Lead The Change

(HOW THE PEARL OF AFRICA AND THE INDIAN ELEPHANT ARE MATCHING STEPS)

“You cannot build a house for last year’s summer”.

Ethiopian proverb

THE “DARK CONTINENT” -THEN AND NOW

To the common man in India, Africa brings in images of a mysterious land inhabited by dark skinned people, stricken by poverty and violence and in general a sense of hopelessness and despair; a land that is best avoided. While Indians will move in droves to Europe, USA, Australia and even South East Asia for various reasons, be it tourism, business, education or employment; the thought of going to Africa is often associated with unknown fears. Adding to these apprehensions are stories of disease, famine and genocides that are known to have afflicted this vast landmass over the years. Uganda is ingrained in the minds of Indians as the country of Idi Amin Dada, the notorious dictator of the 70’s who had unceremoniously evicted all Asians from his country in 1972. Almost 80,000 people of Indian origin had to flee Uganda and hundreds of thousands Ugandans were killed during his brutal regime. His eccentric behaviour and policies ensured the devastation of the Ugandan economy as well. The Idi Amin period was no doubt a dark chapter in the history of Uganda.

Clearly a lot of water has flown down the river Nile since that period which was tragic for both Indians and Ugandans alike. India and Uganda are now partners in growth in practically all fields of mutual interest and have the best of relations.

Africa is a treasure of natural resources and geographical wonders. The finest diamonds, gold, uranium, timber and rare earth are some of the bounties of mother nature that are found in abundance in the continent. Northern Africa has the largest desert in the world, the Sahara Desert. Some of the mightiest rivers flow across Africa. Among them are the longest river in the world, the Nile, the deepest river, the Congo and the river with the widest waterfall (Victoria Falls), the Zambezi. Africa boasts of some of the finest wildlife reserves on earth which are a tourist’s delight and a major source of revenue.

It is true that Africa has been subjected to domination by foreign powers for a long time. These included the Americans who took away slaves in thousands from West Africa to work in their cotton farms and generally help in the development of the USA and the Omanis who controlled the eastern seaboard in the eighteenth century. In the late eighteenth century, almost all major European powers colonized Africa for its mineral wealth, cash crops and timber to fuel the industrial revolution back home. Within twenty years, nearly the entire African continent was possessed by European powers in a mad race for resources, called the “Scramble for Africa”^[1]. The French colonized most of western Africa, parts of central Africa and many islands off the east coast including Madagascar, Comoros and Reunion Islands. The Belgians colonized Congo. The Portuguese retained their control on Guinea Bissau, Angola and Mozambique. The British controlled almost the entire central and eastern regions to include Egypt, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa and some islands such as St Helena’s. Germany briefly controlled Tanganyika.

Years of merciless exploitation of a continent rich with natural resources left its people in extreme poverty while their exploiters flourished. An example of this exploitation is the cultivation of coffee in Africa. Without doubt some of the best coffee beans are cultivated in countries such as Uganda and Ethiopia, but mainly as cash crops only to be savoured by the rest of the world.

During this period of colonization, the colonial powers drew arbitrary boundaries to “divide” the region into their respective spheres of influence. These boundaries mostly followed natural barriers such as rivers and lakes but in many cases they were artificially drawn on land. The boundaries between Kenya and Uganda, Uganda and Sudan, Uganda and Rwanda and between Uganda, Rwanda and Belgian Congo (where they were not separated by the lakes) were such examples. The results were that people of the same ethnicity found themselves on both sides of the boundaries. The Bagisu people living in the eastern district of Uganda also inhabit the region across the border in Kenya. The Luo peoples inhabit the junction of South Sudan, north east Uganda and north west Kenya. The Hutus and Tutsis are found in Rwanda, Burundi, western Uganda as well as eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). These ethnic spillovers have often resulted in more than one nation getting involved in intra state conflicts. A clear example of this is the similar ethnic conflicts between Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda, Burundi and eastern DR Congo. These conflicts have been among the fiercest in the world resulting in repeated genocides of innocents.

The end of the Second World War had seen the rise of the United States and the Soviet Union as the two Superpowers and the waning of colonial rule worldwide. Leaders such as Nehru of India and Nasser of Egypt provided the impetus to freedom movements in the Third World. After India gained independence in 1947, Egypt rid itself of colonial rule in 1952 and was soon followed by a number of African nations. Among the East African states, Uganda gained independence in 1962, Kenya in 1963 and Tanzania in 1964. Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana were the most charismatic African leaders at that time who led their countries to independence. Many newly independent countries however, plunged into civil wars immediately after independence and these soon morphed into proxy wars between the superpowers who vied to retain or enhance their influence in the continent during the Cold War period. Prominent among them were the civil wars in Mozambique and Angola wherein the hand of the superpowers was clearly evident.

The end of the Cold War in 1991 also resulted in the successful resolution of most of the intra state wars in Africa although some irritants remained and continue to do so till today, such as the conflict in DR Congo and the Central African Republic (CAR) as well as the festering war in Somalia. Few fortunate countries such as Tanzania, however, have experienced continued peace and stability after independence. Most other African countries have also seen political stability and economic resurgence over the last few decades after the return of peace. The information revolution has empowered the population who themselves are aspirational and demand better governance from their leaders.

Africa comprises 54 countries with a collective population of approximately equal to that of India. These countries represent an influential voting bloc in international fora. The spirit of ‘Pan Africanism’ runs strong in the continent and has manifested itself in the form of the African Union, a continental  grouping supported by the United Nations which espouses the philosophy of “African solutions to African problems”. Functionally due to its vast expanse, the continent is further subdivided into four regions viz Western, Southern, Eastern and North Africa. Countries of these regions have organized themselves into various groupings such as the Economic Cooperation between West African States (ECOWAS), South African Development Cooperation (SADC), and the East African Community (EAC) to name a few. The thought process of promoting such regional groupings is manifold. These include promotion of the overall cause of Pan-Africanism, regional security and economic cooperation. In relation to economic cooperation, it has been realised by most African countries that individually with their small populations they are no match to the vast markets offered by India, China, Bangladesh, Indonesia etc. The only viable option for them therefore is economic integration. Integration also allows them to engage in seamless regional trade and movement, thus ensuring stability.

Modern day Africa has thus come far from its turbulent past and is widely perceived to be the continent of the future. Many countries where peace and stability has returned since the 90s have embarked on a positive economic growth journey. Today Africa is home to over half a dozen of the fastest growing countries of this decade[2]. Most of the countries in Africa are experiencing moderate to healthy economic growth rates, which is leading to declining poverty and increase in demand for goods and services. Countries such as Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Botswana and Angola to name a few, are among the economic success stories of the century. Not surprisingly, all major powers across the globe have recognized this significant positive change across most of sub-Saharan Africa. There exists a competition for influence in the continent and its resources among the major powers of the world. While China, Japan and the EU are major supporters of infrastructure, the USA, UK and EU/NATO have a major influence in the military field apart from general capacity building.

Prevailing instabilities due to ethnic as well as religious fault lines and continuing influence of colonial powers even after their departure has placed a premium on peace support operations in the continent. Resultantly the AU is being steadily empowered and is presently playing a defining role in Somalia, CAR and Mali. It is also slated to make inroads into DR Congo in the form of a neutral intervention force to be headed by Tanzania. In addition, regional rapid response capabilities are being developed as part of the western, southern and eastern regions of Africa. In the Eastern African Region, Uganda plays a pivotal role in the East African Rapid Deployment Force. Uganda is also spearheading the peace support operations in Somalia under the aegis of the AU. The Nordic countries play a major role in training for peace support operations (PSO). Increasing importance is being ascribed to joint training exercises at the regional level on Peace Support Operations.

India plays a lead role in capacity building in the continent apart from its unmatchable contribution to peace support operations. Principally the Indian approach has been to capitalize on its soft power and historical trade relations with African countries. Indian military operations in Africa have been mainly under the aegis of the UN, dating back to the fifties. India has actively participated in military operations as part of the UN in Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Angola. As part of training assistance, India has been sending military training teams of varying compositions to Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Lesotho, Kenya and Nigeria in the past.

Although India is making inroads on the continent, China will remain Africa’s leading trading partner for a long time to come because of its economic might. However, there is a major difference in India’s approach to business vis a vis that of China. China brings in its own workforce and sets up its own colonies while expanding business or developing infrastructure. In Africa one can see small pockets of Chinese residential colonies near their developmental projects. They also use their own transport, brought from China to ferry the workforce. This practice is resented by the locals as it does not give any employment benefits to them. In contrast, India utilises local labour as also contributes in major way towards social uplift of the communities. Most of the Indian industrialists in Uganda run schools, colleges and hospitals for the locals in large numbers. This practice is favoured by the Africans.

India’s commitment to Africa also reflects its political aspiration to be the voice of countries of the Global South. India encourages multilateral relations with the regional economic groupings in Africa. Countries such as Uganda would wish to use India’s influence to give them a voice in global platforms. More so they would also like to benefit from India’s model of growth. Some very interesting phenomena which amaze the African countries are: India’s ability to repeatedly conduct national elections in a free and fair manner and also manage to count millions of votes and announce results which are not disputed within a few days of the polls; India’s initiative of introducing the Aadhar Card among more than a billion people in a relatively short span of time and the vast cell phone density among its population. The common African looks at such issues longingly and hopes India’s success stories will benefit him as well.

