Monthly Archives: August 2018

Govt release credits minister Sitharaman for promoting Make in India in defence sector; ministry sources say this could be because ‘final version’ has now been approved.

New Delhi: A Ministry of Defence (MoD) ‘approval’ issued Wednesday for involving the private sector in manufacturing ammunition has created confusion. This is because the project had already been cleared in January this year and the tendering process has reached an advanced stage, including several extensions to bidding dates which have frustrated potential vendors.

A government press release said that Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had taken “another step in the direction of Make in India in the defence sector”, to “facilitate development of indigenous capacity”, by approving the manufacture of eight types of ammunition by private industry. The release said the minister approved “a long term contract of 10 years with the selected ammunition manufacturer, to facilitate a viable commercial model”, and that the selection would be done through an open tender, two-bid process.

However, official Indian Army documentation shows that tenders for these eight types of ammunition had already been issued in March this year, with complete details of the project shared with potential vendors. Bidding dates for the tender have been extended at least six times, with the latest being another extension until 11 January 2018.

The tender has also been mired in controversy, given that foreign firms blacklisted in India for corruption charges have been allowed a backdoor entry – they can be ‘technology partners’ with Indian companies.

Asked why the press release was claiming this as a new development, when it has been in the pipeline at least since March, sources in the MoD said the reason was that a ‘final version’ of the tenders had been approved by the minister.

Timeline of the plan

According to government officials, the plan to involve the private sector in manufacturing the eight types of ammunition was cleared by previous defence minister Manohar Parrikar in late 2016, with final approvals coming in January this year. Tenders for all eight types were issued in March.

However, the dates for submission of bids have since been extended repeatedly, as vendors have faced multiple problems, including the large amount of earnest money demanded, as well as bank guarantees required for the 10-year supply project.

Industry representatives have asked for several amendments to the tenders that would allow them to participate. Sources said it is perhaps these amendments that have now been cleared by the ministry, and could be added as a corrigendum to the existing tenders. In case, the variations are huge, the original tenders can be withdrawn and fresh ones issued.

The tenders that have been issued include lakhs of rounds of 30 mm HET, BMCS 125 mm FSAPDS, 122 mm HE ER Rocket, 40 mm MGL & UBGL, 23 mm HEI/APIT, 30 mm VOG, and electrical fuzes for artillery.

Governor N N Vohra visits the Yol Garrison of the Western Command on Thursday. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 21

Governor NN Vohra today visited the Yol Garrison of the Army falling under the Western Command.He was briefed by Lt Gen SK Saini, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Rising Star Corps, about the security situation in the Jammu region.The GOC assured the Governor that the Army was fully geared to thwart any attempt by terrorists and anti-national elements to cause disturbance and violence on the International Border as well as in the hinterland.Expressing complete satisfaction, the Governor appreciated the Army’s dedicated and consistent efforts in maintaining peace and normalcy in J&K. “The situation in J&K is gradually progressing on the path of tranquillity and development, and we all remain committed to it,” Vohra added.

Given the insipidities and banalities of diplomatic-speak, ‘do more’ is as direct an expression of dissatisfaction that the US can convey to Pakistan, given the American compulsions.

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis arrives in Islamabad on December 4. Reuters

Lt-Gen Bhopinder Singh (retd)

