India SCO Relations – Geometry of Regional Politics
Jul 4, 2010
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India – SCO relations seem to be attaining some momentum. The External Affairs Minister, Mr S M Krishna attended the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meet in Tashkent. He highlighted that, India attached great importance to the Organisation having been an Observer since 2005 as the SCO was in the sphere of India’s, ‘extended neighbourhood.’ Mr Krishna stated, “India has consistently articulated its desire to play a more constructive and meaningful role as an Observer at the SCO. We deeply value the role of the SCO in bringing security, stability and development to our region and stand ready to step up our engagement to contribute more meaningfully to the SCO for the common good of the people of our region”. |
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Future Security Challenges - “New Dimensions of Security”
Jul 4, 2010
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Addressing the 9th IISS Asia Security Summit in Singapore, India’s National Security Adviser, Mr Shiv Shankar Menon indicated the new dimensions of peace and security as global public goods in addition to the competition among states for power, influence, and resources, with the goal of determining or affecting the behaviour of other state and non-state actors. The nation-state is still the basic unit of international security. |
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Rohtang Tunnel – Cutting through the Mighty Himalayas
Jul 4, 2010
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Located in the Pir Panjal range 51 kms from Manali hill town at an altitude of 3,978 meters (13,044 feet), the Rohtang Pass remains snowbound in winters for over six months, cutting off the tribal Lahaul-Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh and also the strategically vital Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. |
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Defence Minister’s Nyoma Landing – A Strategic Signal
Jul 4, 2010
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Shri AK Antony, became the first Defence Minister to land at the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) of Nyoma, situated very close to the Line of Actual Control. Accompanied by the Defence Secretary Shri Pradeep Kumar and other senior officials of Ministry of Defence, senior officers of Army and Air Force based in Leh, Shri Antony flew in a Mi-17 helicopter to land at Nyoma, at an elevation of 13,300 feet. |
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Indian Navy - A Stellar Role in the Indian Ocean
Jul 4, 2010
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When INS Brahmaputra recently escorted MV Borzna across the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Navy had successfully escorted 1000 ships across the pirate infested waters of the Gulf of Aden. To date the Indian Navy (IN) has escorted 1037 ships including 134 Indian flagged ships and 903 foreign flagged ships. The IN's contribution to keeping the 'global commons' safe for merchant ships of as many as 50 countries who have availed the escort is significant. This, of course, is in addition to the EEZ and anti-piracy patrols the IN undertakes in other island countries of the region. |
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‘Tarkash’ Stealth Frigate Launched
Jul 4, 2010
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The second of the three follow on Talwar class stealth frigates being built by Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia was ceremoniously launched on 23 Jun 10. The frigate, christened ‘Tarkash’ during the ceremony, belongs to the elite Talwar Class of ships, three of which namely Talwar, Trishul and Tabar are already in service with the Indian Navy. The first follow on ship, christened ‘Teg’ was launched on 27 Nov 09. Their mission in Navy spans the entire spectrum of Naval warfare, viz Air, Surface and Sub-surface. The ships are capable of operating in Blue waters, and are at the forefront of the Indian Navy task forces. |
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IAF Will Field 242 Sukhoi 30 MKI
Jul 4, 2010
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The Cabinet Committee on Security cleared one of the biggest defence orders of recent times as per the Times of India valued at almost Rs 15,000 Crore for an additional 42 Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters. This will take the Sukhoi fleet of the Indian Air Force to 272 when all the aircraft are delivered by around 2018. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will begin manufacture of the 42 aircraft sometime in 2014, each costing in the range of Rs 350 Crore. The Su 30 order book started with 50 fighters, followed by licensed production of 140, to which another 40 were added. The present order for 42 fighters is up scaled from 40, with two more added to make up for the two crashed fighters. |
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Exercise ‘GARUDA’ – A New Step in Indo French Air Force Cooperation
Jul 4, 2010
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The Indo-French Air Exercise Ex Garuda at Istres Air Base in Southern France concluded on 25 of June 2010. During the Ex Garuda, the Indian Air Force and French Air Force were engaged in various missions ranging from close combat engagement of large forces, slow mover protection, and protecting and engaging High Value Aerial Assets. “The focus of the Air Exercise is learning from each other’s best practices. The Air Defence operations would be central to our various maneuvers. |
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Evolving - Strategy for Politicisation of Militancy
Jul 4, 2010
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Drop in militant violence in Jammu and Kashmir has not contributed to peace dividend given the strategic drift in political circles and manipulation from across the Line of Control, with high visibility political incidents creating an impact of loss of control by the government. Thus anti national elements triggered by separatists and sponsored by leaders inimical to national interests took advantage of the dilemma of use of force by the police to indulge in wanton violence in selected spots of the Kashmir Valley resulting in the death of 11 persons in the prime of youth allegedly in police firing. |
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The Operational Scenario: A Dilemma Prevails
Jul 4, 2010
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In a fatal tactical error the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) lost 27 troops of 39 Battalion in an ambush of a road opening party in Narayanpur district on 29 June 2010. The attack was three kilometres from the CRPF camp in Dhaudhai off the densely forested Maoist-controlled Abhujhmad area. |
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Naxalism: “Everybody Loves a Good Insurgency”.