PERSPECTIVE ON UGANDA

A Glimpse into East Africa

East Africa lies astride the Equator. The countries in the region are Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi. The last two are geographically biased towards Central Africa but are economically closer to East Africa. The western flank of the sea lines of communication in the Arabian Sea between the Middle East and India also rests on the shores of East Africa, making it strategically immensely important. Some of the major geographical features in the region are the East African Rift which runs from Ethiopia in the north, through Kenya to Tanzania in the south; the two tallest peaks in Africa (Mounts Kilimanjaro and Kenya); the Nile river and the Great Lakes which include the world’s second largest freshwater body Lake Victoria, and the world’s second deepest lake, Lake Tanganyika. The region is a mix of dense rainforests, low hills, grasslands and dry plains. The temperatures are generally moderate and suitable for farming. The region abounds with wildlife which has become the mainstay of the tourism industry in the region. It boasts of world famous game parks such as the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya, the Serengeti and Girongoro reserves in Tanzania and the Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth game reserves in Uganda. The “Big Five” among the wild animals, the African lion, the elephant, leopard, rhinoceros and the wild buffalo are found in abundance in these reserves. The areas of the Rwenzori mountains between Uganda and Rwanda are few of the remaining homes of the African Gorilla which is on the verge of extinction because of relentless poaching. The Bwindi Impenetrable Park in Western Uganda is among the very few conservation reserves for this rare species. Chimpanzees are also found in abundance in these areas.

The two main ethnic groups in the region are the Bantu (Ba + Ntu, or Ntu people) and the Nilotics (inhabitants of the Nile). The Bantu are short and squat in appearance and mainly agriculturists who have migrated into many parts of east Africa including as far south as Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa. The Nilotics on the other hand are those who have been moving along with their cattle in search of grazing grounds. Primarily they come from the Nile valley region of South Sudan (hence the name) but today they are manifested in the form of many tribes such as the Dinka of South Sudan, Masai of Kenya, Luo of Uganda and the Tutsi of Rwanda. They are tall and lanky and possess great physical stamina. The Nilotics traditionally moved in search of grazing grounds for their cattle based on seasonal variations and in the process would come into contact with the more static Bantus over land, leading to power struggles and conflicts. These two reasons, land and struggle for supremacy, have been the primordial reasons for the intra state wars that East Africa has historically been subjected to.

The Swahili language which is widely spoken along the East coast is known to have been created as a result of the African communicating with the Arab trader and later on with the White explorer as well as the Indian merchant. Swahili language thus has many words derived from the languages spoken by these people. The word Swahili itself is derived from Arabic meaning “from the coast”. Friday is called “Ijumma” and dawn is “alfajiri” to quote a few similarities. Hindi words also have many uses in Swahili. For example, pineapple is called “nanasi” from the Hindi “ananas”, shop is “duka” from the Hindi “dukaan” and medicine became “dawa” from the same Hindi word (derived from “aldiwa” in Arabic). Similarly, words such as “gari” for vehicle, “pesa” for money and “mesa” for table will also ring a bell with Hindi speakers.

The countries of East Africa have undertaken a major initiative towards regional integration, by forming the East African Community (EAC). It is a regional intergovernmental organisation of the six east African countries to include Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The combined population of the Community is 177 million, the land area is 2.5 million square kilometres and the combined Gross Domestic Product is US$ 193 billion (EAC Statistics for 2019)^[3].  The EAC Treaty was signed on 30 November 1999 and entered into force on 7 July 2000 among the original three partners Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Rwanda and Burundi became full members of the Community with effect from 1 July 2007 and the last addition was South Sudan who joined on 15 August 2016. Efforts are on to include DR Congo as well into the grouping. The EAC is one of the fastest growing regional economic blocs in the world and is striving to enhance co-operation among the Partner States in political, economic and social spheres for mutual benefit. The common goal of the EAC is economic wellbeing by promoting economic integration leading to an East African federation of states in the long term. The regional integration process is proceeding well as reflected by the progress of the East African Customs Union, the establishment of the Common Market in 2010 and the implementation of the East African Monetary Union Protocol. Already a common passport exits for all members of the community. Efforts are on to have a common currency as well. However, there are problems due to economic inequity between Kenya, the economic powerhouse of the region and the other countries and problems of national identity in agreeing to a political federation.

Geography

Uganda, the “Pearl of Africa”, is a small country on the Equator in Central Africa approximately the geographical size of Uttar Pradesh and a population roughly equal to Delhi and Mumbai combined. It is landlocked and shares borders with Kenya in the East, Tanzania in the south, Rwanda to the southwest, DR Congo to the West and South Sudan to the North. The only major ports of access to the rest of the world are Mombasa in Kenya and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. An arterial road runs from Mombasa through Nairobi in Kenya to the major cities in Uganda, ie, Jinja, Kampala and Entebbe and extends into Rwanda as well as DR Congo and South Sudan. A metre gauge railway line also runs from Mombasa to DR Congo however it is functional only till Entebbe. There is only one international airport at Entebbe. Another one is now under construction in western Uganda.

Uganda is home to the source of the River Nile which originates from Lake Victoria at Jinja and empties itself into the Mediterranean while forming the fertile Nile Delta near Alexandria in Egypt. Southern and Central Uganda has low hilly areas with lush green flora interspersed with marshlands. The regions to the north and northeast are dry. There are a number of lakes in the country including Lake Victoria to the south, Lakes Albert and Edward to the west and Lake Kyoga in the centre.

Ethnicity and History

Uganda is essentially a conglomerate of tribal kingdoms united into one political entity. The tribes in the south and centre of Uganda belonging to the Bantu group constitute the majority. These are the Banyoro and the Baganda. In the northern regions the tribes generally belong to the Nilotic group. Among them are the Acholi, Toro and Karamajong, to name a few. In the areas East of the River Nile the dominant tribe are the Basoga. The Bantu people are known to have come into contact with the white explorers (known as Ba zungu), Arab sailors (Ba arabu) and Indian migrants (Ba hindi).

Historically the people of Uganda have been tribal agriculturists and hunters. From the 17^th century the Arabs and Europeans entered the region along with Indian traders. Uganda became a British protectorate in 1894 and gained independence in 1962. The leader at the time of independence was Milton Obote. The initial ruling dispensation was an experiment of rule by a coalition of parties led by Milton Obote as inter tribe rivalries eluded a consensus. However, the ruling coalition fell apart in 1966 due to the inabilities of various stake holders to agree on a power sharing arrangement and Milton Obote seized power. Obote was overthrown by Idi Amin in 1971. The expulsion of Indians from Uganda took place in 1972. Although Amin was responsible for the ouster of Indians from Uganda, the process of alienation had started early during the rule of Milton Obote. He followed a policy of “Africanisation” which led to segregation of the Indian community. Amin followed up the policy and ensured that the Indians were expelled from Uganda when he came to power.

Amin let loose a reign of terror in Uganda resulting in widespread deaths and imprisonments. The economy crashed and there was general chaos till the latter half of the seventies. In 1978 he attempted to capture the Tanzanian province of Kagera, prompting a war with Tanzania. Tanzanian forces along with Ugandan exiles captured Kampala in 1979 and Amin fled to Saudi Arabia where he died later in 2003. After the downfall of Amin in 1979 Uganda was governed ineffectively by Yusuf Lule, resulting in Milton Obote again seizing power in 1981. In February 1981, a young and charismatic leader, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launched the National Resistance Army (NRA) from Luwero and commenced a resistance movement. This ultimately resulted in the overthrow of Obote after the NRA captured the Ugandan capital Kampala. Museveni came to power in 1986. He renamed the NRA as the National Resistance Movement (NRM), gave it a political identity and appointed himself President.

Since then onwards some stability has arrived in the country, although threats to national security remain.  Mr Museveni brought in a new constitution with provisions for elections every five years and converted the country into a republic. This period has seen opening up of the economy and its consequent resurgence. Uganda however remains mainly dependent on imports and foreign aid and its dependence on the port of Mombasa (and Dar es Salaam to some extent) is critical to the economy. In Uganda the northern region is afflicted by insurgent groups such as Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army which have taken to arms against the perceived discrimination by the more influential southern ethnic groups.

Uganda is among the poorest countries in the world with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 33.9 billion in 2019^[4], however it has made significant strides in reducing poverty. Real gross domestic product grew at an average of 6.1% annually in 2019^[5]. Uganda’s current population growth rate is 3.3%, which is amongst the highest in Africa. The Indian Rupee is equal to approximately 50 Ugandan Shillings. Uganda relies heavily on subsistence farming, the basis of livelihood for most of the population. Bananas, cassava, sweet potatoes and maize are major subsistence crops and individual land holdings are small. Agriculture for commercial purposes is witnessed only in case of sugarcane farming by industrialists owning sugar mills, pineapples and coffee. The major export crop is coffee followed by tea, tobacco and cotton. Uganda is the second largest exporter of coffee in Africa after Ethiopia^[6]. There is a modest manufacturing and tourism sector. Uganda however remains mainly dependent on imports and foreign aid which accounts for nearly 10% of the national budget.