THE slyest foreign policy warrior, Henry Kissinger, propounded the term ‘constructive ambiguity’ to describe the language of diplomacy that seeks to disguise, retain and still suggest the actual intent in a construct-of-words that are generally palatable (allowing some concessions), yet, allude to future necessity of actions towards a certain goal. The art of diplomatic wordsmithing has been tested to its limits in the Indian subcontinent, given the irascible tempers and the evolving narrative that besets the tempestuous fundamentals in the trilogy of the US-Pakistan-India equations. In 1971, as National Security Adviser, Henry Kissinger had underlined the US position and bias in the Indo-Pak war by stating, “We’re in the position where a Soviet stooge, supported with Soviet arms, is overrunning a country that is an ally of the United States.” The cold war binaries had cemented the Pakistani status as a ‘major non-NATO ally’, and then the annexation of Afghanistan by the USSR in 1979 had led to the largest covert joint operation in history, ‘Operation Cyclone’, — the US and the murky General Zia-led Pakistani establishment funded, trained and supplied manpower and weaponry to mujahideen. Later, the end of cold war and the disintegration of the USSR ensured the selfish and thoughtless withdrawal of interest and bankrolling in the region by the US. However, the kettle of intrigues and virulent religiosity was kept boiling by the shadowy Pakistani-ISI to fertilise the environment into a breeding ground for terrorists, who today haunt the subcontinent, and beyond.Like in Afghanistan, the US, after achieving its limited objectives in the Gulf wars, left a festering trail of destruction and chaos for the germination of the uber-intolerant and militant pan-Islamism that manifested in the unprecedented tragedy of 9/11, which recalibrated the global equations, thereafter. The decades-old cold war wiring in the US-Pakistan-India underwent a sudden relook and the inter-nation expectations, conversations and transactions underwent a complete re-haul. The Pakistanis, under General Musharraf, were embarrassingly coerced into joining the global ‘war on terror’ as George W Bush threatened Pakistan with bombing, ‘into the stone age’, should it fail to cooperate. Expected reluctance emanated from the sudden retraction from the consistent Pakistani position, eg treating terror organisations as ‘state assets’ and the principle of ‘strategic depth’ in Afghanistan — the half-hearted Pakistani commitment soon exposed its machinations as a double-dealing ‘ally’. The ‘taking out’ of Osama bin Laden from Abbottabad, continuing drone attacks on to Pakistani territories and the parallel warming of the Indo-Afghan ties further vitiated the US-Pakistani equation. It led the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to specifically ask the Pakistanis to ‘do more’ and ‘squeeze’ out terror networks by famously stating, “You can’t keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbours. Eventually, those snakes are going to turn on whoever has them in the backyard.” The subtext  of subsequent US-Pakistan conversations, have remained fixated on the expression of ‘do more’, much to the irritation of Pakistanis. In the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump had maintained his line of fire, saying, “Pakistan is a very very vital problem and really vital country for us because they have nuclear weapons and they have to get a hold of the situation.” Nearly one year into his presidency, Trump’s insistence on Pakistan to change its tracks has found expression in a persistent and forceful ‘do more’. Perforce, the US has to maintain a functional working relationship with Pakistan to sustain its operations, manpower and assets in Afghanistan and within the Pakistani narrative. The expansive import of ‘do more’ within the context of diplomatic language suggests both a perfunctory acknowledgement of efforts by the Pakistanis (critical to retain engagement), and yet clearly points to insufficiency of efforts on account of doing the needful. Often, Trump’s bluster results in a brazen statement, like: “We are paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars; at the same time, they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting. But that will have to change.” This leads to an equally jarring counter-narrative from the Pakistanis who decry the American hypocrisy and selective amnesia to remind the US of its historical support for jihadism in the 80s. However, the fact that the playing field, cards and the essential game of the 21st century have evolved but the Pakistanis remain fixated to the dynamics of the earlier times, that is haunting the Pakistanis the most.’Do more’ is also contexualised to future aid as the promised $250 million in military aid to Pakistan is withheld, subject to further evidence of Pakistani actions. The chorus for ‘do more’ was echoed by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in October when he reiterated that Pakistan must do more to eradicate militants in its country. In November, the commander of the NATO-led coalition in Afghanistan, Gen John Nicholson continued to lament, “Haven’t seen any change yet in their behaviour”, and earlier this month, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis goaded the Pakistanis to “redouble” efforts and urged for the “need to move forward with issues at hand.” Given the banalities of diplomatic-speak, ‘do more’ is as direct an expression of dissatisfaction that the US can convey to Pakistan. With the ongoing spectre of a free-run for the internationally designated terrorists, seminaries spewing hatred, state supporting extremist ideologues and the still selective action against terror organisations, the pressure from the Americans to ‘do more’ will remain relentless and cryptic. India needs to reassure and satisfy itself with the American pressure of ‘do more’ as its implied context is deeply suggestive, perceptive and conducive to the change required in the situation in Pakistan. 

The body of Sepoy Koushal Singh brought to his village in Samba.

Srinagar/Samba, December 17

The Army today said it has retrieved the body of one of the five soldiers, who had gone missing last week in two snow-linked incidents in north Kashmir.The body of Sepoy Koushal Singh, who was part of an operational team and was serving at a forward post near the Line of Control, was found on Saturday, six days after he had gone missing, the Army said. Five soldiers, including the sepoy, had gone missing last week in two snow-linked incidents near the Line of Control in Kupwara and Bandipora districts. The search and rescue operations, launched immediately after the soldiers had gone missing, continue in adverse climatic and topography.In a statement, the Army said concerted efforts of the specially equipped Avalanche Rescue Teams, which continued despite the inhospitable terrain and weather conditions, led to the recovery of mortal remains of the soldier.The 19-year-old sepoy hailed from Badla Deoni village of state’s Samba district. He was posted in the Nowgam sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district when he was swept away during heavy snowfall along with another soldier.The Army today paid homage to the soldier. In a solemn ceremony at Badamibagh Cantt, Lt Gen JS Sandhu, Corps Commander, Chinar Corps, and all ranks paid him homage. “In a show of solidarity, officials and representatives from other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the martyr,” the Army said. In the evening, the body of Koushal Singh was airlifted to his native Badla Deoni village in Samba district.Army personnel of the 20 Dogra Battalion, who accompanied the body, said rescue teams found the mortal remains of Sepoy Koushal Singh from under snow, around five kilometres from his post. However, his fellow soldier from Himachal Pradesh is still missing.Mohan Singh, a relative of the deceased, said they had received a call from his unit on December 11, informing the family that Koushal Singh had gone missing along with one other jawan after an avalanche had hit the patrol party. The cremation ceremony will take place with full military honours on Monday. — TNS

