have alluded to PLA transgressing the LAC and occupation of locations / heights in violation of accepted terms of the recent military agreements. One report also claimed that a clash had taken place at Galwan. There have been many reports of PLA build up and preparations in the rear areas including turn around of the formations deployed there. Reports also indicate deployment of S 400 and long-range surface to surface missiles. Further, indications are that their airfields are being improved and runways extended in Tibet besides a new one coming up opposite the Central Sector. All these reports go on to suggest that the PLA is undertaking a massive build up. .....Click here for the balance of Part 1...  Part 2 – The Geopolitical Dimension     If you have not read Part 1, PLEASE DO NOT GO AHEAD. Read Part 1 and then proceed. You will get the larger picture……    In Part 1 of this article I had discussed the various aspects of the present Sino Ind

  Part 1 – The Military Dimension   Reports have alluded to PLA transgressing the LAC and occupation of locations / heights in violation of  accepted terms of the recent military agreements. One report also claimed that a clash had taken place at Galwan. There have been many reports of PLA build up and preparations in the rear areas including turn around of the formations deployed there. Reports also indicate deployment of S 400 and long-range surface to surface missiles. Further, indications are that their airfields are being improved and runways extended in Tibet besides a new one coming up opposite the Central Sector. All these reports go on to suggest that the PLA is undertaking a massive build up. The India Today cover story by Sandeep Unnithan in its 09 Aug 21 edition has given all this in terrific eye-opening detail.  The larger picture which emerges is that it is suggestive of aggressive designs to attack India again soon. One must see things in the correct perspective and then

I had an interesting chat with Mr Sree Iyer of P Gurus on Afghanistan a while back. I explain the interests of Pakistan and China in Afghanistan and put the withdrawal of USA in the correct perspective in the current situation as it is evolving.    

    Former prime PM Manmohan Singh   recently said   ‘The road ahead is even more daunting than during the 1991 economic crisis and the nation would need to recalibrate its priorities to ensure a dignified life for all Indians’. He also quoted the last lines from Robert Frosts poem ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ which say 'But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep'. Metaphorically speaking it is time to stop by our neck of the woods     to see that they are indeed dark and deep. However they are not really lovely as visualised by Frost. Let us see how dark the woods are.     To put it in perspective in 1991, the crisis was largely economic and internal to India. In 1987, Operation Chequerboard had convinced the Chinese of the capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces. It led to, PM Rajiv Gandhi’s visit to China in 1988 to brake the ice  in Sino Indian relations. China was not the adversary it is today. On the other end, Pakistan had been rattled by Opera

  Everyone expects Taliban, supported by Pakistan, which is backed by China to sweep into power in Afghanistan. That is the dark visage floating up. As the US forces are leaving the country , the current momentum and  tempo of the Taliban offensive suggests an inevitability of their return. There is sense of return to the bad old days. There is air of despondency in Indian strategic circles, jubilation in some sections of Pakistan,  and a large sense of trepidation in the rest of the world. From China emanates the smell of greed and a a sense of fear simultaneously. There is an aura of total opacity of what the future holds. However we have to go back into history to understand what can happen in future.   The international geopolitical scene was far different in the days when Taliban rose to  power. One superpower – USSR had been just defeated and was disintegrating. The other superpower – USA just walked away from the region savouring victory in an era of the forthcoming unipolar wor