Praful Bakshi

India is currently facing a combined threat on the east and North East by China and in the west by Pakistan. This, along with a Parliamentary Committee report that the fighting strength of the IAF fighter squadrons had dropped from 42 to 30 is ominous.

It was welcome news for those concerned with national security, especially the maritime one, that INS Vikrant 2, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier had successfully completed its five-day sea trial or its maiden sea voyage. Built at a cost of Rs 23,000 crore, it finished sea trials ahead of its planned induction by August 2022.

Though the Chinese president spoke of peace and tranquillity with India, his actions belie this. The slyness shown by China should make India change its policies and defence preparedness.

Repeated attacks on the forces by Maoists have shown that counter strategies haven’t worked. Without a proper security doctrine, clear leadership and good intelligence, this war will see more bloodshed.

China’s expansion in the South China Sea has riled many nations which have come together to form groupings such as Quad and a future Indo-Pacific one. The recently concluded Malabar Exercise was also part of this strategy.

Even as the centre mulls over abolishing cantonments, the fact is that they have played a crucial role in securing the country against enemies and terrorists and should be guarded at all costs.

Despite adultery being decriminalised in 2018, it remains a crime in the armed forces. This is because it could affect the fighting efficiency of the forces and lead to a decrease in trust and morale.

While the move to have people volunteer for a temporary period in the armed and paramilitary forces will help India have reserve personnel, it is too short a time to train them to acceptable standards.

Coordination between the US and other members of the Quad group is aimed at sending a firm message to China that its aggressive expansionism in the Indo-Pacific region Ladakh, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific is coming to an end.

India’s ill-preparedness to operate effectively in the mountains has often led to disastrous results. But a dedicated Mountain Strike Corps will be capable of evicting the Chinese from Ladakh and securing its future.