Jul 4, 2010
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That the challenge of Left Wing Extremism also known variously as Naxalism or Maoist insurgency poses a serious security threat to India has been reiterated more than once by no less a person than the Prime Minister Dr Man Mohan Singh. One dimension of the problem is fuzzy numbers on spread of the threat which in turn is leading to the government willingly pouring in resources without much accountability and consequently corruption, a situation which works to the advantage of all stakeholders in the conflict. |
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Chronology of Major Naxal Attacks
Jul 4, 2010
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June 29, 2008: Maoists attack a boat on Balimela reservoir in Orissa carrying four anti-Naxalite police officials and 60 Greyhound commandos, killing 38 troops. |
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Army Integration the Sore Point
Jul 4, 2010
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On the key issue of army integration however the contention continues as meeting of the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) for Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist combatants could not be held during the month as the Unified CPN (Maoist) representatives boycotted the same. Nepal Army (NA) has expressed dissatisfaction with lack of political consensus on the numbers to be integrated. |
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KARACHI FATALITIES: 2005-2010
Jul 4, 2010
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17 Extremist and banned groups in the country continue to collect money during religious and other ceremonies in the name of public welfare using different names in Punjab. Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Pind Dadan Khan, Mandi Bahauddin, Attock, Kharian, Faisalabad and Gujranwala areas of Punjab has seen an active presence of these groups. "Ghazi Force" formed after the Lal Masjid operation in 2007 is the most active |
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Balochistan the Slow Burning Frontier
Jul 4, 2010
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Balochistan continued to show trends of a slow burning war. On 20 June an army official was killed and 13 others, including seven army men, injured in a roadside bomb attack targeting a military convoy. The Dawn News in a report raised concerns of collapse in Balochistan with rising dangers from groups as the Jundallah, a Sunni sectarian outfit. Sectarian killings are also attributed to the Laskhar-i-Jhangvi while some reports even state cross-pollination between various militant groups. |
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Military – Capacity Enhancement
Jul 4, 2010
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Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani claimed that the Pakistan Army was, “well equipped, highly motivated and fully capable of defeating any conventional and un-conventional threats facing the country,” at the Command and Staff College, Quetta. “Ultimately it is the will of the people and their support that is decisive. It is critical that the efforts of the Pakistan Army are backed by the whole nation,” the COAS said. |
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Sri Lanka: The New Great Game In the Indian Ocean
Jul 4, 2010
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A year after the end of conflict in Sri Lanka, a new Great Game is unfolding in the Indian Ocean with India, China, Japan and the United States competing for strategic space on the pearl drop Island on the sea and oil routes from West to South East and East Asia. Thus there is a beeline of major powers to invest in Sri Lanka with the government’s policy of inviting foreign money in projects both infrastructure and industry acting as a catalyst. |
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International Issues
Jul 4, 2010
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Sri Lanka has reacted angrily to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s appointment of an expert panel to advise him on human rights violations in the final stage of the island’s civil war. |
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Enduring “Power Ties”
Jul 4, 2010
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Indian Chief of the Army Staff, General V K Singh, on a four-day visit to Bhutan, was granted an audience by His Majesty the King and also met the Prime Minister assuring them of India’s continued support to security of the mountain Kingdom. Singh has a special understanding of the country having served as an instructor at the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) in Bhutan from 1979 to 1981. |
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Counter Terror Diplomacy: A New Phase?
Jul 4, 2010
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Islamabad SAARC Ministerial Statement on Cooperation Against Terrorism underscored regional diplomacy to counter the challenge from transnational terrorism. India’s Home Minister Mr P Chidambaram adopted a very firm approach in his meetings particularly during the bilaterals with Pakistani counter part Mr Malik. |
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