Lateral Induction

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India’s embarking on sensible economic policies in the beginning of the 1990s has begun to bear fruit. As a result, few countries now concede that India is central to South Asia. Therefore it is merely a matter of time, before they accept the fact that democratic-to-the-boot, liberal in its philosophy, and with imposing strategic location, India is not limited to South Asia but is central to Asia’s well-being as such. The Prime Minister has recently set the ball rolling by stating in an unequivocal term that India will emerge as a “key player in Asia”- a deserved strategic destination.

The map of Asia is dotted with small and medium sized Islamic countries where overtly or covertly the flavour of the times, tend to lean towards religious extremism in a variety of disguises. There is a growing envy of political and economic freedom the Indian citizens enjoy. Many great powers for fear of competition in future from India in the international pecking order, continue to join hands in support of a terrorist state like Pakistan to weigh India down. Our institutions of Free Press are relentlessly used against us by planting ridiculous ideas like – self-governance of J&K with joint control by India and Pakistan, providing territorial concessions to Musharaff regime in J&K, and repeatedly harping on Kashmir being a nuclear flash point. Democracies will invariably face such hurdles, imposed many a time by other free societies! Thought processes inimical to us will find their way as vested interests will utilise our freedom to conduct their psywar, even as they jockey for improved market positions in the Indian bazaar! These are natural hazards of a democratic polity. On the other hand, acutely deficit strategic thinking in New Delhi has prevented consolidation of the Union by not permitting the natural flow of Indian citizens from other parts to settle down in Kashmir and the Northeast, and in turn  bring prosperity in these areas by infusing talent, labour and capital. Instead, we permitted ethnic cleansing in Kashmir, export of terrorism from Islamabad, and encouraged demographic invasion by Bangladesh in the Northeast by designing IMDT for vote bank politics. It is a strange logic that illegal infiltrators and terrorists from Bangladesh and Pakistan without passports can settle down in Northeast and Kashmir but our legitimate citizens cannot. While enjoying the fruits of freedom from the tree of democracy, we have been consciously weakening the branch we sit on. Couple these with the fact that with increased accent on economic diplomacy in the global scenario, Indian MNC’s will play a vital role in Asia, and the wealth so generated internally as well as externally will need underpinning of the military power to defend it, lest, as demonstrated in the past, outsiders walk away with it. Therefore, to defend our economic interests in an unstable and mostly authoritarian Asia, and to protect our values and perks that are part and parcel of a free society, we will need to hone our military power and enhance its efficacy and reach.

The most critical problem the Indian military faces today is the huge shortage of Officers. Particularly, the levels of deficit at 25% for Army are scary on two counts. First, the Indian Army is involved in protecting on day to day basis, very hostile and vast land borders in North, East and West; besides the raging insurgencies in Kashmir and the Northeast. Second, to face this Herculean task, it is almost short by 16000 officers. That too where it hurts most – lieutenants, captains and majors – the ranks that give the cutting edge leadership on ground without which no General can win a battle, leave alone a war. Methods and measures adopted so far – by ensuring that every Officer makes it to the rank of Colonel has in effect  diluted the rank structure thereby weakening regimented hierarchy essential for successful war fighting. It will result in  bloating of the senior echelons of the Army that goes against every universally accepted military tenet, and will further compound the problem of the ageing profile of the military. In a few years it  would be natural that   expectations will enhance and the limit is raised to Brigadier. This however, will not attract the youth to join the military on two counts. First, the job options available today are so numerous, that they are deluged by tempting offers. For them,  joining the military is not on the radar really. Second, the daunting challenges that the Army officer faces in his routine day to day fight against terrorism alone deters parents from encouraging their children to opt for military as a long term career.