Wang’s visit to New Delhi is the first by a top Chinese official to India after the 73-day Dokalam standoff and after the commencement of the second five-year term of President Xi Jinping.

Beijing, December 11

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said India and China’s strategic interests outweigh “partial frictions” and handling of the Dokalam standoff through diplomatic means reflects the importance of bilateral ties.Ahead of his visit to India to attend the Russia-India-China (RIC) foreign ministers’ meeting to be held in New Delhi on Monday during which he would also hold talks with top Indian officials, Wang said China always valued good neighbourliness and friendship between the two countries as “we are each other’s big neighbours and ancient civilisations”.He said India-China strategic interests outweighed differences and “partial friction”.“We have handled the issue of cross-border incursions by the Indian border troops into China’s Donglang (Dokalam) area through diplomatic measures,” Wang told a symposium here last week, maintaining Beijing’s stand.

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“Through diplomatic means, the Indian side withdrew its equipment and personnel which reflected the value and importance of China-India relations and demonstrated sincerity and responsibility of maintaining regional peace and stability,” he said in his speech in Chinese posted on the website of the foreign ministry.“China and India have far greater shared strategic interests than differences, and far greater needs for cooperation than partial friction,” he said.As long as China and India continue to engage in in-depth strategic communication and promptly dispel strategic misgivings, the strategic value of bilateral cooperation will be presented more clearly to the people, there will be a “prospect of the dragon and the elephant dancing together with 1+1=11 outlook,” Wang said.The references to India by Wang were part of a lengthy speech about China’s diplomatic achievements in 2017 and its relations this year with various countries, including the US, Russia, Japan and countries in the disputed South China Sea region.Wang’s visit to New Delhi is the first by a top Chinese official to India after the 73-day Dokalam standoff and after the commencement of the second five-year term of President Xi Jinping.The over two-month Dokalam standoff ended on August 28 after Chinese troops stopped building a key road close to India’s ‘Chicken Neck’ corridor. India had objected to the construction highlighting its security concerns. The road was being built by China in an area also claimed by Bhutan.Wang’s visit to Delhi is expected to be followed by top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi’s trip later this month to attend the 20th round of China-India boundary talks.Yang and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval are the designated special representatives for the border talks later this month. Both officials are also mandated to discuss the state of entire gamut of bilateral ties.In his address, at the symposium themed on international developments and China’s diplomacy in 2017, Wang spoke about China’s foreign policy outlook enunciated by the once-in-five-years congress of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) held in October.The 19th CPC National Congress had charted the course for China’s external relations. Wang said China needed to create a more favourable external environment and stronger external impetus to create a moderately prosperous society in all respects.“For China’s diplomacy in the new era, we will take a longer and broader perspective and be even more open-minded and resourceful,” he said.He reiterated that “war is by no means acceptable” in dealing with the nuclear issue related to North Korea, stressing that the possibility of negotiations remains.On ties with the US, he said, “China is willing, on the basis of mutual respect, to live peacefully with the American superpower. The US needs to understand and accept a China that is following its own path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, one suited to its own conditions,” official media quoted him as saying.He said the China-Russia relationship had become a major cornerstone for world peace and stability, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation.On the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), he said it had become “the most popular international public goods programme”.Chinese businesses had invested over USD 50 billion and created nearly 200,000 local jobs in countries that were participating, he said.India has objected to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as it traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). CPEC is a part of the BRI.On Wang’s visit to Delhi, Chinese think-tanks said RIC foreign ministers’ meeting offered Beijing and New Delhi an opportunity for face-to-face communication, which would effectively help both sides step out of the shadow of the Dokalam standoff.“Admittedly, the past months have witnessed a downbeat narrative between the neighbours rather than a positive one, but with the meeting, China and India will send a message to the world that they will return to a stable and peaceful track,” said Qian Feng, an analyst at the Chinese Association for South Asian Studies told state-run Global Times.China and India have disagreements on counter-terrorism, especially when it involves Pakistan, and China is unlikely to give up its stance on this issue during this meeting, Wang Dehua, head of the Institute for South and Central Asian Studies, told the daily.China has opposed India’s moves to get Jaish-e-Muhammad leader Masood Azhar listed as a terrorist by the UN.Wang Dehua also said persistent and honest talks between the two sides might help sort out differences on BRI.China also continues to oppose India’s bid to enter the NSG primarily on the grounds that New Delhi is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). PTI

