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`100 APRIL-MAY 2017, VOL 9 ISSUE 8 www.salute.co.in I www.saluteindia.org CPEC: WHY INDIA IS CONCERNED 02 AD_00_COVER_1.qxd 6/12/2017 12:18 PM Page 1 03-Contents_03_EDIT.qxd 6/14/2017 11:51 AM Page 3

in this issue

04 NEEDLING THE ARMY I Maj Gen Dhruv C Katoch 05 THE BATTLE FOR QAISER-I-HIND TOWER: BATTLE OF HUSSAINIWALA (1971 INDO PAK WAR) I Col BPS Thakur 06 YOUR VOICE 08 GESTATION OR PROCRASTINATION? I Air Mshl Sumit Mukerji 09 POTENTIAL PITFALLS OF CPEC I Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha 10 CHINA’S STRATEGIC GATEWAY TO THE INDIAN OCEAN I Lt Gen PK Singh 12 HAS CHINA GONE OBOR-BOARD? I Saurabh Dubey 14 THE INDIA-CHINA RELATIONSHIP: COMPETITION AND 30 COOPERATION I Ravi Bhoothalingam THE TALK SABHA I Col Arun Sarkar 16 32 PORT: STRATEGIC NECESSITY FOR INDIA I DEFENCE NEWS Maj Gen P K Chakravorty 18 36 RAISINA HILL I Lt Col Anil Bhat THE CHINA PAK NEXUS: CAN IT BE COUNTERED? I 37 Maroof Raza 20 VETERANS ALERT I Hony Capt Baldev Singh 38 THE ICJ VEDICT ON THE KULBHUSHAN JADHAV CASE I Dr D. Suba Chandran BOOK REVIEW I Lt Col Anil Bhat 22 39 POINT-COUNTERPOINT A TRIP TO PARADISE - TIRTHAN I Ritu Sharma OBOR: INDIA MUST STAY IN THE GAME I 41 Dr Srinath Raghavan PANI PURI - THE FUN SNACK I Aditi Pathak TURNING DOWN CHINA I Ram Madhav 42 26 MAROOF’S MUSINGS I A SURGICAL STRIKE AT SEA IN 1971 I Maj Chandrakant Singh Maroof Raza

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EDITOR’S NOTE

NEEDLING Publisher Maroof Raza THE ARMY Editor Maj Gen Dhruv C Katoch MAJ GEN DHRUV C KATOCH SM, VSM A rather peculiar phenomenon which is now stone pelter, taking the high moral ground that appearing on the political landscape and in the such an act had no place in the Army’s ethos. The Associate Editor mainstream and social media, is that anyone Government supported the Army Chief, but pre- Lt Col Anil Bhat who is anyone, feels compelled to comment on dictably, the opposition came out all guns blaz- VSM (Retd) the country’s Armed Forces, more so on the ing, indicting the Centre and the alliance govern- actions of the Army. The trend gained traction ment at the State for its perceived failure in Design after the terror attack on the Air Force Station at bringing peace and normalcy to the Valley and UNEEDUS Pathankot in January 2016, which caused casual- infringement of the human rights of the civilian ties to own forces before the terrorists were elim- stone pelter. Publicity Manager inated. This was followed a month later by a ter- Soon public opinion was divided on the issue. Hony Capt (Retd) Baldev Singh ror attack on a government building in the out- Editorial pieces in the Indian Express slammed skirts of Srinagar which resulted in the loss of the Army, the Telegraph termed the sequence of Board of Advisers three para commandos including two Captains, incidents as shocking and unbecoming and the Lt Gen Sudhir Sharma before the lone terrorist was eliminated. Then in Hindustan Times bluntly stated “The General PVSM, AVSM, YSM ,VSM( Retd) September, 17 soldiers lost their lives in a sneak has it wrong”. Karan Thapar, the son of a former attack on a brigade HQ in Uri sector, which right- Chief also jumped into the fray, stating that it was Printed published by ly caused rage and indignation across the coun- ‘not the Indian Army I know’. But other main- Flags Media Pvt Ltd try and led to the Indian Army responding by a stream papers supported the Army, support A-47 Hauz Khas (LGF) surgical strike across the border, successfully tar- pouring in overwhelmingly also from the social New Delhi 110016 geting a number of terrorist bases. Finally, in media. In all the brouhaha, the basic issue how- November, the terrorists struck once again, this ever got ignored. Printed at time at an artillery unit in Nagrota, killing three Commanders need to take decisions in real JK Offset Graphics (P) Ltd soldiers, including one Captain. time in situations which are akin to war. Their C-21,DDA Shed, 2017 has not yet seen the type of high profile actions cannot be judged in terms of right or Okhla Phase -1 attacks of 2016 on military targets, which per- wrong — but on whether their action was done haps points to the success of the Army in keeping in good faith. How an action will eventually pan New Delhi -110020 the area under effective domination, but civil dis- out can never be pre-determined and young obedience in the form of pelting stones at the commanders must always have the backing of RNI Registration security forces has taken on a more ominous their superiors in the chain of command for tak- DELENG/2008/26923 dimension. It was to save the lives of election offi- ing on the spot decisions. Otherwise, our junior cials and their protection party from a thousand leadership will lose confidence in the higher Certified that the views or so stone pelters intent on creating mayhem leadership with disastrous consequences for the expressed and suggestions that Maj Gogoi, who was detailed to rescue the Army and the nation. More importantly, as said made in the articles are made beleaguered officials, tied up a stone pelter in so eloquently by Sadguru, decisions on the bat- by authors in their personal front of his jeep and carried out the rescue with- tlefield must be left to the commanders who are capacity and do not have any out mishap in April this year. But then all hell facing the bullets and cannot be the subject of official endorsement broke loose, with exaggerated concern being debate in the media. Every action cannot be put expressed for the human rights of the tied up open to public gaze. The Army is the instrument stone pelter, but muted or no criticism being of final resolve and its edge must never be showered on the murderous stone pelters and allowed to be eroded. Which is why the Chief their attempts to thwart the election process. The supported his officers fighting on the battlefield. Army supported the action of Gogoi, with the On a different note, Karan Thapar may be right Chief giving him his commendation card while when he stated that this is not the Army he grew stating at the same time that though not the up in. It most certainly is not. The present Chief norm for the Army, different situations required upheld the interests of the Army. Sadly, that did different responses. A former Army Commander not happen when his father was the Chief and we of Northern Command however openly suffered humiliation at the hands of the Chinese expressed his displeasure to the act of tying up a in 1962.

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BATTLE ACCOUNT

THE BATTLE FOR QAISER-I-HIND TOWER: BATTLE OF HUSSAINIWALA (1971 INDO PAK WAR)

Col BPS Thakur staircase with ammunition boxes and barrels which were stocked inside. When the enemy launched his fourth attack, Qaiser-i-Hind Tower is a fort like Surjit tied his quilt to a pick-axe, doused structure built by the British as the it with kerosene, lit it with fire and threw Northern Gate of a British era railway it down the stairs. The kerosene and bridge which connected Kasur to ammunition caught fire and kept the Ferozepur. The Tower took its name from enemy at bay throughout the night, with the hero of freedom struggle, Shaheed the MMG continuing to spit fire at the Bhagat Singh, whose Samadhi lies near attackers. the tower along with those of his At the crack of dawn on 04 December, colleagues Sukhdev and Rajguru and the IAF fighters appeared in the skies and later BK Dutt. bombed enemy tanks, vehicles and In February 1971, 15 Punjab (Patiala), positions, forcing the enemy to retreat to had occupied def in the Hussaniwala safer positions. The enemy now enclave and its ‘C’ Company was mobilised his tanks to bring down the assigned to take up defences in the tower. Anticipating the worst, Surjit was Samadhi. With guile and eye for ground, fighting ensued, with Surjit’s MMG ordered to fall back to the Guide bandh, a Nk Surjit Singh, the MMG (Medium causing havoc on the attacking enemy. task he successfully executed, but was Machine Gun) detachment commander, However, the sheer volume of the attack wounded once again by enemy fire, this sighted his MMG atop the Qaiser-i-Hind and the element of surprise which had time receiving splinter injuries on his Tower which enabled domination of the been achieved, enabled the enemy, later right hand. The move back was approach leading to the Samadhi from identified as 41 Baluch, to capture the accomplished just in the nick of time, for the direction of Rail Bandh, both by fire western half of the Samadhi Company the enemy using tanks, finally brought and observation. Besides camouflaging defences. The enemy’s progress down the top of the Qaiser-i-Hind Tower. and fortifying his machine gun position eastwards was however held up due to Despite his injuries, Surjit Singh refused atop the tower, Surjit also prepared heavy fire from Surjit’s MMG, which was to be evacuated, but his company numerous alternate and secondary in mutual support with other automatic commander forced him to leave. The positions. In October 71, intelligence weapons on his flank. NCO retired as a Havildar in 1973 and inputs suggested that was The Company Commander, Maj SPS lives a happy and a contented life at preparing for an offensive and an attack Waraich and later the CO, Lt Col GBVL Rajpura near Patiala, Punjab. The on the Samadhi had to be guarded Sastry, VSM visited Surjit’s position and battalion earned the ‘Theatre Honour— against. Nk Surjit Singh’s main concern complimented the troops for their fine PUNJAB’ for the 1971 Indo Pak War, was the approach leading to his performance. The enemy was just 100 based on the outstanding fight given by company along the road from Joint meters away, having established a firm these great unsung heroes which include Check Post (JCP) which was not mined base behind the railway bundh. Once Maj Kanwaljeet Singh, SC and his entire and was open to civil traffic! This had again, the enemy opened fire, this time ‘D’ Coy (Perimeter Company) which now been covered by Surjit with his with a rcl gun aimed at the tower. Surjit fought till last man, last round and killed MMG. received splinter injuries on his left arm, nearly the entire enemy 3 Punjab. In their On the fateful evening of 03 Dec 71 at but was fearless as ever. The enemy books on the war, ‘Pakistan’s Crisis in about 1800 h, just when the civil traffic attacked, but was repulsed after close Leadership’ by Maj Gen Fazal Mukeem had cleared, the enemy commenced hand to hand combat. Two more attacks Khan and ‘The Battle of Hussainiwala sudden and heavy artillery shelling on of the enemy were beaten back by the and Qaiser-i-Hind’ by Lt Col (Retd) Habib our defences. This was followed by an staunch defenders, but the enemy was Ahmed, the CO of 41 Baluch in the battle infantry attack supported by a squadron determined to take out the MMG in 1971, the defenders have received of armour. Surjit’s appreciation was position. Nk Surjit, showing great fulsome praise for their stoic defence. proven right fro the enemy had launched presence of mind, now organised his Last but not the least, 41 Baluch was a frontal attack along the JCP road. Bitter detachment and blocked the tower awarded the title ‘Fateh-i-Qaiser-i-Hind’.

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YOUR VOICE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Sir, totally agree with you on the point that make a way out in between. We cannot A very relevant subject has been touched we should not send troops to leave the things at this stage. upon by Gen. Sudhir Sharma in his Afghanistan unless it happens under —Ashok Singh article “Be Distinct” in SALUTE – Feb- blue helmet (UN). We should continue Mar 17. Besides the valid points with developmental assistance, giving Dear Sir, highlighted, one wonders if there is a weapons and training to their forces, Refer to Point-Counterpoint: SALUTE: planned strategy to equate the Army humanitarian aid and diplomatic Mar-Apr 2017. The West, USA and with other uniformed forces. The media support. US has been asking for it since Pakistan have larger stakes in plays a very dubious role — deliberate or they entered Afghanistan but the Afghanistan compared to India. All three lack of knowledge — they loosely use the multinational operation was without stand badly burnt. The military and terms soldier, jawan, security forces, UN sanction, and unilaterally political situation is complex and gets armed forces, martyr, — further blurring launched.The point of consideration is further exacerbated when income from the difference between various forces. It that it doesn't help us any way. A large opium gets into the fray. As of now, the has already done tremendous damage number of countries have already Afghan Army and Police Forces can and will do irreparable damage in the created enough confusion there, and let contain the . However, in case long term. Time for the Army to come us not add on to that. It is unlikely to be Taliban overruns the present regime, out strongly against this sad state of a consensus decision in India for there will be more problems for Pakistan affairs and take a strong stand to various reasons. Militarily we have our and Iran. An Indian intervention can differentiate the roles within the hands full to handle two and a half take place only through the Chabahar uniformed forces and equally fronts after CPEC. Why add one more Port, as we do not have land access. That importantly, fight the perception battle front which is totally detached and can would depend on Iranian interests and by insisting on different uniform, badges be a vulnerability? the development of the port and the of rank and so on. While we commend —Maj Gen Shashi Asthana road to provide access. Till then, we and respect the service and sacrifice of should bide our time. As of now we have other uniformed services it is imperative Dear Sir, limited capability to mount an in national interest that army names, This refers to Point-Counterpoint: expeditionary force across sea through a terms and method of referring are not Should India send troops to Afghanistan. port and land not belonging to us and we replicated by others.We have to do it in The Afghan situation is of course of also lack resources even for domestic national interest. serious concern to India. I feel we should needs. We should avoid this quagmire by —Maj Gen P Rajagopal, AVSM, VSM continue to extend all the support being a barge pole, but must support the given and also shed inhibitions in Afghan government and see that it does Dear Sir, providing military hardware. India is still not capitulate. This refers to Point-Counterpoint: a developing third world nation and in —Col Yogendra Pal Singh Should India deploy troops in the present scenario, commitment of Afghanistan in the Mar-Apr issue of troops in Afghanistan may not be a Dear Sir, SALUTE. I feel that we needed to send prudent course of action. However Our involvement in Afghanistan has a troops. The centre of gravity may be deployment of troops under the UN flag limited strategic aim, that is to keep Pakistan, but we need to put at least a (incase it comes to that) is highly Pakistan unsettled. We are achieving that division if not more in Afghanistan to out recommend. aim quite satisfactorily. The Indian flank Pakistan. The troops would create —Col Mathew Adipuzha troops cannot get embroiled on ground space for training of the ANA and will in Afghanistan which is a bugger's also troubled Pakistan which lacks depth Dear Sir, muddle right now. Keep helping — just 350 odd miles at the narrowest I have gone through both the viewpoints Afghanistan build up their point. Till we don’t open a flank, Pakistan very seriously (Point-Counterpoint: infrastructure, and we will have their is at strategic quid pro to India. SALUTE: Mar-Apr 2017). I am of the goodwill on our side. —Brig Chander Thapa opinion that India should make a way —Yeshwant Umralkar out in between both of the viewpoints, Dear Sir, fairly provided by the very experienced Dear Sir, This refers to Point-Counterpoint: personalities of the Indian armed forces. I'm of the view that India needs to move Should India deploy troops in Both the strategies have their own beyond its traditional aversion to getting Afghanistan, SALUTE: Mar-Apr 2017. I strengths and weaknesses. So we have to involved in other people's affairs and

06 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << April - May 2017 << [email protected] 06-07-Letters_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 6/14/2017 11:49 AM Page 2

