Indian Defence Review

14-16th Dec 1971 - Inside Enemy Camp

Late night 14th December 1971, Peshawar, West Pakistan. General Yahya Khan, then President of Pakistan was giving a party in his newly constructed house. There were a few selected guests and a Bengali woman Mrs. Shammim (also known as Black Pearl) was one of those chosen ones. She was Gen Yahya’s latest `close`...

First India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue

India and Japan held the inaugural meeting of the India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue in New Delhi on November 30, 2019. During the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit held in Japan (October 2018), Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had jointly decided to begin a 2+2 Dialogue between the two countries...

Reflections on Kashmir Polity

Late Sheikh Mohmmad Abdullah was the tallest and most towering personality in the political history of Jammu and Kashmir who during his long political career experienced many ups and downs. He was crusader who managed Maharaja’s exit from Jammu and Kashmir which had been purchased from Britishers for a measly amount...

First India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue

Attack on Saudi Oil Facilities: An Assessment

The attacks on Saudi Aramco are a reminder of India’s dependence on a very volatile and unstable region of the world. The attack appears to fit a pattern of Iran targeting Saudi Arabia’s oil exports sending a message that if US sanctions on Iran’s exports are not eased, the world should not take Iran’s...

Beyond Trump’s Bagram Thanksgiving

The surprise visit by President Donald Trump to Afghanistan on November 29 to be with US troops for Thanksgiving was a good gesture in line with the respect and support the US gives to its military. In 2018, Trump had similarly visited US troops in Iraq on December 24 – a day before Christmas. Recall Trump concluding...

14-16th Dec 1971 - Inside Enemy Camp

Importance of Data Mining for Operational Efficiency

As world in general begins to move towards widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI for short) authentic data becomes increasingly important. Battlefields of the future are no exception. But for the AI to be effective in any field, the necessary input data is essential. It is often said that ‘data is the new...

INS ‘Vishal’ – next aircraft carrier

Reports in media indicate UK is in talks with the Indian government on building a new state-of-the-art aircraft carrier on the lines of Britain’s HMS ‘Queen Elizabeth’ as part of ongoing ‘Make in India’ negotiations. The report says that talks are underway for the Indian Navy to ‘buy’ detailed plans for...

Reflections on Kashmir Polity

Human Right Day: Pledge complete constitutional democracy and freedom for J&K

On December, 10, the world will celebrate Human Rights Day. This date coincides with the adoption and proclamation of the universal declaration of human rights by the United Nations General Assembly’s in 1948. For many years, in Kashmir, the day has been marked by protests. On this day, the Hurriyat Conference, a...

J&K: For New Narrative to Succeed Winning Confidence is the Need

Time ticks very fast and so does the mood of the people. The initial euphoria over the abrogation of Articles 35A, 370 and reorganisation of the state is fast dying down with stark realities staring at the faces of the citizens. There is no doubt in their mind that there exists no magic band that would usher changes...

Lockheed Martin has appointed William Blair as Vice President and Chief Executive for India

Lockheed Martin has appointed William Blair as Vice President and Chief Executive for India. In this role, Mr. Blair will lead the growth and development of Lockheed Martin’s business in India and serve as the executive representative for all of Lockheed Martin’s programs, products and services in the country. He...

From Net Defence Importer to Net Exporter?

On November 11, 2019, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated, “Looking at the talent India possesses, I am pretty confident that we can become a $10 trillion economy in the next 10-15 years”. He added that the need of the hour is to strengthen research and development in defence manufacturing and that India needs to...

Technology in Warfare: Is India Lagging Behind?

There are more than 250 government or private drone developers or manufacturers in China. Some are working closely with technical universities and the government. China is investing heavily in Swarm Technology and Artificial Intelligence. With the rapid rate of development and astonishing test results, China appears to...

Recollections of the 1971 War

“Rockline Control from 202, request permission to start-up.” “202 from Rockline Control, standby for...

Desperate for Internet in Kashmir

On August 5, the central took the major decision of bifurcating the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two...

Xi Jinping's many problems: Hong Kong to Xinjiang

Since his visit to Mamallapuram, Chinese President Xi Jinping has been facing a rough sea at home. The 4th plenary session of the 19th Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee was held in Beijing from October 28 to 31. The members discussed the work report presented by Xi and adopted it “to uphold and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics”. The complicated situation...

Enduring Mysteries of 1971 War

The lightning campaign launched by the Indian Army in Dec 1971 which resulted in the birth of a new nation — Bangladesh, is surely the greatest feat of arms in our history. As happens in any war, many issue become controversial with differing perceptions and opinions. 1971 war...

Imran-Bajwa power play: The web of deceit will have serious consequences

The perfidious power play in Pakistan has attained a notorious, dishonourable status. Gen. Qamar Bajwa continues as chief while the Imran Khan government is left to grapple with the directions given by the Supreme Court of the country. This web of deceit smelled rotten right from...

Baghdadi’s Elimination: ISIS Down but Not Out

The elimination of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the brutal founder of ‘Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’ (ISIS), on October 27 is a significant achievement for the American counter-terrorism campaign. President Donald Trump while announcing Baghdadi’s death in a raid by the US...

How Rafale verdict proved to be a win for India

The second week of November 2019 will be a marquee event in the annals of the Indian judiciary. Several important, long-pending issues were decided by the Supreme Court of India led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi (retd). On November 9, the Supreme Court (SC) delivered a final settlement on the 70-year-old Ayodhya dispute in an important turning point for the nation. The judgment on the Rafale deal also has immense implications for the country’s future,...