Modernising the Army’s Tactical-level Communications Systems The new optical fibre network being laid as an alternative to the 3G spectrum surrendered by the armed forces will go a long way in providing modern land-line communications in peace stations and to limited extent up to the war-time locations of higher formation HQ. Gurmeet Kanwal February 14, 2014 IDSA Comments
What is choking the Indian defence budget? Projecting a demand which cannot be met is as pointless as allocating budget that is barely sufficient to sustain the armed forces and other departments of the MoD. The persistent neglect of this aspect of defence management is taking its toll not only on the stock of ammunition held by the armed forces, notably the Army, but also on serviceability levels of the equipment. Amit Cowshish February 14, 2014 IDSA Comments
Drugs and the Golden Triangle: Renewed Concerns for Northeast India India’s security strategy for the economic corridors and connectivity will have to entail water tight anti-drugs control measures and mechanisms to snuff out the possibilities of surges in narcotics trafficking that may result from better connectivity and established networks of peoples across the region. Namrata Goswami February 10, 2014 IDSA Comments
Army’s Ingenious Frontier Diplomacy To reshape public confidence further, the Union Home Ministry should quickly address the long festering issue of redeploying at least one regiment of the sashastra seema bal (SSB) in Ladakh. Initially raised as Special Service Bureau in the 1960s, SSB effectively involved natives for building a second line of defence against adversaries. P. Stobdan February 05, 2014 IDSA Comments
Run up to the Defence Budget 2014-15: Challenges to Modernisation It is commonly viewed that in an election year, the incumbent government is tempted to present a populist budget. In that scenario, the MoD would have reasons to be unhappy, particularly so when the modernisation requirement of the armed forces has reached a stage which is now contingent upon substantial additional resources to remain on course. Laxman Kumar Behera February 04, 2014 IDSA Comments
Where is Egypt going? With Egypt’s reversion to military rule, even if it is sanctified through an election process less than free and fair, one can say definitely that the pro-democracy tide in the Arab world is subsiding. The only success story so far is Tunisia where the Ennahda, an affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood, has shown maturity and superior political navigational skills . K. P. Fabian February 03, 2014 IDSA Comments
Realism Not Romanticism Should Dictate India’s Pakistan Policy The next government in Delhi must be open to the idea of grabbing a good deal if one is on offer. But there is no reason for India to go overboard in trying to seal a deal. In other words, if Pakistan desires parity with India, it should not expect ‘magnanimity’ from India, and if it expects ‘magnanimity’, then it should not insist on parity. Sushant Sareen January 30, 2014 IDSA Comments
India-South Korea Relations: A New Beginning South Korean President’s visit has initiated a common vision and a roadmap between the two countries based on political cooperation, open economic and trade environment and deeper cultural understanding. India’s growing emphasis on its ‘Look East Policy’ and South Korea’s ‘New Asia Diplomatic Initiative’ is pushing the relationship to one of ‘strategic partnership.’ Pranamita Baruah January 29, 2014 IDSA Comments
International Reactions to the Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh Unlike the major global powers which termed the polls “non-representative”, India – the closest regional ally of Bangladesh, recognised Sheikh Hasina’s victory despite a “record low voter turnout” and supported her in staking claim to form the next government. Rupak Bhattacharjee January 28, 2014 IDSA Comments
Maoists Look for Safe Sanctuaries and External Support The CPI (Maoist) is fully aware that a movement of this magnitude cannot sustain on its own for long without any external support; be it in terms of funding, weaponry, training, refuge or ideological support. Given India’s geopolitical location, it would come as no surprise if the CPI (Maoist), through its aggressive efforts, is able to garner substantive resources for its disposal. V.K. Ahluwalia January 27, 2014 IDSA Comments