YOUR VOICE

move smartly to remedy the steady loss certainly incense Pakistan, which has situation demands build up the strength of ground to the Sino-Pak axis. The time consistently feared Indian presence in to a division. to transform ourselves from a mere their 'strategic depth'. Pakistan will —Ravindra Dixit pawn to a player in the great game is respond with increasing belligerence in here. Its true that many may call it J&K, and so would China and perhaps Dear Sir, Modi's Sri Lanka, and that is what it the Russians too. Would we not find it This refers to the editorial in SALUTE, could become if we are content with tough to contain the fall-out? Mar-Apr 2017. I Fully agree with the platitudes and half measures.The —Pushpendra Singh analysis and solutions offered. I am not presence of a thoughtfully conceived unduly worried. We are capable to and composed Indian Expeditionary Dear Sir, achieve much more if the need arises. Force will confer several benefits which The aim of Indian assistance in —Col Prem Chand outweigh costs. Firstly, it will make Pak Afghanistan must be two fold — Assist rethink the cost of its Kashmir fetish and Afghanistan and engage Pakistan from Dear Sir, focus more on its North and West. the West. India only need to enunciate a This refers to the editorial in SALUTE, Secondly, it will accelerate the clear aim. Deploying a division in Mar-Apr 2017. The sentiment is also development and opening of a line of Afghanistan would defacto commit upto influenced by veterans (and serving communication from Chabahar to the a corps, since it would involve turnover soldiers) disillusioned with Govt. on 7 CARs and help reduce international over a longish Lines of Communication Pay Commission, NFU, OROP, dependance on a greedy and conniving over , which itself is equivalent status with police forces. Pak military. Thirdly, it would constitute tendentious given our relations with Iran Govt. handling of these have been unequivocal messaging of not just intent and Iranian relations with Pakistan. shoddy, if not insensitive. Today's but resoluteness. Fourthly we have to What can be achieved by a division can handling of veterans at Jantar Mantar find ways and means of culling mass be achieved by a strong brigade group and India Gate just adds to this negative produced pan-Islamic militancy at a with adequate air assets. We need to vibe. stand off distance before it is at our augment the Afghan Army to ensure —Brig Ajai Singh throats in Kashmir. Most importantly, it safety & security of the Gwadar-Kabul will undermine to a large extent the link. That limited aim would address our Dear Sir, complacency and impunity with which strategic & political interests. This refers to the editorial in SALUTE, Pak has been waging proxy wars against —Rajinder Verma Mar-Apr 2017. The arguments are lost in all its neighbours and open new fronts statistics in an attempt to give clean chit which Pak can ill afford. Dear Sir, to government of the Day. The attacks on —Col Milind Ranade We don't want another Sri Lanka! India security forces were never so daring and must stay out of Afghanistan for good spectacular. No amount of statistics can Dear Sir, reason! What it can do is to train and wash of the inaction and inertia of One reason we are viewed in friendly equip the Afghanistan Army. Let them present government in the matter. light by Afghans is that we are not in fight their wars, but provide them with Congress has already lost its credibility direct contact with them, unlike the weapons and equipment. being the main architect of present mess Pakistanis who are next door neighbours —Mrigank Mishra and if BJP continues with the same and using their proximity to meddle in legacy without any resolve for tangible Afghan affairs. Pakistan mostly uses Dear Sir, results n solutions,they seriously risk the proxies, though some reports indicate Thank you for two well written articles same fate. 2019 is approaching fast. that on some missions, Pakistan regular on whether India should deploy troops —Vibhuti Bharati troops slipped in as Taliban and fought in Afghanistan in Point-Counterpoint. the Afghan Army. The second reason is The sensible answer to this issue is that Dear Sir, that Afghanistan has four major India should not do so, due to lack of The Separatists and Abdullah have to be ethnicities: Tajiks, Uzbeks, Shia Hazaras connectivity. We should however, moved out of the Valley and then the and the dominant Pakhtuns who also maintain our level of involvement in the army can work without irrelevant spill across the Durand line in Khyber- country to the present levels. However, remarks being made by the opposition. Pakhtunkhwa. Injecting Indian troops we need to keep in mind the growing —Ashali Varma into this volatile tribal mix will certainly economic, military and diplomatic clout alienate us from many groups. We had of India, and therefore, it may be in our Dear Sir, supported Uzbeks & Tajiks during the interest to progressively increase our For democracy to win, no shortcuts but last uprising that overthrew the Taliban. presence in Afghanistan. There appears be ready for longer haul with strict So a section of Pakhtuns would certainly to be no reason why India cannot supply danda along with welfare measures. resent Indian troops presence. Finally them arms and ammunition, deploy —Lt Col Niranjan Bakshi there is geopolitics. Such actions would training and advisory teams and if the

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OUT OF THE BLUE GESTATION OR PROCRASTINATION? Air Mshl Sumit Mukerji, PVSM, SC, VSM

will likely fulfil the 'needs' and who are security is not. baying at the doors of the GoI. It all Halfway into a new government, makes for interesting reading and India is finally finding its place on the provides a huge canvas to the scribes as world stage and for more reasons than well as the visual media to project the one. While the rising economy plays a pros and cons of each competitor with major role, providing visibility of state-of-the-art visuals. Senior officers growth, the acknowledgement of India and defence analysts are peppered with as a major player, I would consider, is questions and quoted, in some cases, purely due to the sterling leadership all this possibly engineered by the currently in place. The Prime Minister, lobbying agents. But where the GoI is Shri Narendra Modi, with his approach concerned, it is not a seller's market, to stem corruption, streamline rather a buyer's market, which is the procedures, his international sojourns reason behind the high stakes games to convince foreign countries to invest "It was the best of times, it was the the bureaucrats and politicians play. in the potential of India and his 'Make worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, For purely selfish reasons and taking in India' thrust which is destined to it was the age of foolishness, it was the advantage of a culture reeking and promote the Indian defence industry by epoch of belief, it was the epoch of redolent in corruption, the Indian introducing the private sector, is the incredulity, it was the season of Light, it defence industry has never been pillar on which this country will was the season of Darkness, it was the promoted to prosper. For a vast country transform and flourish. spring of hope, it was the winter of like India, having the fourth largest This is a 'never before' opportunity despair ...... " Army and Air Force in the world, the that India must grab and create a strong —A Tale of Two Cities (1859) necessity for indigenous dependency indigenous defence production base. need not be spelled out. While The 'Make in India' policy is likely to One wonders at the coincidence budgetary constraints, lack of garner new technologies and private between Charles Dickens' famous infrastructure, limited access to industry will now provide the much words in his literary masterpiece and technology, below par quality needed competition to the public the tumultuous times being faced by assurance, etc were contributory sector undertakings which stood like the Indian Air Force as it sees a steady factors till about 1990, the inordinate monoliths and behaved much like decline in numbers of its fighter and delays of the last quarter of a century them. This is the time to streamline trainer fleets and the government are the reason for the mess we are in. It procedures, take concerted unable to fulfil its obligations. But were is no secret that acquisition of defence professional decisions and push for the it to take a positive step and budget the equipment suffer from long gestation inventory that will do the nation proud. items today, it would still not be periods and come with the added "It is the epoch of time, it is the season adequate to stem the downslide. baggage of the constraints / limitations of light, it is the spring of hope ...... " Sometimes, one wonders if the nation, of a 'Contract'. While acquisition whether it be the politicians, the processes have been in place, however bureaucrats or the public at large, not to bureaucratic in structure, the will to An alumnus of NDA and DSSC, Air forget the media which seems to be push for an early conclusion of contract Mshl Sumit Mukerji has served the IAF swaying public opinion, is really to facilitate quick induction of a system, as a fighter pilot with distinction He concerned about national security and has been found wanting. Add to it our has commanded three units, a MiG-29 the means required to protect the famous indecisiveness, bureaucratic Sqn, a MiG-25 SR Sqn and TACDE country from external aggression and stumbling blocks and 'sniffing' for kick- (considered the ‘Top Gun’ school of the insurgency. backs and we have the ideal recipe for IAF) and also served as the Air Attaché The news nowadays is rife with delay. Caution in high stakes business is in Washington DC. He retired in 2011 articles on the needs of the IAF (Oh, so understandable but playing with as the AOC-in-C of Southern Air much concern), the competitors who professional judgments and national Command.

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PERISCOPE POTENTIAL PITFALLS OF CPEC Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, PVSM, AVSM, NM

CPEC paper 1 & II in Pakistan has areas exposed the Chinese intentions and near • Terrorist activities in Balochistan. nil mention of benefits to Pakistan. This • Interference by Western countries is a document jointly prepared by China meaning primarily the US Development Bank and National As a result of these limitations, the Development Reform Commission report recommends that Chinese bank (NDRC). If credence is given to this should not invest more than USD 1 report, which has become a matter of billion in a financial year. The balance serious debate in Pakistan, following expenditure should be met by Pakistan emerge:- by taking loan from China and the limit CPEC intends to fund 17 projects of which should be USD 1 billion per which are of benefit to China. Most year. Pakistan government must do this important is Gwadar, being at superior financing by issuing sovereign bonds in geographical location will result in each year’s budget in order to ensure cheap shipping costs of import of crude interest payment. The report clearly oil from the Middle East as also coking mentions that Pakistan does not have The dust on recently organised Belt Road coal from South Africa and New Zealand. the ability to absorb more than USD 2 Initiative Forum in China is yet to settle. The second important project talks billion investment a year. It also talks Chinese and Pakistani media is gaga over about China having limited submarine about Gwadar port being useful for the benefits from one component of BRI landing stations for its fibre optic China to the extent that it opens a door ie China Pakistan Economic Corridor network at present leads to congestion but what comes through this door will (CPEC). India and Bhutan were of internet traffic. Pakistan has total of largely depend upon how those five unrepresented at this forum and for four submarine cables but only one issues shape up in future. good reasons. India could not have landing station which is a potential There is enough indication that India- participated due to objection against security risk. Therefore, China acquiring Pakistan-China tensions will rise corridor passing through Indian an opening on the Makran coast would because of CPEC passing through Pak territory of Gilgit-Baltistan, which is address these limitations. This has occupied Gilgit Baltistan area and will under illegal occupation of Pakistan. driven China to complete the fibre optics continue to be a hurdle in the overall This is in violation to the Indian cable from Beijing to Rawalpindi (and progress of project. Constitution. With the passage of not ) first. The main reason for The Chinese apprehensions on Independence of India Act in the British the cable to be passing through terrorism have only firmed up by the Parliament in 1946, which resulted in Rawalpindi is because the traffic on this recent abduction of Chinese nationals in division of India and creation of network would be jointly monitored by Balochistan, probably by Taliban which Pakistan, the princely states (over 560 of two militaries and also used for could have had some support of Baloch them) had a choice of joining one of the cooperation in military operations in liberation fighters. The number of two states. Jammu and Kashmir joined future. This aspect is important, given pitfalls in the CPEC project is a matter of the Indian State and therefore any the growing China-Pakistan nexus in the great concern to the Chinese and this is redrawing of political maps will be changing dynamics of geopolitics in the one of the reasons why they are keen on unconstitutional. POJ&K is under region. India joining hands in Belt Road unconstitutional Pakistani occupation The third important issue which has Initiative of which CPEC is an offshoot. and China is using this territory for been identified in this leaked paper is ’s rebuttal is CPEC, giving credence to illegal the Chinese apprehension of inherent indicative of very clear understanding of occupation by Pakistan. risks in the project. These risks are:- the entire issue in the South Block. While the benefits of CPEC has been • Competition amongst political parties —Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, repeatedly highlighted by Beijing and in Pakistan for power grabbing. PVSM, AVSM, NM and Bar is the former Islamabad (read Rawalpindi), let us • Religious rivalries amongst Shias and Commander in Chief Western Naval glean at some of the pitfalls. The now Sunnis and resultant turbulence. Command & former Chief of Integrated infamous Dawn newspaper leaks of • Tribal affiliations in the CPEC adjoining Defence Staff.

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CPEC CHINA’S STRATEGIC GATEWAY TO THE INDIAN OCEAN

Lt Gen PK Singh, PVSM, AVSM

shortest and quickest access to the The projects that form part of Gwadar Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf. include the port infrastructure, an Through CPEC, which includes Gwadar airport, an expressway, a hospital, and Port in the restive Balochistan province water treatment, among others. of Pakistan and construction in It is worth noting that Gwadar not disputed Kashmir, China will project its only provides direct access to the power in the Indian Ocean Region. Indian Ocean but it is also where the Artificial islands created by China in the land and maritime networks of OBOR South China sea and ports such as converge. Although Gwadar’s Hambantota, , Gwadar, and commercial viability as a even Djibouti need to be viewed as part transshipment port is suspect of one continuum. considering its distance from circum- Before looking at CPEC in detail, it is equatorial navigation routes, low desirable to have a broad depths, and lack of rail connectivity, its understanding of the genesis of OBOR. administrative control was handed over China realised that when its foreign to China for a period of 40 years in 2013. direct investment-manufacture-export- This continues a larger trend of Chinese Connectivity is an old game that great driven growth model plateaued, it control of ports, including Pakistan’s nations have played since times would have an over-capacity challenge, Karachi Port and Sri Lanka’s Colombo immemorial. To sustain its empire, especially in the infrastructure South Container Terminal. Chinese Rome supposedly paved 55,000 miles of industry; an idle industrial and naval submarines, including a Ming- roads and built aqueducts across financial capacity available for class, diesel-electric nuclear Europe. It is China’s turn to play this deployment; and an infrastructure- submarine, have docked in Karachi and game now. Discussions on connectivity hungry Asia waiting to build projects. Colombo. With its proximity to should address not only the physical This was the genesis of OBOR. From the Hormuz, Gwadar could be used to infrastructure aspects but also the projects announced and undertaken, it accommodate naval warships and institutional, financial, commercial, can be surmised that OBOR will help submarines and, over the longer-term, legal, and management issues. China upgrade its industry by gradually could serve as a hub for replenishment International collaborative projects moving its low-end manufacturing to and weapon logistics. With an airport, it demand statecraft and sagacity of a other countries and taking pressure off could become an ideal surveillance and unique order to reconcile different industries that suffer from an excess interdiction hub. Recently, there were points of view. capacity problem, thereby reducing the reports that Pakistan has created a The China-Pakistan Economic supply glut at home. China is deftly special force, Task Force 88, for the Corridor (CPEC) is a multi-billion- converting its domestic economic protection of Gwadar port and that two dollar strategic project that connects liabilities into its foreign economic and warships gifted from China were the Maritime Silk Road and the Silk diplomatic assets. pressed into service. These activities Road Economic Belt, also known as According to Chinese President Xi suggest that Gwadar is a strategic naval “One Belt, One Road” (OBOR). It is an Jinping’s statements, CPEC has four port and that it may well turn out to be ambitious geostrategic plan to carve separate sections: energy, China’s first overseas naval port much out a combination of continental and infrastructure, Gwadar, and industrial sooner than expected. maritime influence. The aim of the cooperation. Surprisingly, Gwadar, The other end of CPEC is in Gilgit- project is to link northwest China with which only constitutes a small Baltistan (GB), a part of the princely ports in the Arabian Sea via a road and percentage of total investments, has state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), rail corridor. It provides China the found a mention in Xi’s categorisation. which joined India when its ruler

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CPEC

For example, what will happen if Pakistan defaults on repayments? Will Pakistan end up compromising its sovereignty at the projects in Gwadar, GB, and in the SEZs by swapping its loans for equity? How will this impact the stability of Pakistan? China has used financial assistance to advance its strategic interests before, including with Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port. In conclusion, what Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during an interaction with Chinese media organisations in September 2014 is worth repeating. As he put it, “Successful revival of the ancient trade routes require not only physical connectivity and requisite infrastructure, but even more important, a climate of peace, stability, mutual trust and respect, support for mutual prosperity and free flow of signed the instrument of accession in energy projects are completed, Pakistan commerce and ideas.” 1947. From this view, Pakistan has no could have surplus electricity to export Ultimately, CPEC may have a great undisputed land borders with China. Its to its neighbouring countries. Who will effect in Pakistan and on Pakistan- land borders with China are through its buy this surplus energy? India was China relations, but it does not address occupation of GB. As a consequence of invited to join CPEC, but it was not issues of connectivity in South Asia. On these territorial disputes, CPEC will invited to build these power plants. the contrary, it draws Pakistan further remain mired in tension at its The numerous special economic away from South Asia towards China. extremities in Gwadar and in Gilgit- zones (SEZs) lack transparency, and There is no guarantee that Pakistan- Baltistan. This has manifested itself in there are concerns that only Chinese China relations will remain as the form of internal security challenges industrialists will be allowed to set up cooperative in the future. This may for which Pakistan has already created industries within them. There is already seem far-fetched, but the evolution of and deployed a special force of 15,000 disquiet amongst the industrialists and Pakistan’s relationship with Iran soldiers to protect CPEC in addition to trade chambers in Pakistan as the underscores how relations can change. the maritime force to protect Gwadar. Chinese will be granted long-term CPEC poses many questions that only Energy projects under CPEC will leases at concessional rates along with a time will answer. As they say, “The jury eventually add over 16 GW capacity in 20-year tax holiday. There are around is still out.” We have a long wait ahead. energy production at a cost of over $34 19,000 Chinese personnel working on billion, which amounts to CPEC within Pakistan, and this number approximately $2 billion per GW could swell by thousands more once the Lt. Gen. PK Singh, PVSM, AVSM is a generated. About 75 percent of the projects and SEZs are set up. How will former General Officer Commanding- CPEC energy mix will be generated by the presence of the Chinese be viewed, in-Chief, South Western Command. He plants using coal. The environmental especially by radicalised, unemployed is presently the Director, United damage that this will cause in addition youth in Pakistan? Can ideological or Service Institution of India, New Delhi, to the fact that Pakistan will have to religious friction be avoided? a post he has held since January 2009. import high-grade coal needs to be While strategic and other issues have This article is from the remarks factored in. Pakistan will be been addressed above, the elephant in delivered by the General on CPEC at contractually obliged to buy power the room is the economic implications the Center for Strategic and from Chinese companies at a pre- of CPEC for Pakistan. Some estimates International Studies (CSIS), negotiated high rate which can lead to a suggest a financial outflow of $2-5.3 Washington DC, in April 2017 and is circular-debt problem. The coal-fired billion per year. Pakistan is likely to end taken from the CSIS website, available projects will be a windfall for the up paying USD 90 billion to China over at Chinese as Pakistan has offered up to a span of 30 years against the loan and https:/ / reconnectingasia.csis.org/ analy 34.5 percent annual profit on equity investment portfolio under CPEC, sis/ entries/ chinas-strategic-gateway- invested in these projects. Once the raising a number of difficult questions. indian-ocean/

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OBOR HAS CHINA GONE OBOR-BOARD?