In 2006, oil was discovered in the western lake Albert region of Uganda. The total oil reserves are estimated to contain approximately 2.2 billion barrels of oil as per estimates of the International Monetary Fund. The Ugandan government has set up a Petroleum Authority to ensure necessary regulation and monitoring of oil related issues. The discovery of oil has generated a wave of optimism as it will have significant benefits for the economy. The direct benefit will be rise in employment and revenues. A 1445 km long pipeline has been planned from Hoima in western Uganda to Tanzania. This will be the longest electrically heated pipeline in the world. Uganda is also building an oil refinery along with a consortium led by General Electric of USA with a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day^[7].

Factors Influencing Uganda’s Strategic Outlook

          Small Geographical Size. Uganda is a small country whose total area is just 2,41,551 sq km[8]. Out of this, Lake Victoria territory constitutes approximately 16% of the total geographical area. The total boundary with her neighbours is 2729 km. The major towns, such as the capital Kampala, Jinja and the international airport town of Entebbe, industrial areas and strategic roads, railways and bridges are all in the southern part of the country closer to Lake Victoria. Other important towns are Gulu and Lira in the North, Mbarara in the West and Mbale in the East. The ‘strategic depth ratio’ of 93 km² of territory to every km of border reduces her defensive options in the event of external attack[9] as space cannot be traded for time if the strategic depth is shallow. This requires pro-active strategies to promote regional cohesion, manage the borders better and deter potential adversaries, in short, a proactive military approach to deal with military threats outside the country. Consequently, Uganda has been continuously involved in military operations in Central African Republic (CAR), DR Congo, South Sudan and Somalia.

Geographical Location. Uganda abuts the faultline between Black Africa and the Maghreb. Prior to the creation of South Sudan as an independent nation, Uganda was in direct conflict with Sudan which actively encouraged the spread of radical Islam into Uganda as also assisted Joseph Kony, the leader of the insurgent Lord’s Resistance Army of North Uganda. South Sudan has now become a buffer between Sudan and Uganda however, its continuing instability compels Uganda to get actively involved in its stabilization. The conflict in Somalia also has a direct bearing on the stability in Uganda. It is no surprise that Uganda is the main contributor of forces in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The mission force commander is also from Uganda.

Landlockedness. Being a landlocked country, Uganda has to perforce depend on other countries (mainly Kenya and to some extent Tanzania) for trade, military supplies, foreign aid and humanitarian assistance. Security of the main arterial highway and the international airport are critical elements in Uganda’s security. In addition, good relations with Kenya are a strategic compulsion to ensure uninterrupted trade, international aid and supplies.

Nile River Waters. The Nile river has a fascinating background. It has been revered by the ancient Egyptians as a divine blessing. It flows over a distance of over 6600 km, originating from Lake Victoria at Jinja in Uganda. It then flows northwards across Uganda and South Sudan to Khartoum in Sudan where it joins the Blue Nile and thereafter it flows into Egypt. As it enters Egypt, its waters are harnessed in Lake Nasser created by the Aswan Dam which is the main source of water and electricity for Egypt. The Nile then flows to Cairo and then enters the Mediterranean Sea. The sharing of the Nile river waters between Egypt and the upper riparian states is governed by the Nile River Treaty of 1929 signed between Egypt and the UK on behalf of Sudan and her other African dependencies. This treaty recognized the historical right of Egypt on the waters of the Nile and prohibited all upper riparian states from obstructing the flow of the river to Egypt in any way. This has prevented Uganda from harnessing the river waters of the Nile for agriculture and power generation to keep up with the growth in its population and its development needs. Egypt on its part would consider any violation of the treaty as an act of war. As a result, there are repeated calls among opinion makers in Uganda to abrogate the treaty and start using the Nile waters for Uganda’s development needs.

Relations with Sudan. The concerns of Uganda about Sudan are twofold. First is the unresolved insurgency movement led by Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), abetted by Sudan that affects Ugandan security. This group is active in north western Uganda with sanctuaries in Sudan as well as CAR. Second and more importantly, is the issue of stability of Southern Sudan which provides a buffer between Uganda and the more radical North Sudan (now known as Sudan) which is supported by Saudi Arabia and Egypt and has hostile relations with South Sudan and most of Black Africa including Uganda.

 Situation in Somalia.  Somalia is the main source of instability in the Horn of Africa. A failed state with no effective central government since 1991, Somalia’s problems range from massive humanitarian crises, clan based civil strife, piracy on its coasts, border disputes with Ethiopia and Eritrea, and increasing Islamic radicalism. Consequently, Somalia has become a fertile breeding ground for Islamist militants such as the Al Shabaab and is attracting increasing numbers of foreign jihadists. Uganda believes that the threat of terrorism emanating from Somalia and abetted by Sudan is real and unless controlled, this menace could reach the African Heartland. Uganda is thus a major stakeholder in Somalia. The geostrategic spin off for Uganda from its commitment could also be the access to the port facilities of the Somali capital Mogadishu and priority in exploiting the mineral resources of Somalia once stability returns in the country.

Rwanda. Rwanda has had a very turbulent and bloody past due to deep rooted hostility between the two main ethnic groups, the Hutus and the Tutsis. 1994 saw the climax of hostilities when Hutu militia murdered approximately 750,000 Tutsis in a span of one month. Sadly, the world came to know of the scale of the genocide only when the deed had been done. United Nations had maintained a presence in the country but was unable to control the situation due to mandate restrictions. These massacres of Tutsis by dominant Hutu community still haunt the national psyche. Attempts at reconciliation continue as also efforts to bring the main perpetrators to justice. Meanwhile, Rwanda has also embarked on an ambitious economic development programme and today it is one of the fastest growing economies of the region. Rwanda shares extremely close links with Uganda due to shared geostrategic, economic and cultural interests although some differences do arise occasionally.  

DR Congo. This is one of the oldest and largest conflict zones in the world. The country is very rich in minerals resources but with an ineffective government. This has led to regional warlords controlling various parts of the country for its natural wealth and for ethnic reasons. Uganda and Rwanda share their western borders with DR Congo and are actively involved in the conflict. The eastern border regions of DR Congo have become safe havens for ethnic groups hostile to Uganda and Rwanda. The discovery of oil in the Lake Albert region has the potential to transform the economies of both DR Congo and Uganda.

Relations with Kenya and Tanzania. Kenyais the economic powerhouse of the EAC. Mombasa, in Kenya, serves as the main port for the East African Countries in general and for Uganda in specific. Uganda’s relations with both Kenya and Tanzania are very close and stable. Tanzania is a member of both the EAC and the South African Development Council (SADC) and enjoys the benefits of both groupings.

Relations with Global Powers. Uganda seeks assistance from all major powers. The interest of the USA lies in having stability in East Africa; especially in view of the threat of radical Islam from the North and Uganda is playing the role of a frontline state. Russia is providing substantial financial assistance, primarily with a view to revive its sphere of influence in Africa. It is also a major military equipment supplier to Uganda. China is the largest investor in Uganda, emerging as the most prominent trading partner of Uganda.  China’s interests are primarily economic; however, in the process it is also expanding its influence in East Africa. China is also providing substantial financial assistance to Uganda and in return expects to get a stake in the emerging oil sector in Uganda. Japan is largely involved in infrastructure development. UK assists Uganda in military training and donations.

In Africa the incidences of interstate wars have significantly reduced over the past few decades. However, competition for resources such as the discovery of oil in the Albertine Rift of the Great Lakes region and the dispute over sharing of waters of the River Nile among the upper and lower riparian states, most notably Uganda and Egypt, do provide the potential for future interstate conflicts in the region. This has resulted in Uganda acquiring six state of the art SU 30 air dominance fighters in 2012, thus dramatically altering the military balance in air power in its favour. Its deployment in Somalia has also resulted in acquisition of a large amount of modern military equipment from the West to include armoured vehicles, night vision devices, communication and electronic warfare equipment and surveillance equipment such as micro unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). All these accretions and continued combat experience has made Uganda a force to reckon with in the region.

INDIA-UGANDA RELATIONS

The Idi Amin era did a play a role in shaping India’s foreign policy perceptions towards Uganda till the 80s but now the relations between India and Uganda are excellent. These include the political, diplomatic, economic, cultural and military dimensions. Mutual bilateral visits between Ugandan and Indian dignitaries have become a common feature. The Indian government has a large number of schemes and agreements for enhancing bilateral cooperation and further improving mutual relations. India is one of the major trading partners of Uganda. Indian businessmen have vast interests in the country and the region. There is also a large expatriate Indian community in Uganda operating major economic enterprises and contributing handsomely to the economy of the country. Indians play a leading role in the Ugandan economy, especially in manufacturing, trade, agro-processing, banking, sugar, real estate, hotels, tourism, and information technology. They employ tens of thousands of Ugandans and are amongst the biggest taxpayers in the country. Most of the shops and business establishments are owned by Indians. The cumulative investments of Indians in Uganda run into hundreds of millions of dollars across all sectors of the economy. At the same time, it is also true that Indians in Uganda are also primarily seen as businessmen and there are simmering underlying tensions due to vast financial disparity between the Indian community and the local Ugandans.

