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| Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi speaks of re-designed role for military | | |
Washington, Aug 24 Air Chief Marshal Shashindra Pal Tyagi has said the military's role has to be re-designed in the new resurgent India, with its high economic growth and political stability as in today's world, the focus has shifted from geo-politics to geo-economics.
Speaking on ''India's Strategic Environment and the Role of Military Power'' at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) here yesterday, the Air Chief said military power will become a major force to take India on the road to economic prosperity, and to safeguard its energy needs.
According to him another new role for the military could be a diplomatic role.
He said since the army and the navy already participate in major disaster rescue and relief work as well as disaster management all over the world, it could be expanded because India has always played a very responsible role in world affairs.
In this context he mentioned how the armed forces of India helped in the tsunami relief work, the earthquake in Pakistan, besides other natural disasters in Indonesia, Philippines and Maldives.
Referring to political instability in neighbouring countries, Chief Marshal Tyagi said India's democracy has been steadfast but it cannot be said of other countries in its neighbourhood. He said Pakistan is a democracy but with a heavy military influence over it. Afghanistan too is a democracy with an enormous amount of instability from insurgents and militants, while Nepal's democracy is in turmoil as besides the Maoists, the military also plays a role in its affairs.
Bangladesh, again is a democracy, but the influence of extremists elements is fast rising there. Sri Lanka, also is a democratic country, but it is virtually enveloped in a civil war, he said.
He, however, felt that China is stable politically and economically. ''Is democracy in south Asia the final road to political stability,'' he asked, adding that the ''military leaders and planners of India need to see the intentions of our neighbours and their capabilities must be taken into account.'' Although India does not believe in enforcing or selling democracy to the world, the Chief of the Airstaff said it would very much welcome if more countries turned to democracy to bring about political stability in the region. |
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