Saurabh Dubey

being thrust upon these host countries, present form. Under the garb of the environmental degradation that has protecting investments, we are followed the development activities, the witnessing creeping militarisation of ballooning debt bubble and last but not economically important sea lanes and the least a genuine feeling of anger land routes much to the dismay of the among the local population against the regional and international powers. aforementioned issues that plague these Some geo-political commentators lands. were of the opinion, that what China is The above red flags were definitely not attempting has no precedent. However, lost on the wealthy and industrialised there’s nothing unprecedented about nations, hence only Italy was represented BARF, other than the sheer scale on by its head of state, among the G7 which this economic endeavour is being countries at the forum. The major voices pursued and is similar to what Japan had in the European Union, most notably led attempted in the 1990s. At that time, by Germany, had their reservations Japan was the undisputed economic Last month Beijing hosted its much known at the Belt and Road Forum with powerhouse of Asia and the second touted Belt and Road Forum (BARF) and respect to availing of more guarantees largest economy of the world. The then managed to earn the bragging rights of from Beijing on free trade, Japanese PM,Keizo Obuchi,had being a beacon for free trade around the environmental protection and working embarked on a similarly ambitious world.China announced a bonanza of conditions. Making tall claims of being infrastructure oriented plan across Asia billions of dollars for the participating champions of free trade and then to give its recession hit economy, countries and it was such an enticing conveniently forgetting the especially the construction industry, a economic buffet, that many fundamentals that make free trade truly shot at economic redemption. But the economically emaciated countries free and fair, is a case of not practicing scheme could not materialise in its couldn’t resist the monetary temptation what one preaches. It is quite evident totality, due to disagreements between of the lavish spread that was on offer. that attendance at the forum didn’t lead Japan and the host countries and due to However, in their noble desire of to absolute endorsement. India, which corruption allegations. While a few changing the financial fortunes of their was being greatly wooed by China to infrastructure projects did get built,Japan flagging economies, some of these attend the forum so as to provide a couldnot fulfil its ambitious dream in its countries ended up biting more than semblance of sanctity to the event, entirety, as the plan did not bring the they could possibly chew. What looked rightly rebuffed those overtures. No self spectacular economic gains that were irresistible with all its embellishments respecting and powerful nation can envisaged and furthermore. On the would slowly turn out to be an compromise its territorial integrity for downside, Japan’s already delicate unpalatable proposition, economically any amount of money or to any kind of relation with most of its Asian speaking ‘unsustainable’. threat. Unfortunately, there are some neighbours werefurther strained. China never gives free lunches and if countries which believe in mortgaging History has an incorrigible habit of an unsuspecting and vulnerable country their future and imperilling the repeating itself and those who wish to thinks that it does, then in that case they prosperity of their people for nothing ignore its lessons end up like a humbled will eventually learn their lessons the more than a few billion dollars which will student who was not only overconfident hard way. Just ask Sri Lanka, Myanmar, eventually end up becoming an but also overestimated himself to be Laos, Cambodia, Namibia, Peru, Chile inescapable debt trap. BARF also has a superior to others. Let me succinctly put and Argentina to name a few countries, deeper geo-strategic design that could in context why China is so keen on selling which are facing economic indigestion as create tensions on the geo-political this economic ecstasy to the world i.e. the a result of unfavourable trade practices chessboard if allowed to materialise in its objective. China today is faced with

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OBOR

start from the industrial centres of China and ultimately lead to the heart of Europe. The countries on these different routes act as trans-continental check points/trade facilitation centres, which also importantly provide energy security to satiate the huge Chinese appetite for energy consumption.But despite all its dilemmas as mentioned above, China should be sitting pretty as with the world’s largest forex reserves of just over 3 trillion dollars, it can weather any kind of untoward economic storm. China has depleted about USD 1 trillion in its foreign exchange reserves since June 2014 to prevent a quick depreciation of the Chinese currency. China's debt to GDP ratio rose to 277 percent at the end of 2016 from 254 in 2015, thanks to Beijing’s unabated use of cheap credit to stimulate slowing growth, unleashing a massive, debt-fuelled spending binge. Also, the capital outflows have been putting strong downward pressure on the many dilemmas that an aspiring super capacity, rising labor costs, ageing yuan, which lost nearly 7 percent last power is confronted with, especially if population, property bubble created by year, which gave it the unpleasant tag of such an aspirant is an autocratic state, unsustainable and idle infrastructure being the worst performing major Asian then these problems have an projects, rampant shadow bank lending currency. incandescent tendency to explode out of and transition from an export driven Skeptics say the headline total of control. Over the last three decades economy to a more domestic reserves, exaggerates the resources China heavily subsidised its export consumption based one backed by the available to support the renminbi since manufacturing sectors at a time when technological prowess to manufacture they suspect it includes illiquid assets there was a prosperous cycle of high high value goods primarily aimed at such as foreign real estate and private- global demand of not so high value goods Europe, the richest continent in the equity investments that cannot be that China abundantly provided. This led world. If even one of these dilemmas readily deployed in currency markets to to an expansion of industrial capacity, were to breach its great wall/façade then cushion any downward economic spiral. which wascushioned by very low wages the one party system could come under So it presents a supposedly rosy picture and a huge labour force. some degree of discomfort. For example, that has many hidden layers which may In the last one and a half decade or so, if millions who form the labour force are conceal the thorns which could come to China, flush with huge forex reserves, to be laid off for lack of work, the prick later and prick very painfully too. went on a global buying spree of the situation could become very volatile.If Once there was an American dream that biggest and the best Western companies that were to lead to a domino effect on the world so admired, now a new in the world, absorbing the best practices other issues that plague China, what Chinese dream is being sold to the world. and innovative technology that was on would be the end result?All the projects But most often many sweet dreams have offer. Not to discount the fact that China, of the BARF initiative are funded by a bizarre tendency of ultimately turning even before it indulged in its global Chinese State Banks, financed and out to be a nightmare. Will this dream buying binge had made considerable facilitated by State Owned Enterprises on economic run of China bring dividends and praiseworthy progress in the domain their terms and ultimately built by the to the participating countries of BARF or of technological innovation. Japan also Chinese labour force. The people of the will it bring in its wake an unavoidable had a crucial role in laying the host countries are thus not too happy debt trap?If we consider the recent foundation of such a huge economic and about the evolving situation as this trends, it certainly points to the latter. technological leap that China had expansion encroaches on their lands, undertaken. Presently, a lot has their way of life and fritters away their Saurabh Dubey is an avid observer of changed.The high growth cycle of global chance for fair employment, decent geo-politics and has previously written demand has subsided considerably, compensation and basic human rights. for the Fauji Magazine and Indian China is faced with excess industrial All the routes, be it road, rail or sea Defence Review.

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SINO-INDIAN RELATIONS THE INDIA-CHINA RELATIONSHIP: COMPETITION AND COOPERATION

Ravi Bhoothalingam through the capital account—the deficit in Sino-Indian trade on the revenue account. There is thus a natural complementarity wearables, health care including senior here which needs to be brought to full flow citizen care, green energy, financial for the mutual benefit of both nations. services and digital/smart applications. All Thirdly, China has already emerged as a these goods and services will be sought new source of innovation and R&D. This is from global as well as local sources. As a a novelty for India, long used to looking result, companies across the world will towards North America and Europe—with compete for a share of the Chinese the occasional nod to Japan and Korea—as consumer market. the fountainheads of scientific discovery. India has a large and rapidly growing But all the indicators—patent consumer market of its own. But our own registrations, citations in scientific companies would be well advised to pay journals, investment in R&D, the close attention to both the Indian and development and growth of scientific and In the aftermath of the Dalai Lama’s visit to Chinese markets. World-beating technological talent—point towards China Arunachal Pradesh, India-China bilateral companies have never restricted their emerging as a global centre of innovation. relations have plumbed new depths. China vision and ambition within national Already, Chinese companies like Huawei accuses India of using the Dalai Lama to boundaries. By focusing on both India and andLenovo have displaced global leaders provoke anti-Chinese sentiment, and says China, Indian companies have an in their fields and gained huge market that diplomatic relations are “seriously opportunity to achieve huge economies of share on the basis of their innovatory damaged”. But His Holiness is a popular scale. With low-cost, trained manpower technology and customer-friendly and revered guest in India, and so the and by revamping their systems to focus products. If India can unravel the business Indian government’s resolute defence of on “smart” manufacturing processes, ecology of China, the innovatory potential his right to travel anywhere in the country Indian companies can capture the prime can be harnessed for our own needs. And remains fully in harmony with popular manufacturing space on the planet. Such a this can be a two-way process. sentiment. Still, we should expect a climate combination can power “Make in India” Fourthly, China’s launch of its of “cold peace” between the two countries into a massive operation that is capable of ambitious “One-Belt-One-Road” (OBOR) for some time to come, with bilateral generating the huge volume of initiative three years ago has the potential political issues remaining unresolved. employment demanded by India’s to recreate a new infrastructural and However, a Sino-phobic public climate can demographic dividend. connectivity framework for the world, just damage our own public interest, and this Secondly, China has the world’s largest as the Suez and Panama Canals and the the government should work to avoid. investible reserves. And official Chinese great transcontinental railways did in the Because China matters to India—if not policy is to invest these reserves to seek late nineteenth century. India has so far politically—certainly in the realm of returns better than the current abysmally shied away from fromconnecting with economic development. And it matters in low numbers generated by holding US OBOR because of worries that the China- four quite specific ways. government bonds. Further, China has the Pakistan Economic Corridor (part of First, China is well on the way to advantages of both low cost as well as high OBOR) challenges its legal claims on becoming the world’s largest consumer. Its efficiencies in the area of infrastructure Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). But the economy continues on its journey of re- development. This plays well with India’s OBOR presents an opportunity for India to balancing towards consumption as the infrastructure needs which are of the order link itself firmly into the trans-Asian dominant share (as against investment). of circa USD 500 billion over the next five production, supply and value chains of the Simultaneously, as China’s middle class years. Moreover, for China, India is a safe future, and thus to enhance its global trade grows to 800 million people (from the and stable investment destination. India and to open markets for “Make in India” current 400 million) by 2022, its demand has a well regulated and developed (MII). The economic and employment for consumer goods and services will grow financial infrastructure and a reliable— consequences of linking OBOR and MII manifold. This demand will include though slow—judicial process. Chinese would be massive. Surely, Indian tourism, leisure services, appliances, investment in India can also offset— diplomacy can figure out a way to protect

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SINO-INDIAN RELATIONS

our territorial rights without sacrificing to “the ease of doing business”. Investors populous and afflicted with serious potentially large economic benefits for our have human feelings and like to feel pollution problems, so perhaps these population. welcome in their host country, and so do companies would prioritise human, social India, too, has a great many things their skilled personnel, who execute the and environmental consequences along going for it, but to leverage these to create projects. Despite our political problems with profitability. The New (BRICS) an India-China partnership that will with China’s government, we should Development Bank may be a harbinger of generate widespread benefits, India will ensure that Chinese people—whether this new breed. need to master the art of managing investors, tourists, academics, students or Once we remove our self-imposed political differences with China whilst employees—are offered the same level conception of India-China relations as a pursuing a wider bilateral engagement playing field as other foreigners. Here, we uni-dimensional win-lose game, the encompassing economic and cultural can emulate Sino-Japanese relations. imagination can take flight. We can cite dimensions. Japan is a master of this art. Despite a serious maritime dispute and different arenas where contestation, And provided the border remains peaceful, historical grievances, Japan and China competition, collaboration and does it matter if the Sino-Indian boundary have thriving and reciprocal tourism trade, cooperation can all be at work, sometimes settlement takes another decade? But student exchange and business relations. in the same place and at the same time. economic engagement with China—and Another plus for India is its facility with Non-state actors such as companies, the ‘vikas' that comes with it—can ill afford the English language. Allied to this facility sportspersons or scientists, do it all the a delay. with English is India’s higher education time. Our companies could compete, but Viewed from China’s perspective, India network. Labelling the Indian university also form joint ventures. Neighbouring is an appealing investment destination. system an asset might be considered countries could see Sino-Indian When goods and service tax (GST) comes premature, considering how it is diplomatic contests on their soil but also into force, India will present itself to the overburdened and underfunded. But its host their collaborative development world as a unified and practically seamless sheer size and scale is vast, and its projects. Our youth could compete in the market of huge proportions. Given potential even bigger. Yet, the exposure of Olympics but also explore the oceans and favourable demographics and good our educational system to foreign students deserts together on study missions. China management, this market can grow and faculty is pathetically small. But those and India share huge problems like annually at rates from seven to nine per students from abroad, who have qualified desertification, water scarcity, epidemic cent for many years. India’s risk profile is as doctors or engineers from India have a disease and housing shortages, to name a also attractive, with a stable polity, lifelong memory of the country. This is a few. Collaboration in research and reasonable regulatory and financial “soft power” that India had in abundance development could redirect energy and systems, and a reliable—if tardy—legal in historical times, when Nalanda, resources into these areas and improve the process. Its infrastructure may be under Takshashila and Vikramashila flourished as lives of 2.5 billion people collectively in the stress, but this very fact makes India a great universities. India welcomed two nations. prime target for Chinese investment. And students who came by sea and by land, to It is not difficult to set up the China’s experience and efficiency in the learn from the masters in medicine, mechanisms to make these ideas infrastructure realm make its investments mathematics, logic and philosophy. We operational. But the real change is always particularly appropriate for Indian must revive this great tradition and open within us—in our mindsets. Are we bold conditions. our doors wider to foreign students. enough? Is this vision of Sino-Indian Of course, India is culturally complex Nothing builds friendship better than an relations a utopian dream? The same could and not an easy place to do business. But education undertaken at an be said in 1945 about Franco-German the Chinese are used to difficult conditions impressionable age in a foreign land. cooperation after three wars within a and are not particularly fazed by hardships Another strong weapon in our armoury hundred years. We might well cite Goethe, that might deter others. Chinese managers is India’s prowess in management skills. who said, “Whatever you can do, or dream generally live quietly and modestly in Today, we see several Indians (amongst you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, foreign destinations and do not demand very few non-Westerners) as CEOs of power and magic in it”. We would do well to the cosseted lifestyles insisted upon by multinational companies. Recently, begin it now. Western expatriates. Like their China’s Global Times admitted the Mr Ravi Bhoothalingam is currently counterparts from Korea and Japan, country’s failure to harness Indian Founder and Chairman of Manas Chinese managers are quite willing to get management and information technology Advisory, a Consultancy practice focusing on to the factory floor or coalface, and put talent in the course of its development on Leadership Coaching as well as on their shoulders to the wheel along with journey. But what if we can now put business and cultural relations with other employees. together Chinese capital and Indian China, Mongolia and Myanmar. He is an All investors, however, need a management? We could then create Honorary Fellow at the Institute of conducive environment to conduct their powerful world-class multinationals Chinese Studies, Delhi. This article was business. This is not limited to tax bringing new perspectives to corporate first published in two parts in Business concessions or profit repatriation or even performance: India and China are both Standard, May 1 and May2, 2017.

