Oceanic Geopolitics

It is not just the hankering for energy sources and untrammelled passage of bulk carriers to home ports that is tormenting the Indo-Pacific oceanic region these days. Even more fretting is the blatant attempt by China to create a ‘string of pearls’ across the oceans and ‘silk routes’ along the landmass that has people bewildered about Chinese machinations and intentions. Every which way one looks at, India stands four-square in the path of this Chinese expansionism and is hence, Beijing’s target number one.

During the last century, American Admiral Alfred Mahan had recognised the importance of the Indian Ocean as an organic connection between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. The Indian peninsular landmass projecting out into the Indian Ocean is both a boon and an invitation to colonisation and satrapy. India suffered colonisation for three millennia before dethroning British Raj through an exemplary peaceful transition, underscoring the adage that while those who intruded over the land frontiers became assimilated into the Indian ethos, those who came from the sea, stayed on to subjugate and rule.

The likelihood of oil and gas reserves in the Pacific seabed with the Indian Ocean connectivity has stoked a predilection for controlling the seas and domination for fuel by gluttons like China. With the fruition of its long-range plans for nuclear weapons, armed submarines and soon to arrive aircraft carrier, China is flexing its muscles against neighbours like Japan, Vietnam and Philippines and trying to dissuade India from helping these countries exploit resources lying within their respective oceanic claim lines.

Despite being a peace-loving state, India has always had to guard against dubious activities in the Indian Ocean and connecting waters. The threat from China and its support to Pakistan Navy has compelled us to ruminate over the whole scenario. Beijing is acutely aware of the potential for trouble that India presents to the economic well-being of the Han state. China and Pakistan should be cognizant that ganging up against India will be counter-productive to Chinese hegemonic aspirations. We foresee that the dynamic change of guard in the federal government and an exhilarating amelioration of the defence and security apparatus will discourage China and Pakistan in executing their game plan.

Many stalwarts have analysed developments in the Pacific-Indian Ocean littoral in this issue of DSA, commenting on the emerging scenarios and predicating the increasing geostrategic and geopolitical importance of Indo-Pacific theatre in the global security environment.

On the western horizon, a withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan could create a new dynamics that could affect India’s security. Unlike India, Pakistan is using its geographical position to hinder Indian access to Kabul and beyond, who are equally chary of the Pakistani epicentre of terrorism and even Islamabad’s very own “all weather friends” in Beijing have started recognising the threat from Pakistan. Pakistan has already started using the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) as a trump card to force concessions from Washington.

Equally daunting are threats emerging from the seas like 26/11 in Mumbai, which triggered an upheaval in my mind and instigated me to initiate a series of confabulations with my dear friend and our Editor-in-chief, Mr Manvendra Singh to conceptualise and bring out a world-class magazine committed to national defence and security. Over five years of existence has cemented DSA as a strong reference point for disquisitions on Indian capabilities and concerns with an objective to play our role in creating awareness about defence and security and disseminating credible and insightful analyses on developing scenarios around the world.

Jai Hind!

Politico-military Stratagem To Pave The Way

The kaleidoscope of eight (Sikkim included) Northeastern states in their rich art and culture, exclusive species of flora and fauna and climate complements the diversity that is mainland India. Its importance for the rest of the nation state lies in the fact that it is the hub of international borders with China, Bhutan, Myanmar (former Burma) and Bangladesh. It must, thus, be the heart of India’s new “Look East” policy of reaching out to the other former outposts of culture and commerce that range from Thailand, the Indochina states of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and Indonesia that lie on the rim of the Pacific Ocean. Borrowing from a Chinese phrase, they are as integral and close to the rest of India as “lips and teeth”.

It was, for it’s geopolitical importance, that all the previous central governments had tried their best to bring normalcy after the attainment of independence in a region that has been in a constant state of flux. It is so unfortunate that not much could be done for the overall development of the region. Although a special ministry in the central government was formed a few years back to give all the best support to the region but that could only make some meagre contribution in the socio-economic conditions of the people of the eight states of Northeastern India. There could be many reasons for the deficiencies but instead of discussing all that we need to now focus on the solutions to improve the situation. Still, in most of the states the feeling of pride is missing, education and health facilities are not up to the mark as compared to the other states in the country.