ITEC Assistance. India offers varied assistance towards capacity building under the Indian Technological and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. These include scholarships in Indian institutions and presence of training teams of experts in various fields including military training, arts, IT, audit, medicine, English teaching, telecommunications and agricultural research. ITEC experts have taught at the University of Mbarara in western Uganda. Ugandans also recognise the soft power of India and our contribution in the fields of education, training and the role of ITEC experts.

Education and Medical Treatment. Over the years thousands of Ugandans have studied in Indian colleges and universities and continue to do so, especially in Pune, Bangalore and Delhi. There is an APTECH franchise and a branch of Sikkim-Manipal University in Kampala. Delhi Public School International is among the prominent schools in Kampala. Ugandans are also increasingly travelling to India for medical treatment, especially complex surgery.  An e-link on telemedicine and education was commissioned on 16 Aug 10 between India and Uganda. The link is wholly funded by the Govt of India.

Military Cooperation

In the Eastern African Region, the armed forces of most countries except Kenya and Tanzania are in a state of transition, converting into professional armed forces from a guerilla background. As such, institutional and organisational military structures are either not in place or are still evolving. Coherent doctrines and policies on training, institutional development and human resource management within the armed forces are still a long way off. At the same time, armed forces of Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan are also involved in dealing with immediate national security concerns and have also to contend with emerging threats such as the influx of Pan Islamic terrorist groups in the region.  The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) is actively involved in operations in Somalia, Central African Republic (CAR), DR Congo and South Sudan. Rwandan armed forces are involved in DR Congo as well as in maintaining internal harmony within the country. The South Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) is actively deployed on its unsettled border with Sudan. There is thus a sense of urgency among the affected countries to professionalize their armed forces at the earliest with help of other global powers.

Training of the armed forces is currently multi sourced in most countries and this has highlighted the need for harmonization of doctrines. In Uganda, Training Teams from the European Union are involved in training Ugandan military contingents prior to their deployment in Somalia. US and British Military Training Teams are regular visitors in training institutions, most notably the Senior Command and Staff College (SCSC) at Kimaka which trains middle and senior ranking military officers from all East African Countries in the art and science of warfare, international relations, policy and strategy. Militaries of the East African countries have mutual exchange arrangements for instructors and students in each other’s training institutions.

India has deployed a training team called the Indian Military Training Team (IMTT) in the SCSC in Uganda since Feb 2010 which marked the first footprint of Indian Armed Forces in Uganda. The establishment of Indian military presence in Uganda since 2010 also put in place the first building block of future Indo-Uganda Defence Cooperation. The team consists of a Brigadier and three Colonel rank officers from the Army and Air Force. This team is rotated after three years of duty. SCSC, Kimaka is the seat of highest military learning in Uganda after the newly established National Defence College. The induction of the IMTT is aimed to enhance the quality of training in this prestigious institution and bring it at par with the contemporary military training institutions in the world. Having experienced the success of this venture, all countries in the region are desirous of seeking assistance from India in this respect.

Indian military diplomatic presence in the entire Eastern African Region is restricted to just one Defence Attaché from the Indian Navy in Kenya. He is not accredited to the landlocked countries of the region, viz Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo and South Sudan. There is a dire need to depute a Defence Attaché in Uganda and a military advisor at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

CONCLUSION

India and Uganda share common concerns and interests. Uganda looks forward to Indian assistance in all fields as well as trade. India seeks greater influence in Africa, access to raw materials and oil to meet its growing needs and security of its major lines of communication in the Arabian Sea. India stands to gain support from all the African countries in international fora such as the UN and access to the vast natural resources as well as the fast-emerging markets of the continent. As is evident, Indian military influence in the region is mainly in the field of training assistance; however, there is a vast scope for greater collaboration in this field. While African countries seek to professionalise their armed forces by better training, infrastructure and institutions, they wish to obtain the same at the lowest cost and with the least preconditions. They also seek cheaper weaponry, telecommunication equipment and electronics as well as spares for their aircraft, tanks and other equipment. In this regard India is the most suited destination for them. After the hiatus of the previous century, mutual relations between India and Uganda have seen an upswing in all fields. This momentum needs to be continued in the future.

“However long the night, dawn will break”

African Proverb

REFERENCES

1. Packenham Thomas, The Scramble for Africa, Random House Publications, New York, 1990.
2. Debnath Shaw Why Africa? January 13, 2016, http://www.idsa.in/idsacomments/why-africa_dshaw_130116, accessed 20 Dec 16
3. East African Community, https://www.eac.int/overview-of-eac, accessed 23 Mar 2020
4. World Economic Outlook Database, October 2019″. IMF.org. International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 27 February 2020
5. “World Development Indicators” https://data.worldbank.org/country/uganda, accessed 14 March 2020
6. Nakaweesi, Dorothy (25 October 2017). “Uganda posts highest coffee export volumes at 4.6 million bags”. Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 8 June 2018
7. Olingo, Allan (14 April 2018). “Uganda signs $4 billion refinery plant deal”. The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Accessed 8 June 2018
8. “2014 Statistical Abstract”, Uganda Bureau of Statistics, accessed 16 July 2015″ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2015, accessed 27 Mar 2020.
9. White Paper on Defence Transformation in Uganda, June 2004, https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/155172/uganda2004.pdf, accessed 27 Mar 2020

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Major General Vijay Pande, Vishisht Sewa Medal (Retired) has served in the Indian Army for 37 years. He has been part of frontline combat soldiers and has extensively served in active formations along both the Pakistani and Chinese borders in junior as well as senior ranking positions. He has also served for four and a half years in Africa as a United Nations’ Military Observer and as a trainer of forces. Among the important assignments he held in the Army are GOC 39 Mountain Division, Major General in Charge Logistics, HQ Western Command and Head of Training in the Senior Command and Staff College in Uganda. The General is a Postgraduate and M Phil in Defence and Strategic Studies and is currently pursuing a PhD in International Relations.

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[1] Packenham Thomas, The Scramble for Africa, Random House Publications, New York, 1990

[2] Debnath Shaw Why Africa? January 13, 2016, http://www.idsa.in/idsacomments/why-africa_dshaw_130116, accessed 20 Dec 16

[3] https://www.eac.int/overview-of-eac, accessed 23 Mar 2020

[4]  “World Economic Outlook Database, October 2019”. IMF.org. International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 27 February 2020

[5] https://data.worldbank.org/country/uganda, “World Development Indicators” accessed 14 March 2020

[6] Nakaweesi, Dorothy (25 October 2017). “Uganda posts highest coffee export volumes at 4.6 million bags”. Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 8 June 2018

[7] Olingo, Allan (14 April 2018). “Uganda signs $4 billion refinery plant deal”. The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Accessed 8 June 2018

[8]  “2014 Statistical Abstract”, Uganda Bureau of Statistics, accessed 16 July 2015″ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2015, accessed 27 Mar 2020.

[9] White Paper on Defence Transformation in Uganda, June 2004, https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/155172/uganda2004.pdf, accessed 27 Mar 2020

(An ode to the times)

Author – Major General Vijay Pande, VSM (Retd)
(Views are personal)

It is said in the military that bullets do not recognise ranks. Do not wear a helmet and the next round will find your head without checking your badges of rank on your shoulder. The same is true for the corona virus. It doesn’t care whether one is rich or poor, powerful or powerless, black or white, man or woman, Hindu or Muslim (or for that matter any other faith), the elite or the great unwashed; it simply goes for the unprotected lungs, whoever they might belong to. All of a sudden, money, power, connections, everything has been rendered irrelevant. The only precious commodities are ambulances, hospital beds, ventilators, oxygen and sadly funeral pyres and burial grounds. The Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar’s lament, “kitna hai badnaseeb Zafar dafn ke liye; do gaz zameen bhi na mili ku e yaar men” (How wretched is your fate, Zafar, that for your grave you couldn’t get two meagre yards of earth in your beloved’s land) is ringing true day after day for decrepit families desperately trying to give a dignified send off to their departed near and dear ones.

The vultures and the sharks fill the space left by those mandated to govern and administer. There is a price to everything. Right from trying to get an ambulance to take the sick to a hospital to the collection of his ashes from the cremation ground; everything has a premium attached, robbing those left behind not only of hope but also whatever meagre savings they had to get along in life. There are stories of selfless service too from NGOs and religious institutions among others, but these are too miniscule for a country of 1.3 billion crying for governance.

Statistics are misleading at best and at worst plain lies. Take the case of the number of infections and deaths. Some would like everyone to believe that we are far better off than those in the developed countries, others would paint the picture of an apocalypse with the same numbers. Some others would not disclose the true numbers at all, leaving people to figure out the true extent of the tragedy by counting funeral pyres, burials and bodies floating in rivers. Positions are firm on both sides of the debate and the news media as well as social media platforms are aflame with acerbic arguments and counter arguments.

Till the tragedy hits home. Suddenly numbers lose their meaning. After all, how does a “drop in positivity rate week on week” matter when you have a father or a wife or a husband or a son gasping for breath with a sudden drop in oxygen, and no ambulance to take him and no hospital ready to admit him. The same social media platforms then become a means of SOS messages sent by desperate relatives and responded to by well meaning friends. The lucky ones will get to a hospital but that’s where luck ends and God takes over. A seemingly recovering patient suddenly has a cardiac arrest and its all over. The luckier ones come back home thanking their stars.