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CHABAHAR PORT : STRATEGIC NECESSITY FOR INDIA

Maj Gen P K Chakravorty

into Afghanistan. This was followed by a In May 2016, India signed a series of trilateral agreement in 1997 with twelve Memorandums of Understanding Turkmenistan to expand trade into which pertained to the port of Chabahar. Central Asia followed by another The most important one pertains to the agreement with Russia to provide deal between Iran and India which seamless transport between India and permits India to develop and operate two Europe via an international North-South berths of the Chabahar port for 10 years. transport corridor. This will be done by India Ports Global, a The attacks on the twin towers in New joint venture between Jawaharlal Nehru York and other places in the United States Port Trust and Kandla Port Trust in on 11 September 2001, led to the partnership with Iran’s Aria Banader. The American Armed Forces along with company has guaranteed handling of several countries moving into 30,000 twenty foot equivalent units Afghanistan. At this stage, the three (TEUs) ships on completion of two years countries India, Iran and Afghanistan got and eventually reaches a figure of 250,000 together in January 2003, agreeing on a TEUs. The berths will be developed at a Location joint development of transportation links cost of USD 85 million. A container Chabahar port is located in Iran next to to Afghanistan. India agreed to expand handling facility of 640 meters will be the Gulf of Oman and at the mouth of the the Chabahar port and to lay a railway constructed and reconstruction of a 600 Strait of Hormuz. It is the only Iranian track between Chabahar and Zaranj. meters container handling capability in port with direct access to the Indian India has spent USD 134 million during the second berth. All these will be fitted Ocean. Located in close proximity to 2005 to 2009 to construct a road from with modern port handling equipment. Afghanistan and the Central Asian Delaram in Afghanistan to Zaranj at the This would result in the port handling countries of Turkmenistan and Iran-Afghanistan border. Iran has capability of Chabahar being enhanced Uzbekistan, it has been termed as the completed first phase of the Chabahar from 2.5 million tons to 8 million tons. Golden Gate to these landlocked port at a cost of USD 340 million. It is pertinent to note that the countries. In terms of distance, Chabahar Connectivity from Chabahar through investment is supplemented with a USD is 700 km from the capital of Baluchistan Milak, Zaranj and Delaram has been 150 million line of credit to Iran through province, 950 km from Milak, the closest established to the Garland Road in the Exim Bank of India. Apart from this, a city of Afghanistan and 1827 km from Afghanistan which connects the major Memorandum of Understanding was Turkmenistan border. In terms of sea Afghan cities Herat, Kandahar, Kabul and also signed for the financing of the distances the Pakistani port of Gwadar is Mazar-e-Sharif. In March 2012, ships planned Chabahar-Zahedan railway line 84 km, Dubai is 565 km, Karachi is 728 from India docked at Chabahar carrying as a part of the North-South transport km, and Mumbai is 1349 km from 100,000 tons of wheat under corridor by Indian Railway’s construction Chabahar. humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. unit Ircon International. The offer entails However, without further development providing the cost of USD 1.6 billion. This Iran- India Partnership of the port, the roads remained would enable Chabahar to be linked to During the 1990s, India along with Iran unutilised. There were issues of Iran, Afghanistan and Russia by rail. The and Russia, collaborated in backing the American pressures which slowed down important issue at the moment is that the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan against development work. In 2012, during the Port and Maritime Organisation of Iran the Taliban. The Taliban continues to be Non Aligned Meet, the three countries has not completed the application of supported by Pakistan., even now. It was discussed the issues, which finally loan for USD 150 million, despite at this time Iran invited India to develop received a push resulting in agreements reminders from the Exim Bank of India the Chabahar port to obtain a land access signed in May 2016. for the last nine months. This need to be

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CHABAHAR PORT

strategic role in Afghanistan. Currently India is training the Afghan National Army and providing limited military equipment. We are undertaking capacity development for which material, both civil and military, needs to reach Afghanistan. Chabahar provides connectivity and this in turn provides multiple strategic options. Apart from move of equipment we could plan training exercises initially at a small scale and later at a larger scale between the two armies. Such training schemes would benefit us and at the same time make Pakistan shaky about the strategic depth as we would now be carrying out a manoeuvre which operationally would be a turning movement by India against Pakistan. The same could be extended to other countries in the region.

Way Ahead Undoubtedly, development of the port of Chabahar would be a game changer for the region. Apart from countering the expedited and the Iranian authorities are signatories. It entails the ship, rail and Chinese port of Gwadar, the route would assuring that the same will be done. road routes for moving freight between possibly eliminate the term ‘strategic Viewed in the back drop of the recent India, Russia, Afghanistan, Central Asia depth’ from the lexicon of the Pakistan United States sanctions due to Iran and Europe. armed forces. It is hoped that the Iranian recently testing a ballistic missile, the • It would counter the Chinese government completes the application Iranians have stated that issue is under presence in the Arabian Sea through the for the USD 150 million loan and consideration. It is essential to note that support to Pakistan in developing forwards it to the Exim Bank of India. Iranians are slow in their decision Gwadar port. Further it would enable our Thereafter, under our dynamic Prime making and in the interests of both shipping vessels to be provided security if Minister, events will move expeditiously. countries the application would be the need arises in the region. Let us hope that this is given the highest signed by the Iranian authorities. • All these leads to the development of importance by our authorities. the region and with iron ore deposits Thereafter India would be able to extend Strategic Necessity available, it could result in a steel plant its reach as a regional power.It is As per Mr Aagam G. Shah, a political being opened in this region. This would extremely important that India connects observer as stated in quora.com, the see the region developing economically on a land route to Afghanistan to exercise reason for Indian economic and apart from being a communication hub. its strategic options. Chabahar provides geopolitical involvement with Iran is to • The other important issue is the us this great opportunity and we must counter the influence of China’s String of Japanese interest in developing leave no stone unturned to turn this Pearls strategy. The advantages that Chabahar. Japan’s State Minister for concept into a reality. would accrue are as under: Foreign Affairs Mr Kentaro Sonoura • It will provide a land route to during a visit to Afghanistan in January Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asia and 2017, pledged to develop access for An alumnus of the NDA, the DSSC, and Russia. In doing so, it will make way for Chabahar. Japan’s interest in Chabahar is the NDC, New Delhi, Maj. Gen. PK India to bypass Pakistan in transporting important to India as her assistance Chakravorty, VSM was commissioned goods to Afghanistan using a sea-land would ensure time bound completion of into the Regiment of Artillery on 31 route. At present, Pakistan does not allow the port leading to timely optimisation of March 1972. An M Phil from Madras India to transport goods through its facilities. Japan is an important strategic University, he is a prolific writer on territory to Afghanistan. partner of India and her support would strategic subjects and a NCR based • It would give momentum to the be essential in countering Chinese Defence Analyst. This article first international North-South transport influence in Gwadar. appeared in Bharatshakti.in dated 29 corridor of which both are initial Overall India is playing an important May 2017.

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OBOR THE CHINA PAK NEXUS: CAN IT BE COUNTERED? Maroof Raza

In mid May this year, Beijing formally arrangements, as it “envisages a deep and The reason is not hard to see, as unveiled its plans for a $1.3 trillion Belt broad-based penetration of most sectors Pakistan’s entry into the NSG would and Road Initiative, that was previously of Pakistan’s economy as well as its legitimise Pakistan’s nuclear programme referred to as the new Silk Route and then society by Chinese enterprises and that observers say is ‘Çhina’s nuclear the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative. culture. Its scope has no precedent in programme in Pakistan’. Moreover, over Its flagship project will be the China Pakistan’s history in terms of how far it the past decade, China has become Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a opens up the domestic economy to Pakistan’s most trusted arms supplier, $46 billion investment that will connect participation by foreign enterprises.” with weapons that are formidable in Kashgar in Xinxiang to Gwadar in Such an observation hasn’t been publicly nature, whether it is the Chinese- Pakistan on the Arabian sea and also raised earlier in Pakistan, because China’s Pakistani FC-1 planes, ZDK-03 AWACS prop up the failing Pakistani economy. territorial encroachments have been planes, Zulfiqar class frigates or a two- But that apart, for India, it is the slow and steady from the time Pakistan layered land-based surface-to-air missile formalisation of the Chinese presence in ceded the Shaksgam Valley (north of the (SAM) systems HQ-7 and HQ-16, and northern parts of the territory of Jammu Siachen glacier) to the Chinese in 1963. much more. All these could potentially and Kashmir (J&K), as the CPEC will pass In fact, even India’s objections to China’s only be used by Pakistan against India. through Pakistan occupied Kashmir, that presence in J&K have been few, despite China has in fact been steadily is most annoying. Thus, as an objection, the fact that the Chinese occupy Aksai limiting India’s strategic options, by Indian representatives were not in Chin, which is a part of east Ladakh. presenting India with a two front option attendance at Beijing’s recent big coming Apparently, there is a view in New Delhi along its land borders, i.e, of a presenting out party for OBOR, that was attended by that India is willing to accept China’s China-Pak combined front if India were over 28 heads of state and 60 top officials presence there as long as the Chinese are to militarily retaliate against another from all those countries that are part of willing to let India’s habited areas, major Pak sponsored terror attack; OBOR, a wide network of road, rail and especially in Arunachal Pradesh be with although China had failed to live up to sea routes that connects the Eurasian India. But unlike India, the strong Pakistan’s expectations during the 1965 and African land mass to China, in which Chinese opposition to the visit of the and 1971 Indo-Pak wars, as Pakistan’s Beijing has decided to pour in about $150 Dalai Lama to Tawang was a reality check plans went horribly wrong. Even then, million annually over the next decade. for those hoping that China would let India must be prepared for a such a For China, it is both a geo-economic things pass. scenario-a two front air land campaign- initiative for surplus Chinese products to More annoying for Delhi has been two but for which our forces are inadequately be pushed into the markets in Europe other Chinese diplomatic affronts over equipped, going by the then air vice chief and Africa, as also a geo-strategic the past year, despite booming trade ties and current IAF chief, Air Marshal initiative, like the CPEC, that could between the two countries with two- Dhanoa’s remarks that “our numbers are eventually make Pakistan a Chinese thirds of the Sino-India annual trade of not adequate to fully execute an air vassal. The deep strategic ties between $70 billion being in China’s favour. For campaign in a two-front scenario”. The China and Pakistan have for decades, one, Beijing openly blocked India’s move reasons lie between India’s tediously long been a matter of concern to India. to add Masood Azhar, the leader of the defence procurement process, the Beijing’s focus has been to position Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad impossible desire to suddenly ‘make in Pakistan as a counterweight to a rising terror group and the perpetrator of India’ and earlier bizarre view that if the India, an India that could challenge attacks on India, to the United Nations Sino-Indian border areas are developed, Beijing’s hegemonic agenda, concerns proscribed terrorist list, and the other then Chinese troops could quickly roll about which have also been expressed by was Beijing’s veto to India’s desire to join into the Assam plains. Fortunately, this some Southeast Asian countries as well the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), by thinking has now been abandoned. as Russia. insisting that Pakistan too must get it, But it is China’s growing reach in the With Pakistan now squarely in China’s even though the bulk of the countries Indian Ocean region, by establishing camp, a respected Pakistani newspaper, that make up the NSG see Pakistan as a naval bases around India (as part of its The Dawn, had questioned the CPEC threat to their anti-proliferation efforts. ‘string of pearls’ strategy) that has caused

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OBOR

alarm in recent years. And the OBOR than perhaps by the use of military force, banks, the high interest rates on projects would only help the Chinese to further when it catches India unawares. The have become difficult for countries to cement their agenda of ensuring that the answer therefore lies in India not only pay. Moreover, once inside, Chinese Indian Ocean isn’t India’s ocean arming its forces—by speeding up companies care little for the sensitivities anymore. This Beijing plans to do by purchases for the IAF and the Strike of the locals. Therefore, as a counter, building ports that double up as military Corps planned for Sikkim—to prevent India has decided to pitch itself with bases (like Djibouti and Gwadar) for its another Himalayan blunder, but also Japan, which is flush with funds and ships and submarines, both for force enhancing bi-lateral defence ties with unwilling to join the OBOR network. projection and to guard its vulnerable countries like Vietnam and Japan. They Both countries are now looking to invest maritime supply routes from the Gulf have both been unhesitant to look the in Iran’s port town of Chabahar, as a region via the Straits of Malacca to Chinese in the eye, unlike our pussy counter to Gwadar, apart from access to eastern China. Currently though, the footing diplomats, who claim that by Afghanistan, as a counter to Pakistan. can still make matters keeping the Himalayan front free of That apart, Japanese funding for difficult for China, in the event of a military engagements, they’ve achieved upgrading India’s own infrastructure confrontation. But that edge may not be the impossible! Passivity is a trait the within India and initiatives with India’s there forever, with the Chinese working Chinese do not respect. Moreover, with immediate neighbours like Bhutan, with alarming efficiency to a plan. the US under President Trump Bangladesh, and Nepal (even though the The immediate answer is for India’s increasingly keen to look inward, India Nepalese are increasingly orbiting establishment to accept the fact that as has to make the most of its few trusted towards China) is on offer without the China economy goes from strength to partners in Asia. stringent conditions that China imposes. strength, so will its belligerent attitude. So was their merit in India’s decision Most importantly, New Delhi has always Beijing has never been apologetic about to pull out of OBOR? Yes, indeed! Apart obsessively guarded its strategic its muscle flexing or its land grab tactics, from the fact that India wanted to convey autonomy, and that would be lost once like it is doing in the South China Sea. In its strong objections to Beijing’s you are in Beijing’s embrace. In fact, it is fact it is very good at using history territorial encroachment in north J&K this factor more than any other that has selectively to buttress its territorial (that is legally a part of India), all is not prevented Delhi from settling down for claims. India must therefore be under no well with OBOR and how the Chinese are good in Washington’s camp. illusions. China is and will remain India’s going about their business. Beijing’s Maroof Raza is a consulting editor most serious long term challenge, and it projects in Central Asia (that Russia with TIMES NOW, and a commentator will continue to prop up Pakistan to keep regards as its backyard), Sri Lanka and in on National Security. His website is Delhi distracted. And China has no Malaysia have run into opposition, and https:/ / www.maroofraza.com This intention to settle its borders India, other though much of it is funded by Chinese article first appeared in Open Magazine.

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KULBHUSHAN JADHAV CASE THE ICJ VEDICT ON THE KULBHUSHAN JADHAV CASE

Dr D. Suba Chandran

final decision in these proceedings and the sole source of State supported shall inform the Court of all measures terrorism against India and taken in implementation of the present Afghanistan. There has been concerted Order.” efforts to link India and Afghanistan as a source of instability and terrorism What options does Pakistan within Pakistan. Altaf Hussain was have now on the Jadhav case? projected as an Indian agent and First, it could go against the ICJ verdict, Pakistani Taliban was linked to ignore it and move ahead to execute intelligence agencies in India and Jadhav. Second, Pakistan could Afghanistan. The recent arrest and the postpone the execution and continue media space received by Ehsanullah the case with the ICJ, until the final Ehsan, former TTP spokesman could be verdict. Third, it could strike a seen as a part of this project. rapprochement with India, allow The campaign though aimed at a consular access to Jadhav; in the domestic audience within Pakistan, process, also allow him to seek for later expanded to convince the For Pakistan, the ICJ verdict is bad clemency and grant the same in the international community as well – that news. India has asked the International India supports terrorist activities within Court of Justice for “immediate Pakistan, and the latter is not a suspension of the sentence of death” to perpetrator but a victim. Kulbhushan Jadhav and the ICJ to Kulbhushan Jadhav’s capture and his restrain “Pakistan from giving effect to alleged confession go well with the the sentence awarded by the military above Pakistani narrative. Islamabad court.” would want to use him further to The ICJ’s verdict looked into three expand this narrative and project to the specific issues. First, it considered there international community that India is is “sufficient to establish that it (ICJ) has the villain of bilateral peace. Jadhav prima facie jurisdiction under Article I being alive will serve Pakistan’s interests of the Protocol.” Second, it agreed to the long run. Fourth, there could be an more than being executed. rights (to consular notification and extra-judicial killing within the prison, Second, acceding to ICJ’s interim access between a State and its as had happened with . verdict would also help pressurise India nationals) “are plausible”. Third, it in any future complaints that Pakistan looked into the risk of “irreparable Will Pakistan adhere to the ICJ would make in the same court. Whether prejudice and urgency” to conclude verdict, but continue arguing the ICJ would agree with Pakistan’s that “the mere fact that Mr Jadhav is the case? complaints or not, for example any under a death sentence and might Most likely. Keeping Kulbhushan Jadhav reference to human rights situation in therefore be executed is sufficient to alive and projecting him as a symbol of J&K or adhering to the UNSC demonstrate the existence of a risk of India abetting terrorism within Resolutions, it would give a platform for irreparable rights to the tights claimed Pakistan would yield more rewards for Islamabad to internationalise the by India”. Islamabad and Rawalpindi, than “Kashmir issue”. The final ruling, though provisional executing him. but unanimous: “Pakistan shall take all During the last few years, Islamabad Will Pakistan go against the ICJ measures at its disposal to ensure that has been on an offensive to counter Verdict and execute Jadhav? Mr Jadhav is not executed pending the India’s position that Pakistan has been Less Likely. As mentioned earlier,

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KULBHUSHAN JADHAV CASE

to keep Jadhav alive. Since, there is already a debate within Pakistan blaming the political leadership for their failure at the ICJ, it would suit the military narrative that it has captured an Indian terrorist alive and got a confession, but unable to execute because of the civilian failure.