We all are witness to the Chinese strategy to destablise the situation along the Line of Actual Control which extends from Arunachal Pradesh in the east to Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir in the west. The intrusion in Chumar highlighted the complexity of Chinese policy towards India and the different power centres that are operating in Beijing. India’s foreign policy will have to be moulded to deal with the dichotomy. Our other neighbour Bangladesh, though small in size and resources, has tremendous potential for destabilisation of India because of the very porous borders it shares with Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, West Bengal and Mizoram through which human trafficking, drugs, counterfeit currency, terrorism and, worst, migrants flow into India. The nexus between the black economy and terrorism was illustrated recently by the bomb explosions in West Bengal.

The current government is very serious in tackling the situation at the internal as well as the external level on the defence and security matters in the Northeastern region and that’s the reason that our Prime Minister, Home Minister and Defence Minister have given a very clear message to both China and Bangladesh. Our Security Forces and National Investigating Agency are working day and night to investigate and nab the culprits and fix the problems for the safety and security of the people in this region.

Jai Hind!

Global Jihad Seeking The Return Of Islamic Caliphate?

Jihad has been in existence since time immemorial in small enclaves and regional expanses. But never before has it had such a wide ambiance as it does today – from the Philippines in the Pacific Ocean, South East Asia, Indonesia through Han China and multi-ethnic India, Pakistan and Afghanistan where its modern day avatar gained ascendancy, Europe, West Asia and increasingly in Africa where Boko Haram has registered its murderous imprint. Its adherents dream of a return of the Muslim Caliphate far exceeding the power and authority of the Ottoman Empire.

Defence experts from all over the world have meticulously analysed the connotation of global jihad to understand its genesis and why and how it has spread its tentacles to become a global scourge.

Women, long treated as the ‘lesser kind’ in Islamic jurisprudence, have played an integral role in delivering, through suicide missions, the message of jihad. Many, like the ‘Black Widows’ of the Caucasus and the ‘White Widows’ of Africa have embraced the philosophy of jihad wholeheartedly either for monetary benefits or an unforgiving vengeance.

For many years, the role of money in stoking terrorism was ignored largely because of the geopolitics of removing Communist Soviet troops from Afghanistan in the 70s. But since then the role of petrodollars in financing the Wahhabist interpretation of jihad has been ignored and only recently has attention been given to the massive money transfers through the ‘hawala’ transactions. If we try to assess the gamut of terrorism operations in the world today then we will realise just how badly this has been neglected by almost all the governments in all the countries.

Common sense fortifies that ‘financial terrorism’ can be mercilessly handicapped by a hawk eyed monitoring and control of financial exchanges through banks and illegal procedures which will surely result in a strong counter for all terrorist activities across the world. With a barricading of easy and quick financial resources to meet the demands and requirements of cadres, no terrorist outfit will be in a position to operate or expand and diversify their activities. A nexus between some of the anti-national business class, drug mafia and arms dealers are actually the prime accused responsible for the fluidity of funds, ammunition and weapons to these terrorist groups.

It is indisputable, that for an objective of an immediate control of all terrorist activities, it is incumbent upon the United Nations Security Council to urgently introduce a road map with strict and mandatory guidelines for stringent monitoring of all financial and banking transactions around the world. I am sure that some such guidelines are already in place but I am equally sure that they are insufficiently implemented. Let all leading economies of the world unite on this ‘one point agenda’ and develop a counter-measure at the earliest.

I am confident that under the leadership of the most popular Prime Minister that India is fortunate to have today and his carefully selected team for defence and security, the new government has its priorities well articulated to fight this growing phenomenon of global jihad. India’s initiative will most certainly be exemplary for the rest of the world.

Jai Hind!

Has the Republic Day Parade become a Ritual?

India became a Sovereign Democratic Republic on the 26th of January 1950, and Indians have been celebrating the Republic Day with immense pride and committed passion ever since. Equally candid is the fact that the meaning of our Republic Day has sadly diminished to a mere ‘holiday’. Somewhere down the lane, we have ironically lost the honour and essence of the significance of our Constitution.