Hindsight is 20/20. There is no end to experts blaming the government and everyone else for taking their eye off the ball. Pray, where were these experts and opinion makers when the tragedy was looming in front of all of us. Didn’t we all indulge ourselves a little believing that the worst was over. Why blame anyone else? Even now when we are in the middle of a perfect storm of our own making, our political leanings and ideology takes precedence over getting together and putting our collective shoulders to the wheel. Not a moment is lost in scoring a point and neither is the next moment wasted in giving an equally strong reply. On the ground it is a free for all. The virus has succeeded in many ways than one; most prominently in dividing us rather than uniting us in the face of a catastrophe.

There is unity in death though. Whether it is “ashes to ashes, dust to dust”, or “supurd e khak” or “panch tatva men vileen”, its all the same in the end. There is no other equaliser.

Author: Major General Vijay Pande, VSM

“If everyone is thinking alike then someone ain’t thinking”
Gen George Patton

The Covid pandemic has influenced lives like never before. Nothing has been left the same as the disease spreads like wildfire, engulfing new geographies everyday. Individuals, societies and nations continue to grapple with the consequences of this unseen enemy. Lockdowns were the initial responses and were believed to have slowed down the deluge. Unfortunately, the ground realities have been different, irrespective of the narratives of those in power. The unbearable impact of such draconian measures on economies worldwide soon brought in the realisation that the pandemic was not going away in a hurry and governance, businesses and livelihoods needed to adapt to the new normal if they wished to survive.

Among the many adaptations, “Work from Home” (WFH) has become the preferred choice for most businesses. Technology plays an enabler facilitating real time virtual interactions. There are advantages of this arrangement no doubt. Instant virtual connect en masse was a logistic and cost burden before Zoom and Google Meet invaded our cyber space. Meetings, interviews, virtual tours of field locations all could be addressed by this new phenomenon. The world seems to have found an answer to the woes of commuting to work and sitting in offices. The infatuation with the features and the ease of exploiting it has virtually (pun intended) tied most of the workforce to their laptops and mobile devices. No wonder many tout it as a win win for both the employer and the employee.

What is not often spoken of is the severe negative impact of the absence of direct leadership in the field due to this addiction to the screen. The proverbial “ear to the ground” and knowing “the pulse of the people” have become distant mirages. Personal interaction and presence at critical points to influence decision making cannot be replaced by virtual presence on a screen. The personal impact of leaders on their workforce on the ground has no alternative.

Surely if WFH is such a panacea then why did the world have to wait for COVID to adapt to it in such a large scale? Why was it not a common practice in the pre COVID era? Can the nation’s borders be guarded by WFH or can law and order be maintained by sitting in front of laptops only?

The answer is only one. There is no alternative to direct physical interaction.

Most of us also do not realise that incessant use of the virtual space often results in important activities being missed out. A visit to the field will result in many activities being undertaken simultaneously and also influence many other activities from the cognitive angle. The mere presence of a leader is enough to galvanise his men. No Zoom meeting can ever achieve this.

Clearly it is time to tie the shoelaces once again and walk ahead of our fears.

Author: Maj Gen Vijay Pande

“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy”.
Norman Schwarzkopf

Does the military training in the Indian Army need an overhaul? No, it does not; does it need a review like any other function; yes, it does.

From the pre independence era till date the educational standards and levels of awareness of officers as well as men has only risen upward as has been the case with any new generation. Earlier it was quite usual for an uneducated village boy to be recruited as a soldier. Today it is no longer the case. The candidate must be at least a matriculate or 12th pass to make it into the ranks. Similarly, one could become an officer a few decades ago even if he was a matriculate; today he must be a graduate. Officers are also conferred with a Post Graduate Degree on completion of the Staff College Course and M Phil after the Higher Command Course which was not the case earlier. Even those who do not have these degrees are well aware due to the age of the internet and the media explosion. The age of knowledge since the 80’s has put virtually all information in the hands of anyone who owns a smartphone. Knowledge is no longer the preserve of a select few as was the case in the Vedic era. So, it would be a fallacy to presume that the officers of today are not well informed.

Training needs also have been constantly revised based on emerging scenarios and methodologies as well as infrastructure revised. The upsurge of insurgency in Punjab in the 80’s and later on from the 90’s in J&K saw the coming up of Corps battle schools in respective zones. Indian Army Training Memoranda made out of the training pamphlets written by Capt JFC Fuller became the basis of the present day GS Publications. Additional subjects not adequately covered in the GS Publications found their way into the military mind through Army Training Memoranda.
So, what is lacking?

I will start with the Defence Services Staff College. It is no doubt a prestigious institution which many young officers aspire to join. The course is not by nomination (except in emergency or warlike situations), an officer has to voluntarily study and qualify the tough entrance exam to make the grade. Qualification would also mean doing better in the exam than his compatriots as the seats are limited. To add to it, the officer can avail a maximum of three chances and has to conform to the laid down age limit. Once he joins the hallowed precincts what is he taught? Here comes the ugly part. Almost 90 percent of the entire training is focussed on the tactical level of war. It means that the officer is essentially studying the same stuff which he went through during the Junior Command Course and sadly, will repeat it in the Senior Command Course. The pool of instructors includes smart Colonels and Brigadiers (and their equivalents from other services) but hardly any one from outside. There is no such thing as an instructor exchange programme with other countries and neither do we have any professors from reputed universities teaching an alternate point of view. So sadly, it is more of the same thing that the officer is going to get during his one year stay at the College. An opportunity where officers perspectives can truly be enhanced is not being fully utilised.
In my view, this is the pool of officers which includes potential generals and sorely needs to be made aware of the operational and strategic levels of war and the widened horizons these entail. They also must be trained in independent thinking, wargaming and decision making. They must do independent research work on at least two or three contemporary subjects and present their findings at the end of the course. In most of the Staff Colleges around the world the tactical level of war constitutes just about 40% of the training content. The rest focusses on the operational and strategic levels of war. This is also true for Staff Colleges in African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and others.

Let me take a few steps back. In most of the courses of instructions such as the weapons and equipment related courses, an instructor’s grade (I) is much sought after. The student can get an “I” grade if he is good at fault finding and does well in the Instructional Practice (IP) tests wherein he is required to conduct a class. Unfortunately, he is never tested in his capabilities of planning, organising and conducting training which is a fundamental responsibility of any commander. The “training by rote” mindset imposed by the British on the native army before independence continues to rule the roost. This mindset inhibits independent thinking and leads to “playing safe” mentality. The systems approach to training is yet to take root in our army though attempts are being made for the same since 2003-4. All armies including the British have adopted it long long ago, we are still sceptical about the concept. Today even primary school education is based on this approach, wonder what inhibits our army.

As a Division Commander I used to have regular interactions with young officers separately (as indeed I used to have with JCOs, middle ranking officers and Commanding officers separately as well). In one such interaction one Lieutenant said to me “Sir if you have to make it, you must toe the line”. This left me with a few worries about the climate that was prevailing. The young man could not be blamed. The hierarchy starting from me downward needed to introspect.

Professionalism constitutes three attributes. The first is intellect or wisdom, the ability to put things in perspective and take well informed decisions. This comes from self education and that given by the organisation. The second attribute is character, the ability to implement our plans on ground. The German General Hans Von Seekt said “the essential thing is action. Action has three stages: the decision born of thought, the order or preparation for execution, and the execution itself. All three stages are governed by the will. The will is rooted in character, and for the man of action character is of more critical importance than intellect. Intellect without will is worthless, will without intellect is dangerous”. The third attribute is attitude, the ability to swim upstream, to take it on when no one else is willing or able. A man having intellect and character in equal measure but with a negative attitude, is worthless.

Our military education and training must aspire to inculcate these attributes in equal measure in our officers.

“The best welfare of a soldier is first class training.”
Erwin Rommel

Author: Major General Vijay Pande, VSM (Retired)

(Views are personal)

Recap

In my post of 25 Jun 2020 with the same title, I had ventured to read the mind of the Chinese leadership during the ongoing crisis along the Indo Tibetan Border in Ladakh. I delved into historical examples of the Sino Soviet War of 1969 and the Sino Vietnam war of 1979 to understand the mind of the Chinese leadership. Let me reproduce some relevant extracts of my erstwhile post. (The complete writeup is available on my blog http://55nda.com/blogs/vijay-pande)

“In any military confrontation it is necessary to locate and identify the military hardware, troop deployments and activities of the enemy, using various means at our disposal. Interpretation of these gives us an assessment of the probable courses of action available to the opponent. The Duke of Wellington said, “the whole art of war consists of guessing what is on the other side of the hill”. However, what remains an enigma for all military planners is the intention of the enemy commanders. “What is playing on his mind” is the perpetual question to be answered. It is not an easy call to make. In this piece I will try to delve into some examples from recent history and try to get some pointers towards the “mind of the enemy commander”. There are no prizes for getting it right, the loser will end up eating crow!!

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There are striking similarities in China’s behaviour and actions on the Ussuri river and Vietnam with the happenings on its Indian border. Today China has upped the ante against India with somewhat similar thoughts. It is not happy with India’s growing influence, it is not happy with India’s growing proximity to the US, it is not happy with India opposing the BRI and more importantly it believes it can still “teach India a lesson”. Maybe it is also testing the limits of US support to India. War ultimately is all about “imposing one’s will upon the enemy” to quote Clausewitz. Knowing the enemy and more importantly assessing his intentions are crucial at all levels. In the end national resolve, superior leadership, superior planning and tenacity as well as courage of the man behind the gun will decide the outcome.”

