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| Neglect of defence preparedness will have disastrous consequences | | | Jasbir Sarai | 2/7/2012 10:33:07 PM |
| The Nation is going through some testing and challenging times. On the one hand, a wide spread exposure of corruption in the political class is causing a huge dent to the image of the country and on the other hand, elections in a number of states are in full swing. The first instance indicates a weakness in the national fabric which may erode the credibility of democratic norms and the second points towards strong democratic roots. There exists a dichotomy which will ultimately have to be rooted out. It can only be expected that the Nations faith in democracy will remain intact and systemic changes will be put in place to eradicate corruption.
Despite the beating that the Nation has suffered due to the exposure of one scam after the other, it continues to be looked upon by the global community as a growing world power of the future. A sound economy and a vibrant civilization provides to the country significant leverage as a region of prominence in world affairs. Nobody doubts the collective strength of India as a Nation. The role of the Nation's Armed Forces gains significance in this surge to gain global prominence. The Armed forces are required to remain prepared to meet all security challenges posed by the dominant position that India is poised to gain. Ultimately, they will be called upon to keep at bay the forces which may attempt to exploit the internal political weaknesses. It is the Armed Forces which will ultimately give out a clear message that despite the sloth and corruption the nation cannot be ravaged by marauders.
The state of preparedness of our armed Forces has to be seen in the context of the international environment in general and the environment in our immediate neighbourhood in particular. It is a well established fact that international relations are not guided by strong and sustainable laws and regulations. Nation states continue to give primacy to self interest as against the interest of humanity and the world as a whole. This is the reason behind the hundreds of conflicts that are on across the world at any one point in time. The immediate Indian neighbourhood, in particular, is fraught with inimical designs and maverick attitudes. Both Pakistan and China are reluctant to grant to India any credit for being a non-aggressive nation, they are in fact conniving to build up a military capacity which can force a submissive posture on the country. The threat of an attempt by these powers to exploit the weak political situation is very real and very potent
Despite the fact the Indian Army has not been called upon to fight a full-fledged war for the last three decades, the Kargil war being a localized conflict, its involvement in containing insurgency and terrorism has been put to test frequently in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East. The force adapted admirably to the changed scenario albeit without resorting to major structural and doctrinal changes. Yet, the Army continues to remain a conventional force while performing asymmetric duties as addendums and peripherals.
While countering the challenge of foreign sponsored internal conflict it is also implicit that India should not allow a rogue state in its neighbourhood the freedom to export terror into the Nation without being punished for the same. Jammu and Kashmir has suffered because of the neighbours evil policies for many decades, entire generations have been smothered under the shadow of foreign sponsored violence. Ways and means have to be found to make Pakistan pay for its misadventure.
It also does not augur well for India's security policies to be guided by world opinion or media pressure built through money power. India has its own interests to look towards and these are unique in view of its geo-strategic location, its potential and its aspirations. The world has to look towards India with respect and this respect will come by only if its growing economic power, its high moral threshold as an old civilization with a modern, secular, democratic, liberal, outlook is supported by a strong military posture.
The Nation has to support its forces in the quest to meet the emerging challenges. An inability to do so may create a critical situation whereby the sovereignty and future of the country would be at stake. Historically, foreign powers have over powered the sub continent many times, more out of greed than any ideological reason. It cannot be taken for granted that the same will not be attempted in the future. In fact, now the options for creating a divide have increased, the Nation can be weakened from within without any physical intervention.
The role of the country's Armed forces has to be in sync with the national threat perceptions.
The forces need to constantly upgrade their capabilities so as to stay prepared to further national interests. They cannot shy away from attaining proficiency and capability to meet the challenge as it exists today or will emerge in the future, since, an inability to do so will lead to their irrelevance with disastrous consequences for the country.
The fact that the search for a b good fighter aircraft has, after ten long years, finally narrowed down to a possible deal is encouraging. However, there are many more critical deficiencies that need to be covered most urgently. While the politicians are fighting to save themselves, it is the Armed Forces which are becoming a victim of bureaucratic and political neglect. This can have disastrous consequences. Modernization and boost in production of indigenous military hardware are areas where this neglect will cause immense harm. While the Nation goes about smoothening the internal contradictions that have emerged from fledgling democracy, at least, the Armed Forces have to be kept in a good shape. |
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