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 9

Lt Gen Sanjay Kulkarni (retd) didn’t miss even minute details when he narrated the first landing of troops at Siachen on April 13, 1984. He was the first officer to have landed with his troops on the glacier.“We decided to acquire it in 1984 and so did Pakistan. But we surprised them. We chose April 13, auspicious Baisakhi day, and they fixed some day in May. Siachen is with us since. Gen Pervez Musharraf was a colonel then,” said Lt Gen Kulkarni. Lt Gen Manohar Lal Chibber was the Army Commander and Lt Gen PN Hoon was the Corps Commander then. “On April 12, we received our mountain gear and I was to be part of the first sortie. As the pilot was unsure of the snow’s firmness, he asked us to jump out. I threw a wheat bag to ascertain whether it was firm… With me, a telephone operator too jumped. We were told to first occupy Bilafond La.  Platoon was of 30, so 15 sorties of Cheetah helicopters had to be carried out,” he said.“We were to go to Sia La, but the weather turned hazardous. On April 17, a soldier died and we had to open radio sets, though we were asked not to do so.” The next day a Pakistani chopper spotted them. “We pushed 15 sorties to occupy Sia La the same day. We would take seven days to reach there but Pakistanis could reach there in a day. By the time they reached, both Bilafond La and Sia La were occupied… There are 70-80 posts now,” he said.On demilitarisation of Siachen, author Shiv Kunal Verma said if we had pulled out of Siachen, Pakistan could strike Ladakh ranges and India would need a huge force to defend it.

An IAF Embraer transport aircraft carries out air-to-air refuelling on Thursday. PTI

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 30

The “eye in the sky” of the Indian Air Force (IAF) can now stay airborne for extended periods. The IAF has successfully tested air-to-air refuelling on Embraer transport aircraft specialised to conduct Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) functions.A mere 10-minute in-flight refuelling can generate additional four hours of flying endurance for the plane. “This achievement has given a tremendous boost to IAF’s operational capability,” the IAF said in a statement.This will enable the aircraft to fly for longer durations beyond its stated endurance. It is also the first time that air-to-air refuelling has been carried out on the Embraer platform.The technique requires exceptional flying skills from the pilot. Most fighter jets in the IAF already have the facility of mid-flight refuelling by an oil-carrying plane, the IL 78 sourced from Russia.The AEW&C has state-of-the art Active Electronically Scanned Radar, Secondary Surveillance Radar, Electronic and Communication Counter Measures, data link, voice communication system and self protection suite.A complex software has been developed for fusion of information from the sensors to provide the air situation picture along with intelligence to handle identification of threat assessment.It is mated with the integrated air command, control and communications system (IACCCS), which gets direct real-time feeds from existing space-based overhead reconnaissance satellites, ground-based and aerostat-mounted ballistic missile early warning radars and high-altitude-long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles, and manned AEW&C platforms.

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 30

The Ministry of Defence has capped educational expenses it pays to children of martyrs or those disabled in action at Rs 10,000 per month, impacting some 3,200 students in schools, colleges and professional institutions.This will result in a meagre saving of less than Rs 4 crore per annum, say sources.The orders came into force on July 1 this year. Since then, the ministry has received several requests for continuing with the old system, which had no such ceiling. The MoD had on November 2 clarified to an Agra-based petitioner, wife of a Lt Colonel, that a letter to cap fee had been drafted as per the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC).The scheme to bear the cost of education of children of martyrs was announced in the Lok Sabha on December 18,1971, two days after the Pakistani forces surrendered to the Indian forces at Dacca (now know as Dhaka). The scheme, introduced in the 1972 session, allowed complete exemption of tuition and ‘other fee’ school onwards.In 1990, the MoD extended the scheme to children of officers and jawans killed or disabled in Operation Meghdoot (Siachen) and Operation Pawan (Sri Lanka). Another amendment in 2003 included children of those killed or disabled in counter-insurgency operations. The dilution began in 1983 when a ceiling was imposed on expenses for uniform. In 2010, the clause ‘other fee’ was removed. The forces protested but to no avail. The ceiling introduced this year will hit students in the midst of their degree courses.

Introduced in 1972 session

• The scheme to bear the cost of education of children of martyrs was announced in the Lok Sabha on December 18, 1971, two days after the Pakistani forces surrendered to Indian forces at Dacca (now known as Dhaka).
• The scheme, introduced in the 1972 session, allowed complete exemption of tuition and ‘other fee’.