tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post3814275313732058759..comments2024-03-28T05:22:10.255-07:00Comments on Broadsword by Ajai Shukla - Strategy. Economics. Defence.: Sino–Indian tensions: A Border in LimboBroadswordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13076780076240598482noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-36395920055375860912014-01-20T10:04:48.996-08:002014-01-20T10:04:48.996-08:00When the Government does not understand military r...When the Government does not understand military rationale and ground realities and when majority of the senior military officers are without any experience of operational command in actual war, results cannot be different. <br />"Thorat Plan" anticipated PLA attack two years before it actually took place. Government was duly made aware of the areas that could be under attack and their timeline schedule (actual attack followed this timeline to the last detail). The plan was rejected and funds not allotted to hastily put 'trip wire' defence in place. VK Krishna Menon ridiculed Gen SPP Thorat during his presentation of the Plan to select cabinet members. Admiral B.S. Soman and former PM Mr. Morarji Desai confirmed this to me individually.<br />Chinese PLA had limited goals in 1962. They were aware that come winter when the passes close, they cannot logistically support their forces. So, their timely withdrawal was fore planned. Indian forces at Sela were well entrenched and supplied - they could have held the line till winter but, they left all the equipment and ran due to low moral and poor leadership. PLA collected all the equipent,guns etc., made a detailed inventory - (including serial numbers) and 'presented' all the equipment back to Indian Army along with the POWs. This ceremony was duly filmed for record and posterity. When I saw the film, tears could not be held back. If this was not 'humiliation' then what was it? I pray that our people are aware of the truth and the true history. Then our responses will be more rational and measured. <br />Our Army and it's leaders have learnt a great lesson in 1962 and are definitely a potent force to be recon with today. <br />I just hope that our general public, IAS babus and politicians are better informed. and duly concerned.Capt. S.R. Bhatenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-65673784237910941022014-01-19T23:39:04.872-08:002014-01-19T23:39:04.872-08:00Colonel Shukla:
I want to address your comment th...Colonel Shukla:<br /><br />I want to address your comment that the 1962 war with China was an "humiliating defeat" for India. How so?? India was not anticipating an attack, and so Indian troops on the border, outnumbered by more than 8-1 and outgunned, were overwhelmed. After the Chinese invasion, but while Indian territory was still occupied, the Indian Parliament passed a declaration that the Chinese invaders would be driven from Indian soil. The fact that the Chinese retreated before the Indian Army had the opportunity to fight them (resulting in India getting back all the territory it had before the Chinese invasion) does not make the 1962 war any less of a victory for India. <br /><br />There are clearly lessons that India needed to learn from 1962, as it was not prepared for the 1962 assault. However, the only "win" by China may have been convincing the Indian media (and others) that it won the war.<br /><br />kulari94noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-45196061152583403322014-01-19T09:01:21.546-08:002014-01-19T09:01:21.546-08:00It is sad when people talk or comment without seri...It is sad when people talk or comment without serious studies,analysis and deep understanding of the real situation or issues. <br />Colonel Shukla is RIGHT. He is not a defeatist and certainly is not suggesting that we live under China's shaddow. But,how about us honestly scrutinizing the validity of our Government's stance? Why is Hendersonn-Brook Report is still under wraps since 1963? What has our Government to hide? <br />Let us be strong and resolute in our approach. Jingoism however,has no place in today's real politik. That would only lead to another disaster.Capt. S.R.Bhatenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-10040518700629177342014-01-17T18:42:37.194-08:002014-01-17T18:42:37.194-08:00Mr.Shukla, Thank God you retired from the Army, yo...Mr.Shukla, Thank God you retired from the Army, you would have accepted defeat without firing a round, the Skihs defeated the Mughals when even the mighty Rajputs had failed, the Marathas gave british a tough fight, we are no walk over and if we are so be it lets give the Chinese a fight. If India is so afraid of China they are taking an inch by inch, so lets show some balls. Battles are won by men with Balls, not scared thinkers, waiting for magic mantras to appear. India needs a strong leader and we might have one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-81726565899010856252014-01-17T08:29:28.966-08:002014-01-17T08:29:28.966-08:00As Col. Shukla says, without roads India's for...As Col. Shukla says, without roads India's forward buildup is pointless. That roads still don't exist where needed 52 years after the war just shows what kind of country we live in.<br /><br />As to negotiations: why should we negotiate? China had its chance to negotiate in the 1950s. Instead it used force to siege Indian territory. There is nothing to negotiate except a Chinese withdrawal from India.<br /><br />Unless India plans to play the role of vassal to Imperial China in the coming New World Order, I'd suggest the GOI build the roads on war footing and fund defense properly. 1.9% of GDP does not cut the mustard when you have an opponent with a GDP going to $11-trillion and who is spending ~$120-billion this year.Ravihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01028420171993289655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-18505091092051577292014-01-17T05:47:05.761-08:002014-01-17T05:47:05.761-08:00Better explained with a picture of map. Picture wo...Better explained with a picture of map. Picture worth more than 1000 words Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-6764006030927482732014-01-17T05:10:55.815-08:002014-01-17T05:10:55.815-08:00Colonel Sir, Excellent analysis of the present sit...Colonel Sir, Excellent analysis of the present situation. I interviewed Brig. John Dalvi, Lt. Gen. SPP Thorat, Admiral B.S.Soman, Mr. Morarji Desai and discussed the Sino-Indian border dispute several military officers such as Lt. Gen Ranjitsingh Dayal, Brigadier Pitre, and even met Mr. Neville Maxwell. Our Political leadership of that time - mainly Mr. Nehru and VK Krishna Menon failed us misarably. We trusted the Russians blinndly and underestimated Chinese resolve. In fact there were many positive signals in circles that mattered that China would have settled for the LOC then ie - Asksai Chin in exchange of MacMohan Line and Arunachal Pradesh. These overtures were rejected through arrogance and naive ideas. The whole history of the sub continent would have been different had we been confident of extending an arm and reach an accommodation. We pray that some future Indian Government is confident enough to reach a final settlement.Capt. S.R. Bhatenoreply@blogger.com