Will Pakistan provide access to Jadhav and grant him amnesty later? Less likely. Given the high profile that this case has attracted within Pakistan, and at bilateral and now international levels, this option is less likely. Such a process also means a better Indo-Pak rapprochement that is also acceptable to every actor within Pakistan. Though there is a clamour for restarting bilateral dialogue within Pakistan, when it comes to brass-tacks, they are likely to backtrack. Otherwise, why should a meeting between Jindal and Sharif should be interpreted as a conspiracy? Neither is the current Indian Establishment is too keen to restart a bilateral process.

Will Jadhav meet the Sarabjit End? Unlikely. Sarabjit Singh was accused as an Indian spy, granted death sentence in 1991. Subsequent governments postponed the execution; Zardari as President pardoned Sarabjit to life sentence, but was attacked by fellow prisoners in April 2013 leading to his killing in Lahore jail Jadhav being alive will be more useful the Establishment to upset any Indo- Given the international attention politically for Pakistan, than executing Pak rapprochement following Jindal’s that the Jadhav case has already him immediately. Besides, any such Pakistan visit. attracted, any extra-legal killing would move will bring international criticism Jadhav was not convicted by the bring negative attention and negate the against Pakistan. Can Pakistan afford it mainstream judicial process. He was larger Pakistani objective of exploiting in the present juncture? tried and convicted as a terrorist by the the Jadhav case and project India badly Unless, there is a civil-military divide Establishment through the Military as a State that sponsors terrorismwithin within Pakistan on this issue in which Court. It is plausible that the Pakistan. the latter feels that there is an Establishment could go ahead without understanding between the political consulting the civilian leadership and establishment led by Nawaz Sharif and execute Jadhav. Dr D. Suba Chandran is a Professor India. A section within Pakistan allege a However, keeping in mind that it is at International Strategic and Security conspiracy with Sajjan Jindal meeting the Establishment that has been using Studies Programme (ISSSP), National Nawaz Sharif in end April. The fact that the alleged linkages of Altaf Hussain, Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), there was an immediate attack on the Kulbhushan Jadhav and now Bangalore. An abridged version was Indian soldiers at the Ehsanullah Ehsan as a media exercise, it published first in the Hindu Business (LoC) could be interpreted as a move by would draw more mileage for the khakis Line.

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POINT-COUNTERPOINT OBOR: INDIA MUST STAY IN THE GAME

Dr Srinath Raghavan

emphasise the avenues of cooperation and on more congenial terms. with Beijing. Given the disparity in The collapse of the Trans-Pacific power between the two countries, it Partnership and the rolling out of the was always faintly ridiculous for India One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative to believe that it could stare down the have already provided Beijing the Chinese. In its new co-operative mood, perfect setting in which to pursue a too, New Delhi should keep this more ambitious agenda of Asian underlying asymmetry of power fully in connectivity and integration. Chinese view .The backdrop to the meeting, as economists have also mooted ideas to the foreign secretary observed, was the channel a greater portion of Asian “flux” in the international system. The savings into investments in Asia — advent of Donald Trump has called into instead of persisting with the current question the continuation of a stable, pattern of effectively sending those open international economic order — savings to the US and allowing The recently held strategic dialogue one that benefited both China and American banks and financial between India and China provides a India. In this context, it was desirable to institutions to reinvest them in Asia. All useful reality check on the state of the aim at “a more stable, substantive, this will take time and enormous effort, play. Over the past year, the relationship forward looking India-China but the Chinese are well poised. had reached an impasse owing to relationship”. Both the diagnosis and Politically, too, Beijing will stand to China’s unwillingness to support India’s the prescription are well taken. At the gain from Trump’s attitude towards entry into the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group same time, it is important to recognise longstanding partners in Asia. If an ally and to allow Masood Azhar of Jaish-e- that the changing global context will like Australia — which stood by the US Mohammed to be placed on the United impinge upon China and India rather even during the Vietnam War — came in Nations Security Council’s terror list.In differently. for rough treatment, what are the odds both cases India had insisted that these The prospect of a trade war sparked that others are going to have smooth were litmus tests of its ties with China. off by Trump’s imposition of tariffs is relationship with the Trump New Delhi’s stance stemmed from an surely a major cause for concern to the administration? To be sure, many of under-estimation of the growing Chinese leadership. But they also know these countries will continue to be importance of Pakistan to China and that United States does not hold all the concerned about China but the from an over-estimation of its own chips. For one thing, China can retaliate emergence of countervailing coalitions clout. If the former underscored the against American exports on a range of may become difficult. inability of the government to get the things from aircraft to soya bean. More Unlike Beijing, New Delhi does not measure of China-Pakistan importantly, American tariffs will have many cards to play. Despite convergence, the latter flowed from the undercut global value chains and the repeated expressions of interest, India’s curious belief that international accompanying deep integration of record in fostering economic influence was mostly about talking regulatory systems—commercial laws, integration even in the subcontinent is ourselves up. taxation, intellectual property rights— underwhelming. Further, New Delhi The meeting between the Indian fostered assiduously by the US in the has firmly refused to sign up to the foreign secretary and his Chinese past.While this will hurt China in the Chinese OBOR initiative. The two sides counterpart has evidently not yielded short run, it also provided Beijing an did, however, discuss the possibility of much on either of these issues. Yet, New opening to reorient economic cooperating on developmental Delhi has sought to bracket them and integration in Asia under its leadership activities in Afghanistan. Again, while

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this is welcome, New Delhi should “cooperation” in Afghanistan will petulance should not drive our policy. recognise that Beijing does not really amount to very much. The reality is that the Asian economic need to work with it in Afghanistan. Instead of pursuing such chimeras, order is set to undergo far-reaching Over the past year and a half, the New Delhi should reconsider its changes. By refusing to take a realistic Chinese have been active in diplomatic position on the One Belt, One Road tack, India is effectively depriving itself efforts to bring the Taliban to the initiative. At the latest meeting, the of an opportunity to shape the negotiating table. Apart from Pakistan foreign secretary reiterated India’s transforming landscape of Asia. and Afghanistan, they have worked refusal to participate on the grounds with the US and Russia to facilitate that the China-Pakistan Economic these negotiations. Most recently, the Corridor violates India’s sovereignty Dr Srinath Raghavan is Senior Chinese have acknowledged that they over Kashmir. What matters, however, is Fellow, Centre for Policy Research, New have undertaken joint counter-terrorist not our motivations or desires but the Delhi. He is a regular columnist and operations with Afghan forces. All this is outcomes of the Chinese initiative and commentator on international and a sharp departure from Beijing’s earlier, their implications for India. Riding the strategic affairs.Prior to his academic tentative policy towards Afghanistan. In high horse is unlikely to get us very far. career, he spent six years as an infantry the light of growing Chinese activism as New Delhi is also put off by the fact officer in the Indian Army. A version of well as their deepening ties with that Beijing has not been adequately this article first appeared in Hindustan Pakistan, it is unlikely that India-China consultative in its approach. But Times, Mar 23, 2017.

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POINT-COUNTERPOINT TURNING DOWN CHINA Ram Madhav

region and beyond. The European questions and fears about debt Union has some 27 member countries; servicing obligations. Projects like this the Organisation of Petroleum one, involving multiple countries, are Exporting Countries (OPEC) has 13 launched only after proper countries; the East Asia Summit has 18 deliberations among the beneficiary countries; even a religious grouping like countries and after addressing their the Organisation of Islamic concerns. Cooperation (OIC) has only 57 In the case of Belt and Road, countries as members. APEC, TTP, SCO however, the Chinese have opted for a — none comes anywhere near the Belt different course. They first announced and Road initiative which boasts of the the project and then initiated the involvement of more than 60 countries. dialogue process with various By all means, this is singularly the stakeholder nations. It suited some; for biggest constellation of nations in the some, like Nepal, it is too big a proposal 21stCentury. One prominent nation to be rejected. India is probably the only Belt and Road is China’s most ambitious missing in this mega show is India. Like country that didn’t find it virtuous or initiative in history. Popularly known as other countries, India too was invited to beneficial to join this mega alliance. One Belt One Road (OBOR), this the Beijing conclave, with invitations India’s reservations need to be infrastructure project of gigantic reaching six different ministries for looked at from the sovereignty proportions attempts to bring under its participation in various forums during perspective. China routinely threatens sway more than 60 countries, from the the summit. The Chinese were hopeful countries when it finds issues even Scandinavian world to the South Pacific till the last moment about Indian remotely connected to its own Islands, in its land and maritime participation. But the government of sovereignty question being “violated”. versions. The ancient Silk Route is said India decided not to send its Not just China, no country to be the inspiration for this initiative representatives to the summit. compromises with its sovereignty for launched in 2013. Belt and Road is essentially a the sake of some trade and commerce For President Xi Jinping, Belt and Chinese project. Two major Chinese interests. Road is a project of personal ambition financial institutions are supposedly India’s Achilles’ heel is the China and honour. His government has not taking responsibility for arranging the Pakistan Economic Corridor, popularly left any stone unturned to make it a necessary finances for participant known as CPEC. The CPEC is seen as a reality in a span of less than four years. nations. When completed, the rail, road part of the Belt and Road initiative In the first three years, various projects and maritime routes of this project are although it started much earlier. In fact, have seen the signing of contracts expected to boost bilateral and when the Chinese entered into an worth more than a trillion US dollars. multilateral trade in a big way. agreement with Pakistan in 1963 to In a world of competing economic Where the project is a matter of pride build the Karakoram Highway in the and trade alliances, OBOR has for the Chinese leadership, it is also Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir overtaken many others active in the mired in controversy over sovereignty (PoJ&K) region, India had vociferously

FOR PRESIDENT XI JINPING, BELT AND ROAD IS A PROJECT OF PERSONAL AMBITION AND HONOUR. HIS GOVERNMENT HAS NOT LEFT ANY STONE UNTURNED TO MAKE IT A REALITY IN A SPAN OF LESS THAN FOUR YEARS. IN THE FIRST THREE YEARS, VARIOUS PROJECTS HAVE SEEN THE SIGNING OF CONTRACTS WORTH MORE THAN A TRILLION US DOLLARS.

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objected to it on the very question of India’s decision will affect bilateral a definite road map for their country to sovereignty. The region through which relations with China adversely. Both overtake all other world powers, the highway was to pass belonged to India and China have a mature including America, by the time their India and has been under the illegal leadership under Modi and Xi. Both Maoist Revolution completes a occupation of Pakistan. The Chinese work together on many other hundred years in 2049, becoming the side, thus, has full knowledge of India’s multilateral forums like the Shanghai sole super power. But President Jinping concerns about the region. Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Asian seems to be a man in a hurry. He wants The CPEC today passes through the Infrastructure and Investment Bank to achieve it much earlier. same region of PoJ&K called Gilgit (AIIB), BRICS Forum, etc. In bilateral As pointed out by The Economist Baltistan (GB). India has time and again relations, there are certain irritants that magazine, China today talks not in raised its concerns over Chinese activity have either been inherited over time or terms of the China Model or the Beijing in the region, the latest being in 2011 are a result of realpolitik. That includes Consensus as it used to. The when information came out about the China’s position on Pakistan and terminology used these days is “China presence of thousands of Chinese terrorism sponsored by it on Indian soil. solution” and “guiding globalisation”. Its troops in the region. Adding insult to India hopes that China appreciates its initiatives, including OBOR, need to be injury for India is the very name of the concerns and takes mutually viewed from the perspective of these project, CPEC, although the region satisfactory and reassuring measures. newly coined phrases. through which it passes doesn’t belong However, being not just a nation but either to Pakistan or to China. In such a a civilisation in itself, China has time scenario, for India to participate in the and again betrayed its own style in Shri Ram Madhav is General summit would have meant acceptance diplomacy. In his book The Hundred Secretary, BJP and Director, India of the CPEC proposition. Year Marathon, Michael Pillsbury Foundation. This article first appeared There is no reason to assume that suggested that Chinese strategists have in The Indian Express of 17 May 2017.

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BANGLADESH LIBERATION WAR A SURGICAL STRIKE AT SEA IN 1971

The True Story of the Sinking of Merchant Ships in Chittagong Harbour -1971, by the Mukti Bahini Naval Commandos, led by Lt Cdr Akku Roy, VrC, Indian Navy.

Maj Chandrakant Singh, VrC

along our border. Being posted there, I was loved and admired by all whom he was a witness to these acts of aggression. came into contact with. While the In one case we defused two mines that account of his exploits could fill were planted on the road on our side of volumes, for the purpose of this article I the border; they also shelled our BSF have confined myself to relating the posts regularly and on some occasions story of an incident, which though little also shelled deep into our territory. known, was to have a profound impact Agartala,the capital of Tripura was on the 1971 War for the Liberation of shelled several times. In July 1971 when Bangladesh. my Battalion 4 Guards was located in When the troubles in East Bengal Southern Tripura, my friend and fellow started and India decided to aid the officer Major Amar Singh Chohan was freedom fighters, Akku was seconded to severely wounded in one such shelling a special operations group operating incident when he and Col Himmeth under Capt Samant, IN, which was Singh had stopped by the road side and tasked to raise and train the incipient were in conversation. This unprovoked Bangladesh Navy comprising personnel Authors Note: “Lest some Pakistanis or act required a befitting response and it who had deserted the Pakistan Navy to our own very articulate left liberal was only then that we started supporting fight for freedom. They were also tasked secularists quote this account as a the offensive actions of the Mukti to carry out operations inside East confirmation of their beliefs that it was Bahini.” Pakistan. India that was the first to intervene and I first came to know of Akku take offensive actions inside East This is a story about a naval officer, Lt sometime in the third week of August Pakistan, I would like to clarify that it was Cdr Ashok Kumar Roy, VrC, popularly 1971. At that time, my unit 4 Guards was not so. Pakistan, mistaking our passivity known as Akku Roy. Akku was a Naval in Tripura and the battalion HQ was in the first half of 1971, took it as a sign of Aviator, flying the anti submarine Alize located on a hilltop in Pongbari, in the weakness and started aggressive actions aircraft. He was a maverick and Belonia area of South Tripura. Sitting at supremely competent professional who the battalion HQ, sipping a mug of tea,

WHEN THE TROUBLES IN EAST BENGAL STARTED AND INDIA DECIDED TO AID THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS, AKKU WAS SECONDED TO A SPECIAL OPERATIONS GROUP OPERATING UNDER CAPT SAMANT, IN, WHICH WAS TASKED TO RAISE AND TRAIN THE INCIPIENT BANGLADESH NAVY COMPRISING PERSONNEL WHO HAD DESERTED THE PAKISTAN NAVY TO FIGHT FOR FREEDOM. THEY WERE ALSO TASKED TO CARRY OUT OPERATIONS INSIDE EAST PAKISTAN.