Unfortunately for the Indian Union, even in 2005, the prophecy of Field Marshal Wavell holds true, as we are yet to consolidate our gains as a nation. He said at the time of independence, “… the stability of the Indian Army may perhaps be a deciding factor in the future of India.” This is the singular reason for Musharaff to keep harping on demilitarization of Kashmir because what they could not obtain by war as Indian Army stood guard; they want to obtain through other deceitful means! Hypothetically, also if we send the military, on forced leave for three months (top-to-bottom), the  scenario can easily be visualised. Within 15 days the entire J&K would fall into the hands of the Pakistan Army. Within a month it would be in  Punjab and knocking at the doors of Delhi. Similarly in the Northeast, Bangladesh with the help of Pakistan would invade Assam, the Seven Sisters and pose serious threat to West Bengal in no time. In Asia, it is multi-cultural India alone that stands in the way of creation of the Caliphate declared by the Islamic fundamentalists encompassing most of Asia. If this cultural and emerging geo-economic hub falls, then the demographically ageing Western Civilisation  will ultimately  whither too! Therefore, it is an operational requirement to keep the military young. It is imperative to  remove the human resources shortfall speedily before the system begins to fail and buckles under the ageing profile of its leadership. Keeping in view the current environmental factors there is only one viable strategy, i.e., assured lateral induction of military personnel into para-military, police forces, intelligence services and civil administration.

Even during the British Rule there was far better civil-military relations because a large number of army officers did stints with the Police. Even today, in many parts of the country the SP is alluded to as Captain Sahib. With the growing menace of terrorism and internal violence, we would do well to consider that there is more commonality between  Army and Police, Army and Para-military ; than Police and Para-military or even the Police and Bureaucracy. Yet, the paramilitary forces and our intelligence organisations are overwhelmingly manned by police officers. If our policy makers feel that soldiering is not as noble and challenging as policing or collecting taxes then the country must compromise with its legitimate  ambitions and even be prepared to pay a price for it.

Lateral induction is the  only way today to attract the  young but savvy population to the  toughest profession where the  risk-to-life factor is an everyday affair. Once they know that after a short and demanding tenure they have an assured career elsewhere, with seniority of service intact, and their family will not be on the roads, the deficit in officer cadre will disappear. Similarly, a jawan after ten-year tenure must be  laterally  inducted into para-military, coast guard, marine police and the central and state police set-ups. Today when the Union faces unprecedented security threats from North to South and East to West, it is necessary that we create and maintain a lean and mean fighting machine. It is no longer an option but an imperative. Further, modernisation of Armed Forces requires not only induction of the latest state-of-the-art technology but also infusion of fresh manpower so as to retain the requisite youthful zeal – a key determinant of military prowess. We are a nation having one of the best youth profile in the world but do not have the will to institute policy mechanisms that can even partially derive advantages of this attribute.

Multiple benefits will also accrue to the Union from Lateral Induction. First, the transfer of highly disciplined, trained and skilled manpower to the civil set-up will immensely contribute towards creation of ‘culture of discipline’ in the  country. Second, their superior  training standards will give added teeth to civil and para-military forces in combating terrorism and internal violence. Last but not the least, it will further unify and consolidate the Union, even while preserving the country’s diversity.

A strange kind of mindset prevails in the country wherein people in general and the polity think that the responsibility for external security rests only with the armed forces personnel who are specially and only trained for the purpose, and which has little relevance in civil society and other professions. Earlier, the Kings not only ruled their subjects but led the army in battles. Akbar was a fine warrior and also an excellent administrator. In the developed countries soldiering for the nation is a matter of pride. In the US Presidential elections, a military service background weighs heavily in the prospects of a candidate and so is the case in many other countries. Prince Andrews flew maximum number of sorties in Falkland war. More recently Prince William has completed his training at Sandhurst and Prince Harry has just entered. Also, in the recent Bhutan Army operations against ULFA, the prince sustained injuries while leading his troops. There is a message in these examples for our youth who aspire to be leaders. They may also do well to remember that most of our great leaders had flirtations with uniform which include Mahatma Gandhi, Pt. Nehru,  Subhash Chandra Bose and Morarji Desai. Awareness and appreciation of military matters amongst the Indian people is an imperative if India is to become ‘a key player in Asia.’ It would also serve as an antidote to casteism and communilism. Also, in a secular land rich with diversity, an apolitical military machine makes the most sensible rallying point. Therefore in my considered opinion, the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister and the CCS must rise beyond status quo thinking by firmly discouraging all unnecessary turf wars and instituting policy mechanisms to facilitate Lateral Induction.

 

Bharat Verma, Editor Indian Defence Review