Since then much water has flown down the Indus and Shyok rivers and the situation has rapidly developed.

Where do we stand today?

Let me stick out my neck a little further. After all the crow is still there for the eating!!

During the early years of the onset of the 21^st century, it was widely believed that China was avoiding confrontations on its periphery while it accelerated the relentless pace of economic growth and military modernisation which had started since 1978. It was also perceived that China would gain sufficient economic clout and military capability around 2020 to be able to assert itself while protecting its regional interests. In the long term, China was assessed to be preparing to overtake USA as the premier global power by 2040. So, China’s current assertiveness vis a vis its neighbours should come as no surprise. However, it is still some distance away as far as directly confronting the United States is concerned.

Now it is becoming increasingly clear that India’s assertion of its claim over entire Jammu and Kashmir including Aksai Chin in 2019 and the rapid development of the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulet Beg Oldi (DSDBO) Road was construed as an aggressive intent by the Chinese. India’s opposition to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor as it passed through areas considered by India as her territory also had not escaped the attention of the Chinese strategic planners.

With this as a backdrop, China executed what could be considered as a classic pre emptive manoeuvre by occupying tactically important stretches of territory all along the northern and central sub sectors in Ladakh. China managed to achieve strategic, operational and tactical surprise with this manoeuvre. At the strategic level, India had believed that diplomacy and personal chemistry at the highest leadership levels would ensure that a war with China could be averted as both countries were on a common trajectory on mutual relations and the resolution of the boundary question. At the operational level, India failed to read the Chinese intent behind massing offensive formations, artillery and airpower within striking distance in the Tibetan plateau under the garb of training (a very cliched ruse indeed) and at the tactical level the true intent of the ground forces only started becoming evident after the deadly clashes at Galwan, which were unprecedented in many ways. For one, the choice of weaponry by the Chinese soldiers indicated a pre meditated intent. At the same time, the Chinese also probably underestimated the Indian response and were doubtless taken aback by the grit and fighting spirit of the Indian soldiers.

The Chinese had managed to seize the initiative by this initial manoeuvre. Calibrated belligerence by Pakistan simultaneously also sent unmistakeable signals of a looming collusive threat. The intention was to coerce India to accept the ‘status quo post’ and consequently successive rounds of negotiations at the military and diplomatic levels made no headway. A psychological war campaign was also unleashed by the Chinese to paint India as the aggressor and the weaker side. China also exploited the political divide and ideological freedom in India which saw opinions sharply divided and blatantly propagated in the TRP hungry media channels by hyperventilating anchors. Retired diplomats, military officers, ‘investigative’ journalists and politicians freely dished out narratives depending upon which side of the political and ideological divide they were on, much to the glee of the adversary. No wonder the credibility of the Indian media and that of the ‘experts’ has fallen to an all time low.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, the nation began to put its might behind the armed forces. On the ground, the Indian armed forces went about their task in the only manner befitting a supremely trained, motivated and professional force. It is true that India was initially not sufficiently balanced operationally, tactically or logistically for any counter manoeuvre in the theatre at that time. Once adequate forces and logistics were built up, the Indian army executed what could be again construed as a brilliant pre emptive manoeuvre to secure the heights on the Kailash ranges east of Chushul and south of the Pangong Tso. India also occupied some features dominating the Chinese positions on the northern bank of the lake. The occupation of the Kailash ranges in the Rezangla and Richenla areas gave India many advantages. It provided depth to the main defence line in the Chushul sector and provided a firm base for any future offensive operations along the Spangur gap. It also reinforced India’s intent to stand up to the Chinese coercion. Employment of the Vikas Battalion subtly signalled a possible review of India’s approach towards Tibet.

So What Now?

Clearly the bluffs have been called and the gloves are off. The cycle of manoeuvres and counter manoeuvres could continue in other sectors as well. China will be wary to let India retain the tactical advantage in the Spangur Gap area. However, offensive actions to evict the Indian positions on the Kailash range will get more and more difficult as time passes since the defender would consolidate his defences and the onset of winter will compound the difficulties of the attacker manifold. While the situation remains fragile, the shooting war has not yet started and efforts are on to avert it.

A rapid offensive by the Chinese special forces followed by mechanized columns and infantry backed up by sufficient artillery and airpower to recapture the positions on the Kailash Ranges appears quite probable before the winter sets in.

At the same time it must not be forgotten that survival on those heights through the winter will also be a major logistical challenge for Indian troops and adequate preparations will have to be made within the ever reducing time window before the passes on the main arterial highways go under the snow. India has the advantage of vast experience of planning and conduct of operations in extreme high altitude areas. This will stand us in good stead in the weeks and months ahead.

At the same time, a bit of increased alertness and shedding of complacency will come in handy.

“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”
                                                                                                  Sun Tzu

Author: Major General Vijay Pande, VSM (Retd)
(Views are personal)

“Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons.”
General Douglas MacArthur

A hard nosed Commanding General of a Division (most of them are like that) was on a visit to an Infantry Battalion for the first time after his arrival. The General carried a “no nonsense” reputation and his aversion for “bullshit” was known to all. Being the first visit, the Battalion had readied thoroughly, and no stone had been left unturned. The Commanding Officer had prepared a detailed briefing for the visitor. After the preliminary introductions, the CO started his briefing. He began by describing the history of the Battalion at great length but to his consternation he sensed that the General did not seem too impressed. He thereafter went on to extol the traits of his soldiers who came from a particular region and described them virtually as nothing short of supermen. Then he went on to declare that his Battalion was ready to undertake any mission at zero notice. The old General had had enough of it but did not show his angst to the audience. After a while he mildly interrupted the monologue and said to the CO, “tell me about your Sections and weapon detachments, the training done by them, standards achieved and the number of rounds fired by each one of them last month”. (For the uninitiated, a Section is a squad of ten men commanded by a Havildar and it is the smallest fighting team in the organisational hierarchy of a Battalion). The discomfort was evident all around as bluster had to be replaced by facts. After the briefing was over, the General went to the firing range and asked the CO to get all the men present in the unit to fire five rounds each “grouping fire”. The results were astonishing to the CO himself. The following day a complete battle physical efficiency test was held for the whole battalion. The results were no different. A similar situation prevailed with the snipers, mortar and rocket launcher detachments. The General was not surprised.

         The net effects of “tall talk” were clearly evident. A fine outfit had been reduced to a charade due to misplaced priorities. Sure enough, in about two months’ time the battalion was back on track, mainly because the CO had seen the mistake and had resolved to rectify it sooner than later.

          Rewind to 30 years earlier. A senior General had come visiting to a Battalion that was preparing itself for an operational deployment. Then also the CO went on making tall claims to impress the visitor. The good General heard him out patiently and then replied in Gurkhali, “Kura garera hoina, timi lai ground ma herchhu” (It is no use talking, I will see you on the ground).

          The military debacle of the 1962 Sino Indian war is well known. Equally well known also is the sterling performance of the Indian armed forces in the 1965 Indo Pak war and later in the 1971 war. Before the 1965 war Pakistan had acquired the some of the latest weaponry from USA. These included the top of the line fighter aircraft of the time, the F 86 Sabre jet and the F 104 Starfighter supersonic fighter bomber. On ground the Pakistani armoured corps had been equipped with the M 48 Patton, a world class main battle tank. These acquisitions, combined with Pakistan’s assessment of the state of readiness and morale of the Indian armed forces after the 1962 war and a false sense of superiority of the Pakistani soldier vis a vis his Indian counterpart (“one Pakistani soldier is equal to four Indian soldiers”, such was their belief) emboldened them enough to launch “Operation Gibraltar” with the aim of seizing the ultimate prize, Kashmir.

           What is not so well known is the quiet resolve of the Indian nation to quickly reequip the armed forces, raise new divisions and restore morale in a short span of three years between 1962 and 1965. It was a cold introspection into what had gone wrong and how it was to be set right followed by the task of restoration in right earnest. There was no accompanying hype or hoopla, no tall talk or bluster and no obfuscation. Predictably, the guns of the Indian soldier did all the talking in the war which followed. The Sabres were made to bite the dust by the diminutive Gnat fighter planes of the Indian Air Force flown by stalwarts such as the Keelor brothers, Trevor and Denzil. The famed Patton tanks met their graveyard at Khemkaran in Punjab when they faced the recoilless guns of soldiers like Havildar Abdul Hamid and commanders like General Harbaksh Singh who did what he had to do to stop the enemy in his tracks. If his seniors disagreed with him, he couldn’t care less and had the spine to say so.

           Militaries need to constantly remember that their business end is not bombast, it is the muzzle of the gun. Tall talk and hype does not impress anyone, even if it does it is only for a short period. Past achievements are good for they inspire the present lot to excel, but that is where it ends. One is only as good as he is today and that is the only reality. The example of the paratrooper who must consider even his 1000th jump a new jump is most apt.  