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my gaze was fixed on a long line of Bengalis, who appeared to belong to the mission in Chittagong Harbour and this Bengali refugees, walking past the HQ, a same group and who were at this can be confirmed by the HQ Eastern short distance from me. It was at this moment being interrogated by my Command in Calcutta’’. point that a tall and fair man, with his senior JCO, Subedar Makhan Lal. The story was plausible, but I needed hands tied behind his back, was brought “Your game is up,” I told the prisoner, to be sure. I told him that he would be to me by two of our men who were after the men had pulled him up on his kept as a prisoner till such time as I could abusing him roundly and prodding him feet. “You better come clean.” confirm his identity. He understood my with their bayonets and rifle butts with He looked me in the eye. “My name is dilemma, but asked that his hands be great enthusiasm. That day I was Major Roy of the Indian Army” he said. “I untied, so that he could pull down his standing in for my Commanding Officer am on a secret mission”. trousers and show me that he was not Lt Col Himmeth Singh, who that I asked him which unit he belonged circumcised, and hence not a Muslim. morning had gone to Agartala to meet to and he maintained a stoic silence. As After verifying that aspect of his the Brigade Commander, Brig RN he did not appear to have a clue about anatomy, I asked him to sit down, but Mishra. The prisoner did not look too the Army in general or the units in the continued with the interrogation, the pleased as he appeared to have been an area, I asked my men to rough him a bit final confirmation of his true identity as unwilling recipient of some hard blows more. Sensing that my men were quite a naval officer being established when from rifle butts. The captors, who were keen to carry out this task, the prisoner he rattled of the names of Gilbert men from my company, pushed him said that he would tell me the truth if the Menezes, John D’silva, Manda Boppaya, forward making him sprawl at my feet. men were told to move out of hearing Vijay Shivdsahani and several other of They told me that they had spotted this range. my naval course mates from NDA who man, whom they presumed to be a “I am Commander Akku Roy of the as midshipmen had served under him Pakistani spy, trying to cross the border Indian Navy,” he said, after the men had on INS Vikrant. This was clinching by merging with the refugees. They also moved back some distance. “I am evidence and proof of his true identity. said that they had detained some returning after the completion of a secret Profuse apologies followed along with

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hot tea and pakoras for him and his men; however an offer of rum was politely declined. Whilst an armed escort and a vehicle to take them to Agartala were being arranged, he told me his story of how he and his men had destroyed five ships and sunk twenty thousand tons of warlike stores, but more importantly put Chittagong Port out of commission. This information I could now relate to an event about three weeks earlier, in which I had played a small role. Capt. Rafiq ul Islam, the local Mukti Bahini Sector Commander (later a Member of Parliament and Minister of Bangladesh), had approached me to help facilitate the entry of a group of about forty freedom fighters into East Pakistan. This was a large group who also carried much equipment and we had to devise a method and plan their induction into enemy territory without they being detected. I neither asked nor was told what their mission was to be nor asked to see the members of this group, for by now such activity was fairly routine and I LEARNT FROM CAPT JK SENGUPTA AKA JOJO, having our own work to worry about and take care of, we left the Mukti Bahini to MY FRIEND AND FORMER SCHOOL MATE FROM do much as they pleased. Moreover RIMC, THAT THE REASON FOR AKKU’S NON Capt. Rafiq ul Islam was a friend whom I BENGALI LOOKS AND BUILD WAS THAT HIS MOTH- trusted, for I had known him from the beginning of April when he and Major ER WAS AN ESTONIAN REFUGEE WHO HAD Zia ur Rehman (later General and ESCAPED FROM ESTONIA AFTER THE SOVIET President of Bangladesh) crossed over to TAKEOVER IN THE THIRTIES AND SOMEHOW LAND- my battalion sector. Since then they had been operating with us and we had ED UP IN CALCUTTA WHERE SHE MET HIS FATHER. planned and executed many missions together. Much later, I learnt from Capt JK Sengupta aka Jojo, my friend and under Akku Roy by Capt Samant. Akku of frogmen for the large part, consisted former school mate from RIMC, that the trained them in the techniques of of former Pakistani Naval personnel, reason for Akku’s non Bengali looks and underwater work and placing of limpet who had earlier deserted from TOULON build was that his mother was an mines with timed fuzes on the hulls of in France where they had gone to take Estonian refugee who had escaped from ships to be sunk. On completion of over a Daphne class submarine PNS Estonia after the Soviet takeover in the training, he had led the team to MANGRO from the builders. They were thirties and somehow landed up in Chittagong and successfully led by Lt AW Chowdhuri. The Mangro Calcutta where she met his father. Some accomplished the mission. They had was the same class of submarine as days earlier, we had heard on the radio several narrow escapes and on one theHangor, which torpedoed and sank that five merchant ships had been sunk occasion were even stopped by the INS Khukri on 9 December, when it was in Chittagong harbour by Bengali rebels. , but managed to talk their returning to base after having taken part This was done by a group of frogmen way out of trouble because they had on the raid on Karachi. The Mangro had who had deserted from the Pakistan taken the precaution of having the wife several Bengalis as crew members, who Navy and joined the Mukti Bahini. In of Azizur Rehman, one of the saboteurs, on learning of the atrocities being India they were trained like other accompany them to avoid suspicion. perpetuated on their fellow Bengalis by deserters from the Pakistan Navy by When they were stopped at a check post, the Pakistan Army had decided to desert Capt. Samant of the Indian Navy. This they claimed they were returning home and return to join the freedom struggle. task force of frogmen had been placed after a family ‘dawat'(party). This group They escaped via Italy and Spain where

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the Indian Embassy provided them that he was not shot down but crashed entrance to the harbour. In the port was travel documents and air tickets for an into the sea hitting an unusually high also anchored INS Magar, our only troop Air India flight from Rome to Delhi. After wave when he flew low to evade the carrying ship, which gave me the the successful completion of their task, Pakistani fighters. According to an opportunity to catch up with one of my they were returning to India disguised as account by a pilot of a Pakistani F 86 coursemates from the Navy, Lt Cdr. PB refugees when they were spotted and fighter aircraft, Akku wilfully dived into Chowdhry who was flying helicopters. arrested by our troops. To keep our the sea rather than suffer the ignominy PB told me how Akku had been lost; at involvement with the Bengali freedom of being shot down by the enemy. Many that time he was officially still missing in fighters secret, many of our officers and in the Navy are still sore that Akku was action. In his time Akku was a legend in men wore either police khaki uniforms sent without the protecting cover of our the Navy and anyone who ever came or civilian clothes. Khaki was also the own fighters into an area frequented by into contact with him has a story to tell colour of the uniforms of the Pakistan Pakistani fighters. In a slow moving about him. During the time he spent Army which perhaps led to some propeller driven Alize Anti-Submarine inside East Pakistan he carried forged confusion in the minds of Akku and his aircraft, he did not have a chance against identity papers which declared him to be team. Akku Roy though a Bengali looked modern fighter planes. an employee of Burmah Shell, whose more like a North Indian, tall and fair. It The news of the sinking of the ships in head office was in Dacca but the fuel is a reflection of his courage that he took Chittagong harbour was widely covered storage depot and housing colony was in the risk of operating inside East Pakistan, by the international media and did a lot Chittagong. The General Manager of knowing for a fact that he could not pass to raise the morale of the freedom Burmah Shell in East Pakistan was Mr off as a local. I tried to contact Akku after fighters, having at the same time, an Kashmullah, whom I got to know quite the war but learnt sadly that Akku who opposite effect on the Pakistanis. It also well after the war. His family were a was naval aviator in normal life had just reduced the handling capacity of nawabi family from Uttar Pradesh who before the war returned to perform his Chittagong Port, thereby affecting its war had migrated to Pakistan at the time of normal duty which was flying anti- fighting potential. This was by far, the Partition. He knewmany prominent submarine Alize aircraft from Jamnagar. most spectacular action undertaken by people in India including Nayantara He had lost his life over the Arabian Sea the freedom fighters and needs to be Sahgal the niece of Nehru.In fact, he was off Jamnagar later in the year on 10 better known both in India and so besotted with Nayantara that after a December, when he was sent on a Bangladesh and if possible, Akku needs couple of drinks he would entertain us mission to search for the survivors of INS to be honoured posthumously for this by reciting Urdu couplets in her praise, Khukri, which had been sunk by a action. My salaams to the memory of a which he had composed. On one Pakistani submarine PNS Hangor, brave Naval Officer who gave his life for occasion he even asked me if I could another Daphne class submarine. the nation but is now, sadly forgotten. arrange to help him cross the border into Khukri was escorting missile boats that Post Script. Several months after the India, something which of course I could were returning to Bombay after a raid on war had ended and the Indian Army had not do. His internment inside Karachi Harbour when it was torpedoed pulled out of Bangladesh, my Battalion 4 Bangladesh was spent in comparative and went down with most hands Guardswas still deployed in the Cox comfort in the compound of the Burmah including the Captain of the boat, Capt Bazaar area to prevent Pakistani troops Shell housing estate and my friend Capt Mulla. The Alize anti-submarine aircraft from escaping to Burma along with Mizo Rafiq ul Islam who was then the Mukti Akku was flying went missing, probably hostiles. Whilst there, I visited Bahini Sector Commander in Chittagong shot down by a Pakistan Air Force Chittagong and saw the hulls of theships ensured that he was safe and not aircraft returning to Karachi after destroyed by Akku and the Mukti Bahini harmed or harassed and even had the bombing Okhla port. One report says Naval Commandos, blocking the freedom to move around and visit the Chittagong Club for his evening drinks which he loved.

THE NEWS OF THE SINKING OF THE SHIPS IN Commissioned in 4 Guards, Major CHITTAGONG HARBOUR WAS WIDELY COVERED BY Chandrakant Singh, VrCis a veteran of THE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA AND DID A LOT TO RAISE the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, where he was wounded and awarded THE MORALE OF THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS, HAVING AT the VrC for conspicuous gallantry and THE SAME TIME, AN OPPOSITE EFFECT ON THE courage displayed throughout the war. PAKISTANIS. IT ALSO REDUCED THE HANDLING CAPAC- Popularly called ‘Paunchy’ by his ITY OF CHITTAGONG PORT, THEREBY AFFECTING ITS friends, he took premature retirement WAR FIGHTING POTENTIAL. in 1977 and is now involved in writing and speaking on environmental and defence related issues.

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IN LIGHTER VEIN THE TALK SABHA

Col Arun Sarkar

‘They make speeches and then start her face or the back of her head?’ throwing slippers and things at one ‘I heard that!’ said Carol, looking up another. It’s called a debate.’ and parting the screen of hair that ‘Doesn’t anyone stop them?’ covered her face. ‘Next question’s for you, ‘There’s a bloke in charge called the funny boy. How many “uns” are you?’ Speaker,’ said Anil, ‘but no one listens to ‘What’s “uns”’, he asked in him.’ bewilderment. This sounded like a lot of fun. ‘Are you uncivilised, uneducated, ‘Can I be a polly …?’ I asked. unruly, untidy and so on?’ ‘…tishun. You can, but my dad says ‘I’ll try to be uneducated.’ you’ve got to be a scoundrel to get sent to ‘No need to try. You already are. You It all began one evening when Caroline’s the TS. Do you steal and tell lies?’ hardly pay attention in class.’ father gave her a lesson on democracy ‘Of course not!’ ‘I can be uncivilised,’ I offered. and politicians. She lapped it up eagerly, ‘Well, you’d better start then. What will ‘Not with your posh accent you can’t. never having heard anything quite like you steal? It has to be something big.’ Wonder why your dad taught you to this before. Carol and I were the children ‘I’ll steal a train and drive it round the speak the way you do.’ of officers posted as instructors at the country.’ As a child I’d longed to be an After a rapid fire interrogation NDA, Khadakwasla. We were classmates engine driver. everyone was admitted to the TS, which in the NDA High School, managed by ‘Good! What about you, Vinay?’ didn’t speak very highly of our moral Belgian Jesuit priests. When I entered the ‘I’ll steal a plane and bomb the science calibre. classroom the next morning, the first teacher’s house.’ ‘Let’s have a debate now,’ I suggested. person I saw was Carol, she of the ‘Very good!’ ‘There’s no time. We’ll have one in the abundant curls that obscured her face ‘And what will you do, Carol?’ I asked. lunch break.’ whenever she leant forward. She was “I’ll climb Mt Everest.’ After a quick lunch we armed holding court before a fascinated group ‘You can’t! Anyway, it’s not stealing.’ ourselves with lumps of mud fashioned of boys and girls, telling them all about ‘I know, but I’m telling lies.’ into balls under the tap outside our class; “polly tishuns”. We all laughed. we could hardly throw our shoes and ‘The pollies get selected to go to a As Carol bent forward to consult her books around! I appointed myself the place called the Talk Sabha,’ she said. notebook, Anil came and stood beside Speaker and opened the proceedings. ‘It’s called the Lok Sabha,’ corrected me.’ ‘Teesha’ Raina got up to make a speech Leela. Looking at her, no one would have ‘I say,’ he whispered, ‘are we looking at on behalf of the ruling party. He was guessed that she was the daughter of Rear Admiral Samson, the Commandant of the NDA. Leela Samson, at the time of writing, is a well known classical choreographer and dancer (or danseuse, as some people with a smattering of French like to say). She’s also the Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification. ‘Maybe, but they belong to separate teams that keep fighting with one another,’ insisted Carol. ‘The teams are called parties,’ said Jatinder mildly. ‘Will you kindly stop interrupting?’ ‘But what do they do there?’ I asked.

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quickly shouted down. Jatinder rose to me. the hint of a smile playing on her lips, reply. He couldn’t get beyond a couple of ‘Were you responsible for all this?’ ‘but I’ll drop in one of these days. I sentences amid boos and catcalls. ‘No, teacher, I was only the Speaker, so haven’t met your mother for a long time.’ ‘Alright, you asked for it,’ he yelled and no one listened to me,’ I replied smugly. Then she got on her scooter, waved hurled the first missile. ‘What about the girls?’ she asked, cheerily at me and rode off. Within seconds, there was looking pointedly at Carol. Crumbs! So it was a suspended pandemonium as pieces of mud whizzed ‘Please, teacher,’ said Vinay loyally, sentence. across the room. The boys were soon ‘they had nothing to do with it.’ A week passed with no sign of Mrs bespattered with sticky dirt; the floor and ‘So it would seem,’ said Mrs Millan, Millan on our doorstep. I began to relax. walls were in no better shape. The girls taking in their relatively clean Then my parents informed me a few days had wisely ducked under their desks. appearance. ‘Alright girls, out!’ later that the Millans had invited them to Time flew as we gave ourselves up to the The girls gratefully shuffled out of the dinner. joys of the ‘debate’. We only came to our room. ‘Will you be talking a lot with teacher?’ senses when the bell went for the end of ‘As for you lot,’ she said addressing the I asked my father. the lunch break, by when it was too late boys, ‘run off to the gardener’s shed, pick ‘I daresay we shall,’ he said, giving me to repair the damage we had done. We up all the mops and brooms you can find an odd look. ‘Why do you ask?’ braced ourselves for the English class. and get back here sharpish!’ ‘Er … I mean, she has to talk a lot in Our English teacher was an attractive We were back in no time, followed by school, so she might want to rest at home young Anglo Indian lady called Mrs the outraged gardener who thought he by keeping quiet.’ Millan. She was the wife of a naval officer, was being robbed of the tools of his trade. ‘Indeed! Have you been up to who happened to be in the same We entered the classroom with the anything in her class?’ squadron as my father. Mrs Millan was gardener hot on our heels. He too was ‘N … no!’ the sporty type and could frequently be rendered speechless by what he saw. ‘You seem to forget they’ve asked us seen in the swimming pool, the gym and Without a word, he joined in the work of on a Sunday.’ the tennis courts. She liked to wear cleaning up the mess. Mrs Millan sat at Golly, I had forgotten! Western clothes, which showed off her her desk and fumed, but as the room On the following Monday I woke to trim figure to great advantage. They also slowly returned to its original state she find Mummy, hands behind her back, made her look more like a high school began to relax. Once everything was back smiling down at me. adolescent than an officer’s wife. The girls to normal, the gardener collected his ‘Mrs Millan talked a lot about you last in my class used to go into raptures over belongings and left. Mrs Millan started evening.’ her milky white skin, while the boys the lesson as though nothing had ‘Mummy, she doesn’t like me. I can pretended not to care. In those days happened. explain everything. I didn’t …’ many Anglo Indians were very fair After the last period, I swung my ‘What are you talking? She likes you complexioned. Sadly, most of them have satchel over my shoulder and began to very much and she’s sent you this.’ since migrated to Australia (where they walk home. When I neared the bicycle Her hands came forward in a flourish, benefited from the then “Whites only” shed, a swish of clothing and a whiff of bearing a tin of Black Magic chocolates! immigration policy) and to England. But perfume alerted me to the presence of ‘Mrs Millan said that you came first in for all her girlish looks, Mrs Millan meant Mrs Millan walking beside me. Saturday’s spelling test. This is one of the business. She was a strict disciplinarian ‘I shall be coming round this evening tins sent her by her relations in England. and an excellent teacher. to meet your parents,’ she said. She is very happy with you.’ As she entered the classroom we I froze in my tracks. I couldn’t believe it, but it was true. hastily took our places and hoped for the ‘Er…teacher, won’t you be going Later that day, as I shared the best. Mrs Millan strode quickly into the swimming? chocolates with my brothers, Bonny said: classroom and sat down at her table. She ‘No.’ ‘Yummy stuff!’ looked up at us with a smile that quickly ‘The gym… or tennis, perhaps?’ I ‘Your English teacher is a smashing changed into a look of horror. asked hopefully. girl!’ said Caesar ‘What… who…’ she spluttered, Mrs Millan got down on one knee and ‘Show some respect,’ I said. ‘She’s a momentarily losing the power of speech. gripped my shoulders.‘What a rude little lady.’ ‘Please, teacher, we were trying to run boy you are!’ she said. ‘Don’t you want me ‘Sorry, but it’s not my fault that she the country,’ said Teesha. to come to your house?’ looks like one of the senior schoolgirls.’ ‘I see. Don’t you think the politicians ‘No, no… I mean yes, yes… please do Since that day, I have almost never create enough havoc by themselves? Do come, teacher… any time you like…’ made a spelling mistake. you have to help them?’ She released me and stood up. Col Arun Sarkar is a veteran army Then, hands on hips, she rounded on ‘Alright, I shan’t come today,’ she said, officer based in Secunderabad.

