Month: July 2021
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Sino Indian Logjam and Tang Ping by Lt Gen P R Shankar (R)
Part 1 – The Military Dimension Reports have alluded to PLA transgressing the LAC and occupation of locations / heights in violation of accepted terms of the recent military agreements. One report also claimed that a clash had taken place at Galwan. There have been many reports of PLA build up and preparations in…
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Talk on PGURUS on Afghanistan
I had an interesting chat with Mr Sree Iyer of P Gurus on Afghanistan a while back. I explain the interests of Pakistan and China in Afghanistan and put the withdrawal of USA in the correct perspective in the current situation as it is evolving.
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The Dark and Deep Woods of National Defence By Lt Gen P R Shankar (R)
Former prime PM Manmohan Singh recently said ‘The road ahead is even more daunting than during the 1991 economic crisis and the nation would need to recalibrate its priorities to ensure a dignified life for all Indians’. He also quoted the last lines from Robert Frosts poem ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ which say…
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The Road Ahead for Taliban by Lt Gen P R Shankar (R)
Everyone expects Taliban, supported by Pakistan, which is backed by China to sweep into power in Afghanistan. That is the dark visage floating up. As the US forces are leaving the country , the current momentum and tempo of the Taliban offensive suggests an inevitability of their return. There is sense of return to the…
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China in the Bull(y) Shop by Lt Gen P R Shankar (R)
The 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party should have been a great celebration of ‘joie de vivre’ for the Chinese people. There were two shades to it. The media blitz kept promoting the CCP approved version of China’s history. The celebration had great pageantry, pomp and powerful speeches. On one side Xi Jinping delivered a speechhighlighting…
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AFGHANISTAN – WHAT NEXT
Aadi and I discuss the scenarios that are likely to be evolving in Afghanistan. As a result of the evolving scenarios, India has certain strategic interests which it needs to address….
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Clashless in Ladakh by Lt Gen P R Shankar (R)
The report in Business Standard states that Chinese troops have again crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh at several places and that there has been at least one clash between the two sides on the Galwan River. This was reiterated by the author of the report in a video interview. The Indian Army released a statement refuting the report…
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Afghanistan : The Evolving Kaleidoscope For Pakistan and The Window for India by Lt Gen P R Shankar (R)
As the US forces are exiting Afghanistan ahead of their timetable, the Taliban offensive has gained tempo in the northeast and south of the country. It is inexorably bringing the country closer to the expected chaos and an impending civil war. Taliban has claimed control of 85% of the country. Some reports suggest it is around…
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Reorienting Indian Army for Theatrisation By Lt Gen PR Shankar ( R )
This is the seveth article on threatrisation. Previous articles can be accessed by clicking on the following titles The Core of Theatrisation Thoughts on a Webinar on Theatrisation Jointmanship – Pluck The Low Hanging Fruits Some Ideas From The Nichols-Goldwater Act Theatrisation – Are We Ready ? Prickles of Theatrisation of Commands Shapes of Theatres Multi Domain…
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The Neighbourhood Watch : Afghanistan and Pakistan
In this edition of the ‘Neighbourhood Watch’, Aadi and I discuss the evolving situation in Afghanistan, its effect on Pakistan and what should India’s outlook be. Very clearly there are opportunities ahead as there are pitfalls. We need to evolve clear strategies to navigate the rocky road ahead.