          The dramatic arrival of the Rafale, (literally the “gust of wind”) has set adrenaline soaring all around. It is heartening to see the spurt in pride and national morale this long awaited acquisition has resulted in. Without doubt this is one of the deadliest war machines in the world now in the hands of some of the ablest airmen. The young media warriors in their frenzy would like us to believe that India’s enemies are already trembling in their pants as their destruction is preordained. Let not undue hype raise expectations beyond reality. Decades of indifference towards military acquisitions and a paltry defence budget allocation year after year, which is just sufficient to keep the war machine running cannot be wished away by nationalistic bluster. These five planes are definitely a huge force multiplier, but they are not the panacea and are certainly not enough to meet the grave challenges we face on our borders from our enemies. We must give due emphasis to national security during periods of dormancy and ensure timely equipping of our forces if we are to be prepared for emergencies.

And let’s cut the hype.

Author Major General Vijay Pande (Retd)(Views are personal. Information is from open sources)

In his book with the same name, the author Joe Abercrombie referred to cannons as the last argument of kings. Cannons don’t lie. The round will fall where it is meant to. No half truths.
During the Moscow Conference of 1944, Stalin was known to have interrupted Churchill’s speech explaining why he defended Poland because of its Christian outlook, by asking, “how many divisions does the Pope have”.

The point I wish to make is that as an element of the comprehensive national power of a nation, the military constitutes the sharp tip of the arrow, the blunt face of the hammer. The military must say it as it is. No mincing of words, for it is the lives of soldiers that are involved and indeed the survival of the nation is at stake. Political leanings or an attempt to appear more loyal to the king than the king himself must not colour a soldier’s professional outlook whether during service or later on. If political leanings or desire for the crumbs of power are more important, then the trappings of the military identity should be kept aside. Soldiers earn the respect of their countrymen for their courage, both physical and moral.

Speaking one’s mind out does not make one any less patriotic than the other. This simple truth should not be lost in the nationalistic hype. Otherwise we will be no different than the Third Reich of Goebbels and Himmler. Knowledge is no longer the preserve of the select few and this fallacy collapsed long ago with the dawn of the information age. Everyone is equally aware and probably more. To consider the ordinary citizen as naive is the greatest folly.

Author: Major General Vijay Pande, VSM (Retd)

(Views are personal. Information is from open sources)

“They were coming at Grenadier Romer at a steady trot, as determined a group as Romer thought he would ever encounter. Romer could see in a flash, by the way the men carried their weapons, by the look in their eyes and by the way their eyes darted around, all white behind the black masks, that they were highly trained killers who were determined to have their way that night. Who was he to argue with them? Romer turned and ran . . . shouting ..… ‘Paratroopers!’”

(An account of the Glider Landing of ‘D’ Company, 2^nd Oxfordshire Light Infantry, British 6^th Airborne Division on the European Continent, 6 June 1944, courtesy, Stephen E. Ambrose, “Pegasus Bridge”)

This audacious glider borne operation was launched by the British paratroopers of the 6^th Airborne Division to capture a vital bridge over the Orne river in France in the early hours of 6 June 1944 as a prelude to the famous Allied forces’ landings on the beaches of Normandy on ‘D’ Day. The paratroopers were launched from Southern England and flew over the English Channel in gliders to land behind the German lines in northern France even as the main Allied forces prepared for the amphibious landings on the beaches. ‘D’ Company actually succeeded in achieving its objective with only four platoons out of the planned six as the remaining two had missed the landing area. But numbers did not matter at that time. What mattered was the complete surprise this small body of troops achieved against a much larger adversary who had been stunned by this sudden bolt from the blue. This operation marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany as Allied troops set foot on the European mainland as part of ‘Operation Overlord’. One year later, Germany was defeated, and the War came to an end.

A few years earlier, a force of approximately 500 German paratroopers assaulted the Belgian fortress at Eben Emael and nearby bridges on the Albert Canal which were held by more than twice this number of Belgian troops. The fortress was considered impregnable with shell proof bunkers and artillery emplacements. It was well defended as it stood on the gateway of the German advance through Belgium and the Low Countries. The German airborne assault forces were organised into task forces of approximately a hundred soldiers each, led by Lieutenants and seconded by Sergeants. These task forces landed silently near the objectives using gliders and swiftly brought the Belgian soldiers to their knees, capturing or killing most of them before they could even realise what had hit them. Again, numbers did not matter. It was a smaller force that had overwhelmed an adversary larger in numbers by achieving complete surprise.

During the Battle of Gazala in 1942, the Afrika Korps under the German Commander Erwin Rommel defeated a much larger Eighth Army of the Allies as he swept across the Sahara Desert in North Africa. The Allies under General Auchinleck were predictable in their approach and were no match to the wile and battlefield intuition of the redoubtable ‘Desert Fox’ who chose timing and surprise over numerical superiority to defeat his adversaries. In fact Rommel is known to have said to a captured British Army officer “What difference does it make if you have two tanks to my one, when you spread them out and let me smash them in detail?”

There are numerous such examples in the history of warfare wherein a small body of highly trained troops achieved gains out of proportion when they struck at a place and time where they were least expected. The adage “three men in the enemy’s rear are better than fifty in front” has been proven time and time again and shatters the comfort of superior numbers.

Planning parameters have been developed for calculating required ratios of attacking forces to those defending. Ratios of three to one and even nine to one are considered necessary to capture defended positions depending on the difficulties of terrain and climatic conditions. The relevance of force ratios is however, only upto a point and no more. Beyond that the imponderables take over. The American General Arthur Collins in his book “Common Sense Training” says he has rarely seen a company capture a hill with more than sixty percent of its strength. 

The idea is not to discount the importance of numbers. Numbers are important to the military planner who must work out the correct allotment of forces and their employment. They are equally important to the logistician who must ensure that the forces are neither understocked nor overburdened. Numbers are also critical for the engineers who build bridges as well as roads and plan demolitions, as also to the signallers who setup the critical communications networks. Numbers no doubt are vital in the science of war planning.

The art of war, however, relies on much more than numbers. Leadership, morale, timing, intuition, surprise and deception and sometimes just sheer guts are some of the many unquantifiable factors that can tilt the scales irrespective of the strength of numbers. ‘Mother Luck’ or the ‘Hand of God’ also cannot be discounted in deciding the fate of many a battle. The battle of Chhamb in the 1971 Indo Pak war was one such bitterly fought contest wherein luck played a role. On 9 Dec 1971, just when the Pakistanis were planning to attack Pallanwala across the Manawar Tawi, the GOC of Pakistan’s attacking 23 Infantry Division, Maj Gen Iftikhar Khan Janjua, was killed in a helicopter crash on the frontline. This unexpected disruption in the command setup in the middle of the operations put unscheduled brakes on the Pakistani offensive which was already facing the heat of Indian resistance and tottering. The next man on the spot to take charge temporarily was Brig Kamal Matin who was unable to cope up with the sudden turn of events. Maj Gen Umar who was appointed the new GOC thereafter simply could not muster the resolve to fight on and called off the offensive.  

Deception is another key factor in deciding the course of battles. It is indeed the primary weapon of warfare of all major armies and has been used in practically every successful military operation since the Trojan War to the present times. The Russians use the term “Maskirovka” (mask) to describe their doctrine of deception. The seventh century Chinese scholar Zhang Yu said, “although the root in the use of military force is based on benevolence and righteousness, for them to be victorious they must rely on deception”. Ruses, feints, misinformation, concealment and demonstrations are some of the preferred means of deception.

Military leaders must shun predictability in planning and constantly look for newer ways to keep the enemy off balance. Reinforcing the enemy’s perceptions, making the enemy believe what he would like to believe and not what he should be believing must be the start point of all military plans. A battle plan without a corresponding cover plan to mislead the enemy is no plan. The more unpredictable the plan, the better the chances of success. The lessons of Troy must not be forgotten.

“Great commanders have always had that indispensable element of legerdemain, an original and sinister touch, which leaves the enemy puzzled as well as beaten”

                                                                                                                                                        Winston Churchill

Author: Major General Vijay Pande, VSM (Retd)
(Views are personal)

“There’s was not to reason why,
There’s was but to do and die …”

(The Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava, Alfred, Lord Tennyson)

