Interviews/Spotlights

Northeast: the Role of Narcotics and Arms Trafficking

Northeast: the Role of Narcotics and Arms Trafficking

By: Brig (Dr) SP Sinha | Issue: Book Excerpt: Lost Opportunities | Date: 10 May , 2014

The illegal narcotics trade is one of the major reasons for the continuance of insurgencies in the North-east. The consequences of trafficking in narcotics are many; for one, it is a major source...

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Withdrawal from Siachen – a manifestation of Prithviraj Chauhan syndrome!

Withdrawal from Siachen – a manifestation of Prithviraj Chauhan syndrome!

By: Maj Gen Mrinal Suman | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 08 May , 2014

Siachen is in the news again.Having served at the glacier, one is aware of the ground realities. It is being suggested that ‘demilitarization’ of the glacier will act as a catalyst to foster...

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Creation of Bangladesh: Shining Moment or Strategic Blunder

Creation of Bangladesh: Shining Moment or Strategic Blunder

By: Maj Gen Sheru Thapliyal, PhD | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 06 May , 2014

“DURGA ASTRIDE A TIGER”.  This is how Atal Behari Vajpayee described Indira Gandhi immediately after India’s lightening victory in the 1971 war, which resulted in creation of Bangladesh. ...

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Arihant: The Annihilator

Arihant: The Annihilator

By: Rear Adm AP Revi | Issue: Vol 24.4 Oct-Dec 2009 | Date: 03 May , 2014

The launching of the Arihant by the Prime Minister (PM) on 26th July 2009 has hopefully, at last, partially lifted the top security veil over the Advance Technology Vessel (ATV) Project. In that...

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Siachen was accepted as Indian Territory in 1949!

Siachen was accepted as Indian Territory in 1949!

By: Claude Arpi | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 30 Apr , 2014

The Boss of Pakistan says: “It’s time to resolve the Siachen issue”, but what General Kayani forgets is that the Siachen issue was ‘solved’ long ago, in fact, in July 1949. I reproduced here an...

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Employment of INS Vikramaditya for Military Diplomacy and Power Projection

Employment of INS Vikramaditya for Military Diplomacy and Power Projection

By: Maj Gen Rajesh Singh | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 29 Apr , 2014

INS Vikramaditya a $2.33 billion refurbished aircraft carrier was acquired recently from Russia in November 2013 and is based at Karwar Naval Base on India’s Western Sea Board. This 44,500 ton...

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'The P-17 Frigates, heralds a paradigm shift in the design'

'The P-17 Frigates, heralds a paradigm shift in the design'

By: Bharat Verma | Issue: Vol 25.2 Apr-Jun 2010 | Date: 27 Apr , 2014

Interview with Rear Admiral KN Vaidyanathan, Director General Naval Design Shivalik, the first Ship of the P-17 Class, appears different from earlier designs of IN ships. What are the major new...

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Pakistan: On the Edge

Pakistan: On the Edge

By: Maj Gen Dhruv C Katoch | Issue: Courtesy: CLAWS | Date: 15 Apr , 2014

In the 2013 elections in Pakistan, all the mainstream political parties emphasised their commitment to seek a durable peace with the Tehrik-e-TalibanPakistan (TTP). A peace deal is off course a...

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The future of Indo-US ties now lies squarely on America's shoulders

The future of Indo-US ties now lies squarely on America's shoulders

By: Kanwal Sibal | Issue: Courtesy: Mail Today | Date: 11 Apr , 2014

After entering a green light mode, India-US relations have slipped into an amber mode. How soon we can get back into smooth circulation will depend largely on the US, as the responsibility for the...

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UPA-II Failed Armed Forces

UPA-II Failed Armed Forces

By: Air Marshal B D Jayal | Issue: Courtesy: The Telegraph | Date: 07 Apr , 2014

Writing in these columns when the United Progressive Alliance II commenced its innings (“Through Thick and Thin”, June 3, 2009), one was optimistic that the new dispensation would not sit...

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Strategic Importance of Siachen

Strategic Importance of Siachen

By: Maj Gen Sheru Thapliyal, PhD | Issue: Vol 21.1 Jan-Mar 2006 | Date: 30 Mar , 2014

“I took over as Corps Commander in 03 Aug 1983. In Sep-Oct, I briefed Prime Minister Indira Gandhi about the strategic importance of Siachen and Pak design to capture Khardungla and dominate Leh...

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Modi's stance on foreign policy remains a mystery

Modi's stance on foreign policy remains a mystery

By: Kanwal Sibal | Issue: Courtesy: Mail Today | Date: 25 Mar , 2014

Little interest has been shown domestically about possible new orientations in foreign policy under a Modi-led NDA government. Modi’s single-minded focus on the development agenda has dominated...

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China’s War on Buddhism – Tibetan’s strategic depth

China’s War on Buddhism – Tibetan’s strategic depth

By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 21 Mar , 2014

The release of the Hollywood movie ‘The Monument Men’ has been a huge hit. Not merely because of its celebrated cast but more because of the singular effort made by these men to recover and...

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Strategic Miscalculations

Strategic Miscalculations

By: Kanwal Sibal | Issue: Courtesy: The Telegraph | Date: 06 Mar , 2014

The United States of America is, once again, not managing its relations with India well. Gains made during George W. Bush’s presidency in building strategic trust between the two countries are...

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Remembered Only at Election Time

Remembered Only at Election Time

By: Air Marshal B D Jayal | Issue: Courtesy: The Telegraph | Date: 05 Mar , 2014

It is no secret that the armed forces of the Union have, to an extent, been viewed by our ruling elite as a necessary burden. Reportedly at one time our first prime minister even wondered if they...

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Rise of Naxal Violence

Rise of Naxal Violence

By: Dr Sudhir Hindwan | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 25 Feb , 2014

The recent Naxal attack in Bihar is a disturbing reminder of an array of issues which the country is yet to come to grips with. The series of violent activities by the Maoists in Bihar suggest...

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India's BrahMos Aerospace in new missile race

India's BrahMos Aerospace in new missile race

By: Dr Tom Simko | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 24 Feb , 2014

In a replay of cold war rivalries, a new missile race is shaping up but this time America and Russia are joined by India and China. All of these nations are rushing to develop new anti-ship...

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OROP: Spoofing Soldiers and Veterans

OROP: Spoofing Soldiers and Veterans

By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 18 Feb , 2014

Anyone who saw AK Anthony thumping the desk in Parliament with both hands when Chidambaram announced OROP was sanctioned, would have also noticed the cynical mirth with which Anthony was bursting...

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Turning Putin into a Demon

Turning Putin into a Demon

By: Kanwal Sibal | Issue: Courtesy: Mail Today | Date: 14 Feb , 2014

From our vantage point the vicious onslaught against president Putin in western political circles, especially the media, is difficult to appreciate. The media is of course reflecting prevailing...

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Political insult administered to Modi shouldn’t be overlooked

Political insult administered to Modi shouldn’t be overlooked

By: Kanwal Sibal | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 13 Feb , 2014

US diplomacy is a cynical mixture of principle and expediency. The world’s foremost power needs to project internationally that its policies are based on certain high principles so that its...

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