Every Republic Day of India observes the painful process of chaotic preparations in Delhi, specifically from Raisina Hill to the Red Fort. This turbulence and inconvenience begins in December and continues till the end of January. The following questions have been bugging Indian citizens for a long time in the absence of a platform to voice out their concerns.

• What is the genesis of this parade which has been continuing for the last 64 years?
• Why is this organised?
• Who is benefitting from this exercise?
• Why so much of wastage of money, resources and man-hours?
• What message is being conveyed by this ritual?

Does anyone from the previous governments have answers to these nagging questions? I am sure many Indians would agree that we are failing to disseminate the real message behind this extravagant demonstration of power to our younger generations. It is sadly startling that no one in the current and the previous governments has ever pondered on this exuberance in the name of national interest! We all know that the Republic of India’s Constitution was promulgated on the 26th January, 1950. Now after more than six decades do we really understand this legacy of the Republic Day Parade we have inherited?

In an effort to showcase a few armaments, the discipline of various defence and security forces and some tableaux displaying the art and culture of states, we are incidentally neglecting the fact that the huge amount of money and resources being spent every year could be used for other more significant and imperative situations. I feel it would be more meaningful if we start concentrating on inculcating and overtly encouraging patriotism and national pride along with building character and developing work culture in each individual rather than spending energies on organising the Beating Retreat. We need to focus on empowering the forces from the grass roots to highest levels. National debates for effective alternatives can be helpful.

It is time to channelise our resources for superlative development.

Jai Hind!

Professional soldiers are honourable But the world is full of amateurs!

Time and circumstances have changed drastically in the past few decades in every sphere of human existence. We are fully aware that economic development and progress transpiring round the globe have also been instrumental in presenting challenges, threats, competitions and rivalry among nations simultaneously. Defence forces have been an integral part of every civilisation and creation of modern military wherewithal has contributed to both economic growth and political realignments across continents.

We are witnessing these defence forces, especially National Armies, emerging as bulwarks of nation states.  Their enhanced potential in terms of being better equipped mentally and materially is adding value to their performances.

Modernisation of the army has been a focus area for every nation, leading to procurement of best technologies, gadgets and military know-how with an endeavour to keep their army personnel abreast and conversant with latest developments – the state-of-the-art. This contributes to improved vigilance or what has come to be known as “situational awareness”, in safeguarding their borders and nation. There has been a complete transformation observed in the army during the past few decades as some states have acquired economic prosperity resulting in a diversion of resources to this modernisation process of their armies and their fighting men. There has been a paradigm shift in the procurement of arms and ammunition, training and use of technologies to attain best results.

A unique and contemporary concept of joint exercises has emerged in the last few decades which has proved to be an innovative approach in sharing military knowledge and skills by various nations. This has helped states understand their challenges and made their army top brass aware of an alternative option which would contribute to greater development and economic progress over time. Veritably, these joint exercises have manifested and strengthened bilateral relations between these nations. Some may say that these exercises are a wastage of resources but the fact remains that this concept has actually generated peace and mutual proximity, camaraderie and trust  among armies of states, affirming a pathway to humanity and global peace. The role of armies during peacetime too has become profound by their active participation in disaster management during national calamities.

India has become a very important hub for the entire Asia-Pacific region as far as geopolitics is concerned. The Indian Army has been conducting many such joint exercises with the developed and developing countries. The recent exercises with Russia, US, UK and other countries have added value to the overall performance of the Indian Army and their counterparts too.

I am sure that global armies of the future will prove to be real peacemakers and contribute to peace and prosperity with their honed war skills.

Anno Domini 2014 is round the corner as we go to Press and I conceive many new developments which will affect global geopolitics. The US-led International Security Assistance Force will be back home from Afghanistan and our premonition indicates unpredictable turbulence. Its impact on India is based on the record of the Nawaz Sharif government in Pakistan which has been dubious to say the least during its earlier tenure during late 1990s, when Kargil War happened and the Prime Minister feigned ignorance and innocence. But India has been a peace loving country and will continue to demonstrate the same commitment to peace and humanity in defiance of threats and challenges. We are confident that our army is efficiently qualified and ready to face all eventualities.

On behalf of Team DSA I wish a very happy, prosperous and peaceful 2014 to all our readers, contributors, associates and everyone who has a nationalist approach to life.

Jai Hind!