Sepoy Gurtej Singh, a 23 year old from Mansa in Punjab went down fighting at the Galwan river as only a Sikh soldier could, using his Kirpan to despatch his opponents to the other world. For the family, their world came crashing down with his death. A grateful nation bade a tearful goodbye with full honours to the martyr. The state government promised financial assistance to the family. The media brought the story to our homes and then moved on to the next bit of breaking news. The village may possibly erect a memorial or a gate or name a road after him. The family will live to recount the saga of honour of their brave son/brother as the only salve to an otherwise unbearable grief.
One thing, however, is certain. In the days to come, the family of the martyr will be helped to pick up the pieces by none other than the Unit to which he belonged. The Commanding Officer will ensure that his family receives all the benefits that are due and help them tide over the trauma so that they can get on with their lives. The fallen soldier will not be forgotten by the Unit, ever. His name will be on the Roll of Honour along with his photograph in the Quarter Guard of the Unit for generations to come and for all his comrades to see.
On the icy heights of Ladakh, in the mountains and forests of Kashmir and also in the scalding heat of the desert, the soldier stands guard, protecting his country against its enemies. He is fully aware that a fate similar to Gurtej Singh might befall him someday and is proud to face it. This is what after all he had sworn to do when he wore his uniform for the first time. What are his thoughts as he sees the crisis looming in front of him today and the happenings back home? Does he think about his family, yes often. Does he think about his country, oh yes, often. Does he think about the job at hand, well, all the time! After all there is so much to be done! The weapon must be cleaned, the magazines must not jam in the middle of a fight, rounds of machine guns must be belted, tank and artillery ammunition as well as the guns cleaned, the ropes must be checked, the personal equipment and boots must fit well and be repaired if need be. On top of it there are the radio set batteries to be charged, the first aid kits to be refilled and of course emergency rations to be kept ready. Then there are the briefings, rehearsals and patrolling…. pray who has the time to even think about dying!!!
In the mofussil towns and villages of India there are thousands upon thousands of men who once served in the army. Most of them retired as Sepoys, Non Commissioned Officers and Junior Commissioned Officers. All of them proudly prefix their name with only one word that is universally respected, “Fauji”. The roadside eatery on the highway run by a retired soldier will invariably be called the “Fauji Dhaba”; the driver of the truck, if he happens to be one of them, will write in bold ‘Fauji” on the windscreen. They are the silent majority of veterans, dignified, least vocal, proud and respected in their community. They are the connection between the serving soldiers and the common man. Countless young boys throng military recruitment rallies every month with a hope of becoming one of them some day.
Among the veteran officers there are some who left the army early, others left midway while many superannuated after completing the full length of service. All of them contribute in their own way towards the society and are generally venerated by the citizens. All of them have perspectives, have better access to information and are knowledgeable as well as articulate. Some of them appear in the media and give their valuable views. To the common citizen, the veterans appearing in the media or postulating in gatherings as subject matter experts represent the military itself as he does not get to hear from the serving officers’ fraternity for obvious reasons. The word of the veterans therefore has immense significance for the citizens who are not so much aware of matters military and taken for what it is.
However, seeing some of them taking sides in openly politically partisan or communally charged debates is disconcerting to the public at large, to say the least and does not show the military establishment in good light. Frequent sniping to score points and vicious personal attacks on each other in full media glare must be giving a sense of dismay to those in service at the frontline. Some of them frequently trip over each other trying to prove how much more they know than the others, unwittingly revealing militarily sensitive information which should be best kept with the military and no one else.
Some very senior veterans who were highly respected while in service by their colleagues and juniors alike at times seem to lose their sense of balance in a desperate attempt to win an argument. Otherwise why on earth would someone take to abusive or derogatory language on public fora? Aren’t they the same people who once mentored ‘Gentlemen Cadets’ so that they could become “Officers and Gentlemen’?
Many have chosen politics as their second calling like so many other veterans who select varied professions after retirement from the service. The least one expects from these worthies is that they remember that the only religion of the soldier whom they once proudly led, is his Uniform and the only colour that soldier recognises is the colour of Blood. The soldier respected him for that, was proud to call him his Boss and was ready to walk to his death on his orders. Let not political or any other expediency play riot with this sacred sentiment of the soldier.
After all, “discretion should remain the better part of valour”.
The men at the helm of affairs as well as those at the front have a job to do. Let them do it. Such unseemly distractions are the last thing they need. They need all the support the country can give them.
When the storm is looming on the horizon, the wise brace for it together and stand united. Let good sense prevail.
“Old soldiers never die,
Never die, never die,
Old soldiers never die,
They simply fade away”
(British army soldiers’ folklore song)

Author: Major General Vijay Pande, VSM (Retd)
(Views are personal. Information is from open sources)

“When Barbarossa begins, the earth will hold its breath”
Adolf Hitler
(as quoted by Alan Clark in ‘Barbarossa’)

And indeed, the world held its breath, as three million men were launched into what would be the largest known invasion in land warfare – Hitler’s invasion of Soviet Russia in June 1941, codenamed Operation Barbarossa. The invasion began with thousands of guns hurling tons of TNT into the hapless Soviet positions and swarms of Stukas, Messerschmitts as well as Junker fighter aircraft raining hell from the sky. Three Army Groups, North, Centre and South tore across the German boundary with Soviet East European territories. Army Group North, Commanded by General Ritter Von Leeb was headed 800 miles away towards Leningrad, Army Group Centre under General Feder Von Bock set for Moscow 700 miles off and Army Group South led by General Gerd Von Rundstedt had Stalingrad as the objective, 1300 miles away. The German blitz caught the Red Army completely unprepared and they were slaughtered as the advancing forces swept across the steppes of eastern Europe. After all Hitler had given clear directions to his commanders. “The war against Russia will be such that it cannot be conducted in a knightly fashion. This struggle is one of ideologies and racial differences and will have to be conducted with unprecedented, unmerciful, and unrelenting harshness. All officers will have to rid themselves of obsolete ideologies. I know that the necessity for such means of waging war is beyond the comprehension of you generals but . . . I insist absolutely that my orders be executed without contradiction”.
The account of World War II is too well known to be repeated. There were ignominies galore during the War. Britain faced the humiliation of retreating across the English Channel at Dunkirk and the French pride had been crushed by the stomping of Nazi boots on the Champs Elysees in Paris. On the Eastern Front town after town fell to the Germans and thousands of Red Army soldiers were slaughtered mercilessly or taken prisoner, leading the Soviet commander Zhukov to bluntly order all commanders down the line to stay put and fight where they were or be prepared to be shot in the Red Square at Moscow. On the other side of the globe, the United States could not believe its eyes at the utter devastation wrought on its Pacific fleet by the Japanese Admiral Yamamoto’s aircraft at Pearl Harbour in Oahu, Hawaii.
Once the tide turned, the fall of Berlin and Hitler’s suicide, the ignonimous death of Mussolini and the dropping of atom bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki brought an end to this dance of death. What was the price of the war? Almost 80 million dead, cities reduced to rubble, fields scorched, economies devastated and the effects of nuclear radiation festering among generations to come in the two cities struck by the atom bombs. It was a scale of savagery and brutality the world had never seen before!
What could be the reason for the world to go into this suicidal tragedy? The seeds were sown with the idea of ‘Lebensraum’ (living space), the expansionist dreams of the megalomaniac Hitler and his cohorts who believed that German territories were not sufficient for their population and more needed to be occupied. This was encouraged indirectly in no small measure by the appeasement of this tyrant by the European powers during the decade preceding the War. Germany had embarked on a frantic militarization programme in the early 30s which virtually went unchallenged. By 1935 the process of “Nazification” of Germany was complete and a totalitarian regime was firmly in place. Thereafter, Hitler occupied Rhineland in 1936 and Austria in 1938. The British accepted this blatant expansionism after extracting a promise of “no more territorial demands in Europe” from Hitler. This promise was thrown to the winds as quickly as it was made when Hitler occupied Czechoslovakia and Poland in quick succession in 1939. The rest is history.
Eighty years later there is a stark reminder. Another hegemon is on the rise in the Eastern Hemisphere.
Over the last thirty years since the end of the Cold War, the Asia Pacific region has seen the inexorable rise of China as the primary challenger to the United States. It has relentlessly increased its influence globally while at the same time it attempts to curb the reach of its adversaries. Territorially, China seeks to continually extend its borders while claiming territories belonging to other countries as its own. It started with the occupation of Tibet in 1951 and has followed it up with a long list of territorial claims on its periphery. Territory is indeed in the middle of China’s disputes with its neighbours. China claims the Senkaku islands of Japan in the East China Sea as its own. It is firmly opposed to Taiwan’s existence as an independent entity and propagates the “one China” policy, favouring reunification of Taiwan with the mainland. China is against any form of autonomy to Hongkong and believes it must be completely amalgamated with the rest of the country. China lays claim practically to the entire South China Sea including the Spratly and Paracel Islands as well as the Gulf of Tonkin. Along its border with India, China lays claim to entire Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. Bhutan is not spared either with China still claiming territories along the border as its own. In all these disputes, China believes that the settlement must be on its terms and the claims of the other countries have little or no relevance. To achieve its ends, China is ready to wait it out, browbeat or buy out its adversaries or apply any other means at its disposal.
Significantly, China has not involved itself in any major military confrontation with its neighbours since its war with Vietnam in 1979 although it continues to pressurise its neighbours to do its bidding. China’s preferred weapon of coercion with its other neighbours is its economic might. In the present standoff with India in Ladakh however, there is a difference. China is openly flaunting the threat of use of its military power in the crisis, having amassed substantial forces in the region to back its moves along the Line of Actual Control between the two countries.
Great Powers do not hesitate to go to war as and when their vital national interests are threatened. The United States has been at war in one part of the globe or another throughout much of its existence since independence. The costs, both economic and human have no doubt been immense, but that is the price the Superpower must pay to retain its pre eminence in the world order.
Nations aspiring for Great Power status must also be ready to bite the bullet should the need arise. The Indian Prime Minister’s statement that the age of expansionism is over could not have come at a more appropriate moment and has signalled India’s intent unambiguously. Clearly this nibbling, creeping invasion and salami slicing by China on our borders and any other form of coercion cannot be allowed to go on unchallenged any longer. India must stand up to the Dragon. In the century of the Asia Pacific, it is India’s defining moment.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
George Santayana