IDR Blog
Acting East: Securing the India-Myanmar Border
Almost a year before 20 soldiers of the Indian Army’s 6th Dogra Regiment were killed in a brutal offensive by Naga-Manipuri militants along the India-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Chandel district, the Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj announced a decisive move from India’s earlier ‘Look East’ to a new ‘Act East’ design for...
The last Ruling King of India
“Maharaja Hari Singh” a patriotic daring, dignitary and dynamic personality of the royal family ascended to the throne of Jammu & Kashmir State in 1925. He gained acclamation for being “The Last Ruling King of Independent India”. Since he continued to be Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir till 5th November 1952. He was born on 23rd...
China: Civilian intrastructure used for military purpose on the plateau
I have often written about the dual use of the infrastructure in China (andparticularly on the Tibetan plateau). Yesterday, Xinhua reported that during their bi-monthly session, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) discussed a new law on national defense transport. The concept behind the new law is that the national...
Time for Pakistan Army to Reconcile
The anti-India belligerent attitude of Pakistan Army has seen an upswing in the recent days. There is no doubt that all is not well internally in Pakistan and the tussle for supremacy between the two Sharifs continues unabated. Whenever, the Pak Army is faced with such challenges at home it resorts to its time-tested formula of upping the...
When a Soldier Cries
The profession of arms is all about management of violence, destruction and death. As it is not easy to muster courage and nerve to kill other human beings, soldiers are trained to acquire a streak of raw ruthlessness and brutality. Consequently, according to common perception, soldiers are supposed to be cold-hearted and unsentimental...