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DEFENCE ALERT ‘MISSING MAN’ FLYPAST

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, led a four aircraft, MiG-21 ‘Missing Man’ formation flypast on 27 May 2017, at AF Station Bathinda, to honour the valour and supreme sacrifice of Kargil martyrs. The 'Missing Man' flypast is an aerial salute accorded to honour the ‘fallen comrades-in-arms’. The Arrow Formation of MiG-21 Bison, with a gap between two aircraft in the formation depicted the ‘Missing Man’. Later, in a simple ceremony, the Air Chief laid a wreath at the Memorial to honour the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. On this day in 1999, Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja VrC (Posthumous) attained martyrdom during Kargil conflict. He was at that time the Flight Commander of the Squadron. Mrs. Alka Ahuja wife of Late Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, VrC (Posthumous) was During his visit, the CAS also reviewed of the base for their combat readiness, and also present and the CAS presented her a security and operational preparedness of urged them to ‘learn from the past, practise plaque of ‘missing man’ formation. the base. He complimented the personnel in the present & Win in the Future’.

AIRCRAFT TESTING RANGE INAUGURATED

An Aeronautical Test Range (ATR), developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in collaboration with other Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratories was inaugurated on May 28, 2017 by the Raksha Mantri, Shri Arun Jaitley. The Rs 1300 crore facility located in Challakere, Chitradurga district in Karnataka, was dedicated to the nation by the Raksha Mantri and will be used for testing defence aircraft, including unmanned air vehicles. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Jaitley said that a substantial portion of the country's budget is being spent to procure equipment from outside and the ATR facility will go a long way in helping the country in its aeronautical defence preparedness.

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DEFENCE NEWS

Israel will supply advanced long-range surface to air missile (LRSAM) defence systems to four Indian Navy ships under a USD 630 million deal to be jointly executed with Bharat Electronics Limited, and state-owned Israel Aerospace Industriesas part of the “Make in India” policy. The LRSAM was successfully tested in early May 2017, aboard an Indian navy ship to demonstrate the system’s operational capabilities with a genuine target. LRSAM is an advanced air and missile defence system, a joint development by IAI and DRDO, with the collaboration of IAI’s subsidiary ELTA, RAFAEL and various Indian companies including BEL.The system comprises several elements, including advanced phased-array radars (MFSTAR), command and control systems, launchers, and missiles with advanced radio-frequency (RF) STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FOR seekers. DEFENCE MANUFACTURING The system provides the ultimate protection against a variety of On May 20, 2017, the Defence Acquisition Council under the aerial, naval and air borne threats. It is currently operational with Chairmanship of the Raksha Mantri, Shri Arun Jaitley approved the the Indian Air Force, the Indian Navy and the Israel Defence Forces. much awaited Chapter for Strategic Partnership. The Strategic The Indian Army is also likely to deploy it soon. Partnership model was considered necessary for achieving self reliance in platforms of strategic importance where competitive INDIA TO BUILD LANDING bidding is not feasible due to limited vendor base, high cost, PLATFORM DOCKS (LPDS) technological intensive nature of the system and sporadic demand. The Defence Acquisition Councilon 21 May 2017, cleared a mega This was an essential requirement for the country to progress naval project worth over Rs 20,000 crore for four Landing Platform towards indigenisation of defence manufacturing. The formulation Docks (LPD). Also known as amphibious assault ships, LPDs are of the policy is expected to give India the necessary wherewithal to used to transport troops, defence equipment, helicopters and gradually transit into the big league of defence equipment amphibious vehicle into a war zone by sea. The LPDs, weighing in producing nations and shed the tag of being the biggest importer the range of 30,000-40,000 tonnes, will be the biggest battle of defence systems. The policy is expected to be implemented in ships to be built in Indiaafter the under-construction aircraft carrier a few selected segments to begin with namely, fighter aircraft, INS Vikrant and will enhance India's ability to conduct sea-borne submarines and armoured vehicles. In future additional segments offensives in enemy areas. The ships have a huge lower decks that may be added. Ammunition has for the moment not been accepted can be opened as a bridge to accommodate landing of tanks, for strategic partnership, but given the deficiencies faced in this defence cargo, as well as troops from sea to land. They do not segment by the Armed Forces, and the recurring requirements for require docking and can easily return as they can stay in sea training purposes, this too needs to be done at the earliest. uninterrupted for months depending upon their capacity.Currently, India has one LPD, the INS Jalashwa, bought in 2007 from the US. NAVY TO GET ADVANCE DEFENCE This 16,900-tonne warship, can transport around 5,000 soldiers SYSTEMS FROM ISRAEL besides defence equipments. Contracts for the four LPDs is likely to be finalised by the end of the year. In the fray for the contract are Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited (RDEL), which has a tie up with the French firm DCNS and L&T, which has a tie up with Navantia of Spain.

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DEFENCE NEWS ARMY GETTING DHANUSH

The first regiment of 18 Dhanush artillery guns, the indigenously upgraded variant of the Swedish Bofors guns, is scheduled to be inducted into the Army by the end of the year. Dhanush is based on the original design of the Swedish 155-mm Bofors howitzers, which India procured in the mid-1980s. It is a 155- mm, 45-calibre gun with a maximum range of 40 km in salvo mode, compared to the 39-calibre, 27-km range of the original guns. It has undergone extensive trials in various conditions, and is now in the final leg of battery trials, which are likely to be completed by end July. The Army has placed an initial order for 114 guns. The first regiment of 18 guns will be inducted this year, another 36 guns will be inducted in 2018 and the remainder guns in 2019. This will equip five artillery regiments. With a range of 40 km and a high angle of attack, it is suitable for deployment in all terrain as obtaining on India’s borders. It is a 155- mm, 45-calibre gun with a maximum range of 40 km in salvo mode, compared to the 39-calibre, 27-km range of the original guns. The gun is 80 percent indigenous, and is manufactured by the ordnance factory in Jabalpur.

WOMEN TO GET COMBAT ROLES The Indian Army is all set to open up combat positions for women, a gender barrier broken by only a few countries globally. Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat said the process to allow women in combat role is under consideration and initially, women will be recruited for positions in military police. As of now, women are allowed in a number of select areas, including in medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings of the Army, but combat roles are kept off limit for them due to operational concerns and logistical issues. Gen Rawat also TEJAS TEST FIRES MISSILE said that he was ready to Tejas, the Light Combat Aircraft successfully demonstrated an Air- recruit women as jawans to-Air Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile firing capability by and the matter is being releasing Derby Air-to-Air BVR missile in RADAR guided mode on 12 taken up with the May 2017. The missile launch was performed in Lock ON after government. He said Launch mode for a BVR target in the look down mode and the target women will have to show was destroyed. The objective of the test was to assess the Derby grit and strength in taking integration with aircraft systems on-board Tejas including the up challenges in combat aircraft avionics, fire-control radar, launchers and Missile Weapon role and shattering the Delivery System and to verify its performance. The test was glass ceiling. conducted on a Manoeuvrable Aerial Target at the Interim Test Earlier, the IAF created history by inducting three women as Range (ITR), Chandipur. The sensors at ITR also tracked the target fighter pilots, less than a year after the government decided to open and missile. A safe separation was followed by missile guidance the fighter stream for women on an experimental basis. A decision towards RADAR acquired target. The flawless launch was on having women as fighter pilots will be taken after evaluating demonstrated with all on-board systems performing satisfactorily performance of the three women— Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana and the missile scored a direct hit on the target with complete Kanth and Mohana Singh—who are now part of fighter squadron. destruction of it. The test firing achieved all its planned objectives. The Navy too is deliberating on a policy on having women onboard The Derby firing is a major step towards clearing BVR capabilities ships. It allows women in legal, logistics, naval architecture and on LCA aircraft for FOC. engineering departments.

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DEFENCE NEWS

17 Officers and men (serving and retired) were awarded Police Medal for Meritorious Service. Welcoming all to the occasion, DG BSF, Shri KK Sharma first paid rich tribute to the martyrs of the Force who gave supreme sacrifice on the altar of duty, serving the motherland. He said that BSF remains in constant endeavour of preparing itself in terms of strategy, infrastructure, weaponry and training and is carrying out relentless vigil along the borders. Amongst the proud award winners were Constable Daljeet Singh, who was honoured with Prime Ministers Life saving Award and Constable Harendra Singh who despite losing a limb, opted for cycling as sport and recently won Bronze medal in 6th Asian Para cyclist rally. Constable Harender Singh is the first Paracyclist from CAPF to win a medal in the TOP OF THE WORLD supplementary oxygen. These four competition. A team of four Indian Army personnel mountaineers are Kunchok Tenda, Kelshang Honouring the Bordermen, Shri Rajnath created history, when, on 21 May 2107, Dorjee Bhutia, Kalden Panjur and Sonam Singh said that Border Security Force is the they successfully scaled Mount Everest Phuntsok. Another three climbers, Urgyen first “WALL” of Defence for our country. without using oxygen cylinders. This is the Topgye, Ngwang Gelek and Karma Zopa Saluting the bravery of BSF men, the Home first instance when any team has also successfully climbed Mount Everest Minister said that along with Army, the credit succeeded in climbing Mount Everest with the support of supplementary oxygen. for the decreased infiltration across LC/IB without supplementary oxygen. However, goes to BSF also. the feat has been accomplished by climbers 15th BSF INVESTITURE on an individual basis. CEREMONY 2017 BULLET PROOF JACKET Speaking on the occasion, Col Vishal In a glittering ceremony at Plenary Hall, A bullet-proof jacket designed by Bengali Dubey, leader of the Snow Lion Everest Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, 29 BSF scientist Professor Shantanu Bhowmick has Expedition 2017, said that they had formed personnel were awarded with medals and finally received the government’s approval. a team of 10 people with the aim to scale honour by Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath The empowered committee of the Ministry the Everest without using oxygen cylinder, Singh. Of these, 12 members of the BSF of Defence approved the jacket, which is of which four members eventually were decorated with Police medals for made from indigenous ultra modern succeeded in getting to the summit without Gallantry (including 02 posthumously) and lightweight thermoplastic technology. It will be included in the Prime Minister’s ‘Make in India’ project. The task of manufacturing the jackets will begin after the PMO gives it the green-light.A joint collaboration between the DRDO and defence ministry, this is the first time in 70 years that the Indian Army will have bullet-proof jacket manufactured completely through indigenous technology.Currently, India spends Rs 1.5 lakh on a single jacket used by the military and para-military forces, which are imported from America. Dr Bhowmick’s jacket will cost only Rs 50,000 per jacket, which will result in a net saving of Rs 20,000 crore. The present bullet proof jackets being used by our jawans in the Army, and by police personnel in BSF, CRPF and state police forces.

[email protected] >> April - May 2017 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 35 36-Raisina_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 6/14/2017 11:23 AM Page 1

RAISINA HILL DEMOLISH THE SEPARATISTS NETWORK AND SHUN APOLOGISTS Lt Col Anil Bhat found in Harmain area of Shopian the next morning. While it is not shocking that in an environment poisoned by hate spread painstakingly by Kashmiri separatists On April 9, in Budgam, ITBP and J&K controlled by Pakistan army/Inter Services Intelligence, Fayaz police personnel were guarding a polling was targeted for joining the Indian Army, what is shocking is booth. When the polling was almost that stone-pelters did not even spare Fayaz's funeral over, a mob of about 900 stone pelters procession.Terrorists and their supporters are intimidating attacked these personnel. There were young Kashmiris wanting to join the Army, police or security only 9 security personnel to guard the forces. Over 1000/up to 1300 have been repeatedly defying polling booth versus a mob of 900. ITBP separatists diktats and coming for recruitment in these very personnel realised that they would not days of stone and petrol-bomb pelting. A video of one of them be able to get out alive unless they did being tonsured was widely aired. Many Jammu and Kashmir something. They sent out a SOS message police personnels' homes have been raided by terrorists/their to the Army, which immediately sent in a quick reaction team supporters to threaten them for discharging their duties. (QRT) with one jeep and one bus. When the QRT arrived, they Separatists have also issued diktats against sending too realised that it would be difficult to face a mob of 900. children to Army's Goodwill schools, which could not be Major Leetul Gogoi, the commander of the QRT, realising that burnt and where students have been faring well, accusing it would be a bad idea to open fire at the mob and that these schools of compromising 'Kashmiriyat', which actually rescuing the men inside is what was important, caught hold is being killed by Pakistan supported Kashmiri terrorists of of one Kashmiri stone pelters, tied him on to the jeep and Hizbul Mujahideen and the separatists, who are not even drove past the mob of 900. Not only did they go in, they saved sparing their own fellow Kashmiris. the nine ITBP and J&K police personnel, and managed to On the separatists, there is no dearth of evidences of their come out alive. treacherous activities. One of them, Naeem Khan has had the Although J&K Police reportedly registered a FIR against temerity to boast of forgetting how many Kashmiri Pandits he unnamed Army persons, after many media visuals aired killed after killing 25. Dangerous terrorists have been able to showing Kashmiri youth throwing stones and heckling and escape owing to active assistance of youth, including girls, assaulting CRPF personnel who have been exercising much paid to pelt stones, petrol bombs and threatening to even restraint, public revulsion against rioting Kashmiris is rising. throwing acid on security forces. Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi did not mince his words in It is now high time that New Delhi jettisons the politics of media, when he stated: “The recent report about a stone appeasing traitors/anti-nationals and instead meaningfully pelter tied to an Army vehicle, it helped contain stone pelters demolishes the entire separatists network. Because no matter and saved the poll officials”. Despite apologists/peaceniks/ how many cross-border strikes or bombardments are human rights activists crying foul, the Army Chief bestowed undertaken, they will only affect Pak army and not the his Commendation on Gogoi, whose action has been process of radicalising/poisoning the minds of. The districts commended by many. contaminated/commandeered by Pakistani and Kashmiri Hailing from the troubled Kulgam district, 22 year old (Hizbul Mujahideen) terrorists must be cleansed effectively Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz, the son of an apple grower, was a and equally important, stop FIRs against Army and classic example of a young Kashmiri boy who aspired to do constabularies. well in life and in his case, by joining the Army. Selected for the National Defence Academy, where he excelled in studies and sports, he was commissioned into the Rajputana Rifles in December 2016 and posted to its 2nd Battalion deployed in Akhnoor. On May 9, 2017, while on his first leave since being commissioned,to attend a marriage in the family, he was abducted by terrorists from his relative's house in Kulgam town and his bullet-riddled body was

36 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << April - May 2017 << [email protected] 37-Baldev_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 6/14/2017 11:23 AM Page 1

VETERANS ALERT IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR VETERANS Hony Capt Baldev Singh

