Indian Defence Review

Finally, a new comprehensive look at Kashmir and the North East with supreme efforts at economic, cultural and emotional integration would preclude any real threat or their use as bargaining counters. Some of the increases in defence expenditure could well be used for dual use infrastructure in these areas.

Efficient preparation requires quick decisions and crisp implementation. Three recent examples of our predilection for prevarication and delay come to mind. The first was in the aftermath of the successful Nuclear Agreement with President Bush in 2008 when parliament passed the retrogressive Nuclear Liability Act. This came in the way of our civil nuclear power programme, only recently revived, requiring a general election and a new Prime Minister to do so! Ditto with GST. The lag between intention and implementation is more evident in our decision to buy jet fighters under the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme, key to defence preparedness. It is well known that there has been a decade long ‘immediate’ requirement for such jets to replace our ageing fleet. After lengthy delays, the government finally settled on the French Rafale. Protracted negotiations, with an indifference to security concerns (and cost overruns) followed. After much delay, finally, the contract for 36 Rafale jets has been signed.

The Gripen merits a second look, standing out as a solid and reliable aircraft and considerably lighter on the exchequer in terms of life cycle/operational costs. It further meets the Prime Minister’s ‘Make in India’ objectives with the parent company, SAAB, agreeing, according to MK Shukla, to shift its entire manufacturing facility to India with 100 per cent technology transfer and with ‘aerospace capability’-setting up a ‘complete ecosystem’ (GFiles 10th issue), with exports to third countries! The economic backward and forward linkages would be enormous. Importantly and conveniently, it can use US made GE F414, the very engines proposed to be imported/manufactured by HAL for the Tejas fighter. A win-win for India! One can only hope that, given the security implications, an early decision is taken on the basis of viability and usefulness alone, really best left to the Indian Air Force!

But all these critical initiatives become almost meaningless unless we have the heart and mind to go to war and the will to win. This idea is reflected in Napoleon’s comment that there were ‘two powers in the world – the sword and the mind. In the long run, “the sword is always beaten by the mind.” The political establishment in India, following the military debacle in 1962 and the remarkable economic development of our neighbour since the 1990s, is awed by China, creating a mind-set of passivity. This is made worse by a very endearing aspect of Indian character that of usually appreciating the other’s point of view! The raison d’être for our China policy cannot simply be one of accommodation-governed by our concern not to give offence. This is pathetically weakening. We know that appeasement only makes for a bolder adversary.

China is regarded, correctly, as a country that is powerful and efficient with an ability to get things done but incorrectly that it is invincible. Fortunately, the fighting arms of our armed forces are quietly confident. Perhaps it is not widely understood that ‘victory’ in a war with China really only requires a stalemate following a robust defence. This is an area that the leadership needs to educate others. But to be successful in a protracted ‘conflict’ situation with a relentless foe, leadership of quite another dimension is required. As Clausewitz describes this quality…“As the moral forces in one individual after another become prostrated, the whole inertia of the mass rests on the Will of the Commander; by the spark in his breast, by the light of his spirit, the spark of purpose, the light of hope, must be kindled afresh in others.” (Barnett: Introduction). This kind of leadership is required – to an appreciation of its own strengths and destiny.

Happily, there is a fine example of awe-inspiring grit and resoluteness from our own history that may be profitably emulated. Inspired by Guru Gobind Singh, the charismatic Jassa Singh Ahluwalia (1718-1783), rallied the people of Punjab when fatalistic pessimism had become the order of the day. Fighting against insurmountable odds, he combined a self-belief with a sound military organisation, a bold and unconventional strategy and quick witted opportunism, to defeat Ahmad Shah Abdali, the effective ruler of North India and the greatest world conqueror of his time. As a consequence, he won freedom and sovereignty for Punjab after centuries of subjugation, in the process conquering Lahore, Sirhind and Delhi.

What are the lessons for India? Jassa Singh’s life teaches us to remove the psychological barriers that weaken us and remove any residual awe felt for any country and people. We learn that success comes with a clear vision, focus on key goals, equanimity in the face of crisis, dogged and determined action and a ruthless will. We also learn not to take short cuts. Both the Mughals and Abdali had offered him the rulership of Punjab, nominally under them. Jassa Singh, unhesitatingly refused and defeated them subsequently. Finally we learn, that for grand success, one factor is essential – a deep love and respect for the motherland against which any threat is unacceptable and any pain inflicted dealt with in the severest possible manner.

It has been said that engaging China is like trying to wake someone pretending to be asleep. Certainly it involves trying to be neighbourly with a country that does not desire friendship. But friendship is not impossible. Developing conditions for harmony takes time and patience – to take advantage of opportunities which present themselves or are created, the latter more likely when one is strong. Of course, much caution is required – to ensure larger conflicts are avoided. But India has to prove to itself just as it has to prove to China and others that it is capable of taking tough decisions and strong action when required. The costs of not doing so are too high to comprehend.

Clausewitz said, “The trauma of a military defeat can only be overcome by a military victory over the same opponent.” India can triumph over this trauma by developing an invincible confidence, a strong case for a belief in chardian kala – exuberance, optimism and high spiritedness resulting from economic and militarily strength, a belief in oneself leading to a conviction of success.