NEW WEB SITE FOR RETIRED AFMS IMPORTANT WEBSITES OFFICERS There are a No of websites dealing with issues concerning our DGAFMS Web Site titled ‘Retired AFMS Forum’ veterans, which can be used for guidance. Important websites has been uploaded on NIC web portal. This addresses as follows: website specially designed for Retired Officers http://desw.gov.in of Armed Forces Medical Services can now be http://www.dgrindia.com/jobs_exservicemen.html accessed at http://exafms.gov.in. The web site http://www.dgrindia.com/directorate/kendriya.html aims to enhance interactivity and responsiveness between retired http://ex-servicemenwelfare.blogspot.in AFMS officers, the AFMS and various placement organisations in http://echspress.utiitsl.com public and private sector for their ‘Second Career’ post http://www.iesm.org/index.htm retirement. Institutions/Hospitals/Placement organisations http://indianexserviceman.blogspot.in/2012/11/message-from- looking to employ retired officers of Armed Forces Medical chairman-iesm.html Service can log on to http://exafms.gov.in and register themselves http://www.gconnect.in to the “Retired AFMS Forum”. For more details, contact 011- http://iafpensioners.gov.in/index.php/en 26712537, and [email protected] http://echs.gov.in/images/pdf/OBP.pdf ASSURED DECENT LAST RITES SCHEME (ADLRS) http://indianmilitary.info/2012/11/welcome-step-by-army- ADLRS scheme is an endeavour to ensure that our veterans get an official-website.html honourable and a befitting farewell from the Services during their http://www.vsf-desa.com http://sainiksamachar.nic.in last ‘Journey’. The expenditure on last rites, wreath and pay & http://www.facebook.com/Exservicemen allowances/ honorarium is to be paid out of URC profits as per http://www.indianarmyveterans.gov.in policy in force. The basic thematic consideration behind this http://[email protected] scheme is that it is our moral obligation to ensure decent last rites http://[email protected] http://[email protected] to our veterans who were once our comrade-in-arms. ADLRS http://[email protected] grant has been enhanced to Rs 10,000/- wef 08 Jul 2016, meeting ‘Notional Pension Fixation Formula’ under 7th Central Pay the long persistent demand of the environment. DDG Canteen Commission (CPC) Services letter 95350/Q/DDGCS/Advisory/05-2017 dated 09 May As all are aware, the 7th CPC had recommended two formulas for 2017 refers. calculation of pension of Pre-2016 retirees. While the first formula ARMY CENTRAL WELFARE FUND (CORPUS) involved calculation of pension based on a notional basis, the Education grant Class I to VIII – Rs 10,000/-, Class IX to XII – Rs second involved the multiplication of old 6th CPC pension X 2.57. 14,000/-, Graduation – Rs 20,000/-, Post Graduation – Rs 25,000/- The orders for the second formula were issued earlier and the first and Professional Course – Rs 50,000/-(maximum) for the formula was recently accepted with certain modification. Order academic session 2016-17 for children of soldiers who have died for calculation pension based on the first formula for civil in harness and have passed in all subjects. Application forms can pensioners who retired prior to 2016 and similar order for defence be sent directly to Dir (Corpus), R&W Section, Dte of DIAV, AG’s pensioners shall be issued separately since military pensions Branch, Delhi Cant-10 and there is no requirement of the involve certain additional complexities as compared to civilians. signature of Zila Sainik Board. Computer grant (one time grant of Pensioners shall be entitled to receive the higher pension of the Rs 35,000/-) for wards of soldiers who have died in harness and two formulas. The revision shall be undertaken by notionally pursuing graduation/professional courses. Wards of battle fixing the pay in the pay matrix recommended by 7th CPC in the casualty should apply for full reimbursement of education grant level corresponding to the pay in the pay scale/pay band and to Ceremonial & Welfare Directorate (CW-3), AG’s Branch, IHQ of grade pay at which such pensioners had retired (for pension) or MoD (Army), 206G, South Block, DHQ PO New Delhi-11. Mobility died (for family pension). This will be done by notional pay equipment for soldiers disabled in service (Only fixation under each intervening Pay Commission based on the Amputee/Paraplegic/Tetraplegic/Quadriplegic or requires formula for revision of pay. support for walking) and a grant of Rs 40,000/- for modification of Delay in first Payment of Pensionary Awards and Revised bathroom (wheel chair bound only). Marriage of daughters of Pension after issue of Initial Corrigendum PPOs Soldiers who have died in harness and war disabled soldiers (Rs Revised pension after issue of corrigendum PPOs also needs to be 1,00,000/-) Remarriage of widows of soldiers who have died in paid expeditiously by completing necessary action at the end of harness (Rs 1,00,000/-). Marriage of orphan son (Rs 1,00,000/-). ROs and PDAs. All ROs and PDAs are advised that to avoid delay Education grant for widows of battle casualties (fatal) and in dispatch/processing of PPOs, DCRG, commuted value of physical casualties (fatal) for pursuing graduation (Rs 20,000/-), pension, pension in case of 1st payment and revised pension in post graduation (Rs 25,000/-) and professional courses (Rs the case of corrigendum may be credited to the pensioner's 50,000/- maximum). For more details log on web site: account immediately. PCDA (Pen) Allahabad Circular No. 575 www.indianarmyveterans.gov.in. refers.

[email protected] >> April - May 2017 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 37 38-Book review_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 6/14/2017 11:29 AM Page 1

BOOK REVIEW A PEEP INTO HISTORY

Lt Col Anil Bhat

Born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa, Subhas Chandra revolutionary’s military skills on the grounds that he was not a Bose was the ninth of fourteen children born to Janaki Nath trained military man. Indian writers with more of an emotional Bose, a famous lawyer and Prabhavati Devi. A brilliant student connect with the great Indian revolutionary tended to eulogise right from childhood, he topped matriculation in Calcutta his patriotism, exploits of the Indian National Army (INA), province and graduated with a first class in Philosophy from the establishing a Government of independent India, slogans Scottish Churches College, Calcutta. To fulfil his parents wishes, including ‘Delhi chalo’, etc, but many did not accept that he died he went to England in 1919 to compete for Indian Civil Service in the 18 August 1945 air crash in the then Formosa. (ICS). In 1920, he appeared for the ICS examination there and Probably the most damning part of Bose’s mystery relates to stood fourth in order of merit. Strongly former Prime Minister Lal Bahdur influenced by Swami Vivekananda's Shahstri’s surprising and mysterious teachings and known for his patriotic death in Tashkent where he went for the zeal as a student, he was so disturbed by peace talks following the 1965 Indo-Pak the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, that he war. One of a number of withdrew from his ICS apprenticeship versions/references to the Shastri-Bose midway and returned to India in 1921. meeting in Tashkent, is in an article by Back in India, Bose, under Gandhi’s Anoop Bose Advocate, Supreme Court of influence, joined the Indian National India, titled ‘The Tragic Death Of Lal Congress and over a period, his acumen Bahadur Shastri And The Mystifying elevated him to the top of the Congress' Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Angle’, hierarchy. His belief in independence by published in Law Gup Shup, which force contradicted Gandhi’s pacifist reads: “On 16 August 2015, Sunil approach. In January 1941, he left India (Shastri’s son) disclosed on Zee 24 to wage a war aimed at liberating India Ghanta that his father told him shortly from British occupation and then, after before his death about a ‘special person’ almost five years of struggle and some he was going to meet. Was this ‘special battles, disappeared, causing an person’ Netaji? Was Shastri planning to unending myth and mystery and present Netaji before his countrymen on becoming a source of paranoia for the 23 January 1966? Did he intend to invite British and some top Indian Netaji as the Chief Guest to the Republic Congressmen. Both the British and Day parade on 26 January 1966? Was he Nehru ensured that Bose and his family going to abdicate in favour of Netaji? were kept under surveillance for decades These questions will perhaps remain after Independence and that too with SUBHASH BOSE: inscrutable forever!’ utter secrecy, suppressing any facts that INDIA’S FIRST PRIME MINISTER? While the Congress government could surface and obscuring the trail. would never release the Netaji files for Three commissions/ committees of DR U.V. SINGH obvious reasons, why did the BJP inquiry and the recent declassification of PENTAGON PRESS government, initially keen to publicise files have so far not revealed anything PAGES: 174 IN HARD COVER the files, later decide not to disclose about Bose’s death/disappearance. PRICE: RS. 595/- most of them? Two recently declassified In the past over seven decades a Intelligence Bureau (IB) files have number of books emerged on Subhash Bose or ‘Netaji’ as he revealed that the Nehru government spied on Bose’s kin. came to be known. Foreign writers mostly covered the events Analysts opine that a major reason to keep the files secret is that following his dramatic escape to Europe from house arrest in they will expose how the Nehru/Congress governments Calcutta in January 1941 via Afghanistan and Russia and continued to be subservient and stool pigeon to the British. The accepted or confirmed his death in an air-crash in Formosa on book may well enhance curiosity about Bose, but will the files 18 August 1945, but they tended to understate the great Indian ever get disclosed? If so, what will happen?

38 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << April - May 2017 << [email protected] 39-40-Travel_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 6/14/2017 11:29 AM Page 1

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE A TRIP TO PARADISE - TIRTHAN

Ritu Sharma

The small MF Hussain in me has always three decades post my coming into being heard about the place and I don’t regret drawn painting of a house with did I find something similar to my dream taking the leap of faith. A fauji brat and a corrugated roof nestling in the cleavage house – Tirthan Anglers’ Retreat. corporate honcho gave it all up to start of two mountains with a glistening and It was an impromptu plan made with this little paradise tucked in the serenity roaring river flowing next to it. It was a group of avid travellers. I had never of mountains in Himachal Pradesh. Far 39-40-Travel_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 6/14/2017 11:29 AM Page 2

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

from the din of Delhi, its six rooms give or just sip a cup of tea while doing just Penelope Valentine Hester Betjeman, you a breath taking views of the lush nothing. The place is right next to the daughter of Field Marshal Lord Philip green mountains. Great Himalayan National Park, a Chetwode. Penelopewas a passionate The first day we were greeted by rain- UNESCO World Heritage. So, I would traveller who made Khagan (a place 15 laden clouds, which it seems had suggest plan a longer stay in the place minutes away from Jalori pass) her descended to earth just in our honour. and undertake the trek through India’s home. After having tea there we started The tiredness of overnight bus journey newest national park. our race with the Sun to reach the resort vanished in a jiffy as we made 800 metres Well, I opted for a trip to Jalori Pass in time for a couple of sundowners. trek to reach our destination. The while hoping that the clouds would clear Two nights passed rather quickly. But I Palachan River, a tributary of Tirthan, away to make way for a bonfire in the did not leave without saluting the sun, orchestrated a symphony with the night. The luck did not elude us here too getting my share of two lungs full of fresh thundering clouds to serenade the diners as a beaming taxi driver pointed us air and twisting all my muscles though a having breakfast in the morning. After towards snow-peaked mountains that one and a half hours long Yoga session soaking in the nature’s bounty, I got into were experiencing fresh snowfall. with the in-house yoga instructor. And my bed and was lulled into a deep sleep Turning to me, he said: “Snowfall in May. my bucket list for the next time was ready while looking at the view through the You are very lucky!” Well! What awaited with Kullu Dusshera in October, a ride to glass windows. us at 10,258 feet is difficult to be Bijli Mahadev and river rafting in Beas. One of the new options in the place, I described in words. But someone who had not thought the travel would provide has experienced a sheet of fresh snow me the endless possibilities of activities. enveloping the whole meadow can Ms Ritu Sharma has been a journalist One can go hiking, angling (and have the understand the emotions very well. for nearly a decade. An Air Force wife, pleasure of cooking the fish one caught) The next pit stop was the memorial of she is also a travel aficionado

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LEISURE & LIFESTYLE PANI PURI - THE FUN SNACK

Aditi Pathak taste and also add some chat masala and The puris are actually so easy to make, jeera powder for that extra kick. Taste this you will wonder why you have never and adjust according to how you like this made this yourself earlier! Just take a cup best. I enjoy the pani when it's a good of semolina (sooji), one tablespoon of mix of sweet and spicy. We will get the maida and a little bit of salt and knead tangy taste from the tamarind paste into a tight dough using very less water. I added later into the puri. To make my life used about 2-3 tablespoons of water. easier, I use ready made tamarind paste. Now cover this dough with a wet muslin If you are happy with how the water cloth and let it rest for 15 minutes. Then tastes, then just leave this to cool in the you roll out the dough and cut out puris fridge for some time. using a round cutter. Deep fry these in The potato filling can be made hot oil and remove when they are nicely according to your personal taste again. I brown on both sides. Place into a paper like the filling to be evenly coated with napkin to remove excess oil. Golgappa puri is an all time favourite for spices. You can chop the boiled potatoes Now all the preparation is done. All chaat recipes like pani puri and dahi puri. into small pieces and add the salt, chilli you need to do is just dig in! Enjoy the The round puri is hollow, and allows a powder, amchur powder and chaat pani puris as you like them. As you can hole to be made in it for fillings. Simply masala to this. Or you can mash the see from the pic, I like loads of water like mouth watering at all times. potatoes and mix all the spices into this. we used to be given puris in the street Ingredients Additionally boondi, cooked white shops. After adding the filling and Puris: chana and onions can also be added as a tamarind chutney/paste into the puri, fill G 1 cup semolina filling. So don't restrict yourself to any up with the water you prepared earlier. G 1 tablespoon maida specific recipe, just go ahead and make Enjoy. G A pinch of salt your pani puri the way you like it using G A little water to knead the dough this as a basic reference guide. This time Ms Aditi Pathak is based in G Oil to deep fry I only used potato mash as a filling and it Singapore. Widely travelled and from a G Potato filling tasted yummy. For the record, I ate 12 in Services background, cooking is one of G 2 - 3 boiled potatoes one sitting! her many passions. G Chat masala 1 tea spoon G Amchur powder 1 tea spoon G Red chilli powder 1 tea spoon G Salt to taste Water: G Coriander 1 small bunch G Mint handful of fresh leaves G Ginger 1 inch G Green chilli 1 - 2 G Gur - about one tablespoon dissolved in water G 1 tea spoon jeera powder G 1 - 2 tea spoon Chaat masala G Salt Ready to use tamarind paste / chutney Recipe: Start with preparing the water. Blend the coriander, mint, ginger and chilli with some water. Strain into a pot and add gur dissolved in water. Add 3-4 glasses of water to this to dilute. Add salt to your

[email protected] >> April - May 2017 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 41 42-Maroof_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 6/14/2017 11:33 AM Page 1

MAROOF’S MUSINGS

America had, at least since World War II chosen to lead the free world, by alliances and by putting its weight behind key issues that had divided the world. With US President’s having enormous constitutional powers in foreign affairs and the military clout to take a decisive stand, the US sometimes even went in with just a ‘coalition of the willing’ like it did in the second Gulf War, to confront a rival. Being in deep trouble already at home, about Russian influence in his election victory, Mr Trump initially chose to ordering the bombing of Mosul and Syria — that killed a few hundred civilians — and then dropped the ‘mother of all bombs’ in an already wounded Afghanistan. And if that wasn’t enough, pressurise North Korea, through naval exercises that created a serious war scare in east Asia. And if that didn’t still endear him to the American people entirely — since rarely has the US been so strongly divided, as it is now, between those that want Washington to shoulder global responsibility and those that want the US to look inwards — President Trump decided that on his first official trip abroad, he must get the rich Arab rulers to pour money into the US economy, to ‘make America great’ again! And so, for a half a trillion dollars plus price tag Maroof Raza — $350 billion for arms purchases over a decade and another $160 billion in infrastructure funding — he announced his support for a Saudi led Sunni GCC alliance that initially alienated Iran further and then created a crisis when they all boycotted and sanctioned Qatar. With Mr Trump having abandoned the NEED TO policy of his predecessors of the US not getting entangled in West Asian conflicts, the long term implications of which is still being calculated by REALIGN OUR experts, in India and abroad, as the region remains the world’s energy hub. Thus enthused with such lucrative deals — being a businessman and a deal maker more than a political leader — Trump marched into Europe (via Israel) COMPASS? to meet America’s long standing NATO alliance partners at Brussels, for the first time. But instead of good word for their support to the US, (specially in Afghanistan and Iraq) to everyone’s surprise he abandoned talk of loftier goals and instead asked them to increase their defence budgets to pay more for their security! And if this wasn’t shocking enough, despite all the efforts by the G7 countries to keep the US inside the Paris climate accord, the US President’s announcement at a grand Rose garden event, just after the G-7 summit that America will pull out of the Paris climate accord, left many European countries speechless. Mr Trump had thus cleared the ground for Russia and China to take up the leaders mantle in place of America. But his actions have not only created tremors in world forums, but also great concern in New Delhi, as his accusation that India had taken ‘billions and billions of dollars’ to participate in the Climate Accord, left South Block in a spot, until both the Indian Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister openly rejected Mr Trump’s claims, as baseless and wrong. Coming as it does just before Mr Modi’s planned trip to Washington in June, India’s diplomats are working hard to prevent a disaster. Compare his antics with that of the calculated postures of President Putin and China’s Xi Jinping and it seems that the American days as the world’s most influential power centre are now numbered. Mr Trump’s knee-jerk reactions on key issues despite his team of some rather capable advisers, is likely to create considerable confusion in the world. The question for India would be: “with its strategic partnership with the US having only had partial success, and one that had left Moscow peeved, what will now be Delhi’s choices, more so with the China-Pak nexus becoming stronger by the day”? For more details on Maroof Raza, visit: https:/ / www.maroofraza.com.

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BESALUTE AHAS PUBLISHEDPART A NUMBEROF SALUTE OF SPECIAL ISSUES, COMPLETELY FOCUSED ON A THEME OR A REGIMENT

GETSALUTE WELCOMESIN TOUCH! QUERIES FOR A SPECIAL ISSUE. FOR MORE DETAILS PLEASE EMAIL US AT [email protected] or visit www.salute.co.in and www.saluteindia.org 44-Back Page AD_00_COVER_1.qxd 6/14/2017 11:21 AM Page 1

RNI Registration: DELENG/2008/26923