Tehelka - India's Independent Weekly News Magazine
The Congress government led by the late PV Narasimha Rao had, in fact, made all the preparations for conducting nuclear tests way back in 1995 to the extent that its successor the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had to just press buttons to get things moving. Giving due credit to Rao for giving a go ahead to scientists, former National Security Advisor (NSA) Brajesh Mishra here on Thursday stated that the country was ready for a nuclear detonation when the NDA assumed office. Shafts had been constructed; detonators and a bomb were all in place. Rao had to put it off, as Americans got a whiff of the plan.
"When we came to power, we enquired from scientists, who told us they were in a ready position. We wanted tests as early as possible. But, then President KR Narayanan was touring the USA and other countries. He returned on May 10, hence the tests were conducted on the following day on May 11," he told a select audience at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) at a seminar on modernisation of the navy in Asia.
Painting a grim picture of the state of national security, Mishra said the country was not prepared to face a military alliance between China and Pakistan. Identifying, military power, better intelligence and peace with neighbours as important ingredients of security, he said that unfortunately for India it was stuck between hostile neighbours.
"Today the situation is that China supports Pakistan. I consider them as enemies, but one of our friends the United States also helps Pakistan the same way. They have been pumping a $20 billion-aid providing F-16s, which can be used against us," he told the seminar co-hosted by the RAND Corporation.
Mishra said China was encircling India by its pro-active approach not only in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), but in Sri Lanka, Maldives and Nepal. There is a plan to make India an insignificant power. He noted that over the past two-three years, Chinese Army, think tanks etc have become aggressive. Advocating a joint US, Japanese, Australian and Indian efforts to contain Beijing, the former security advisor said China was also working to edge out Americans from Asia and Europe. "Neither India nor the US wants confrontation with China. We all want to manage China's rise. One can use East Asian forums to have multilateral dialogues with China," he said.
Describing the situation as dangerous for India, Mishra said all governments have tried to have good relations with Pakistan and China. He said Atal Bihari Vajpayee had started a mechanism of special representatives to address border issues in an overall framework of a strategic relationship. But, he added that Beijing did not want a border settlement. "They have got stuck on Tawang and want settlement of eastern sector. They were told to let us also discuss western sector. But they said no," he maintained. Mishra said that increased trade with China didn't assure peace.
Echoing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's call to stand on our own feet, Mishra said that there was none in the world to come to the assistance of India in times of a military conflict. "We are in a very dangerous situation and next few years from here could be worse than what we faced in 1963," he prophesied.
Describing an antiquated acquisition system and a Bofors syndrome a major ailment afflicting national security system, he said political leadership for the fear of scams was indecisive or delay decisions till the systems become obsolete. He said the Army was crying for 155 mm guns, but the government does not want to touch Bofors, which saved the country in Kargil war in 1999. He said the decision on the 126 multi-role combat aircrafts was also being delayed. "Till they are supplied, they would have already turned obsolete," he added.
Lamenting that key recommendations of the Arun Singh committee on defence restructure on the appointment of chief of defence staff (CDS) was not being acted upon he said, "I don't know why Vajpayee government and the current UPA did not want to implement. Maybe they are afraid that the Army may take over. But these fears in Indian context are unfounded," Mishra added
The Congress government led by the late PV Narasimha Rao had, in fact, made all the preparations for conducting nuclear tests way back in 1995 to the extent that its successor the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had to just press buttons to get things moving. Giving due credit to Rao for giving a go ahead to scientists, former National Security Advisor (NSA) Brajesh Mishra here on Thursday stated that the country was ready for a nuclear detonation when the NDA assumed office. Shafts had been constructed; detonators and a bomb were all in place. Rao had to put it off, as Americans got a whiff of the plan.
"When we came to power, we enquired from scientists, who told us they were in a ready position. We wanted tests as early as possible. But, then President KR Narayanan was touring the USA and other countries. He returned on May 10, hence the tests were conducted on the following day on May 11," he told a select audience at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) at a seminar on modernisation of the navy in Asia.
Painting a grim picture of the state of national security, Mishra said the country was not prepared to face a military alliance between China and Pakistan. Identifying, military power, better intelligence and peace with neighbours as important ingredients of security, he said that unfortunately for India it was stuck between hostile neighbours.
"Today the situation is that China supports Pakistan. I consider them as enemies, but one of our friends the United States also helps Pakistan the same way. They have been pumping a $20 billion-aid providing F-16s, which can be used against us," he told the seminar co-hosted by the RAND Corporation.
Mishra said China was encircling India by its pro-active approach not only in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), but in Sri Lanka, Maldives and Nepal. There is a plan to make India an insignificant power. He noted that over the past two-three years, Chinese Army, think tanks etc have become aggressive. Advocating a joint US, Japanese, Australian and Indian efforts to contain Beijing, the former security advisor said China was also working to edge out Americans from Asia and Europe. "Neither India nor the US wants confrontation with China. We all want to manage China's rise. One can use East Asian forums to have multilateral dialogues with China," he said.
Describing the situation as dangerous for India, Mishra said all governments have tried to have good relations with Pakistan and China. He said Atal Bihari Vajpayee had started a mechanism of special representatives to address border issues in an overall framework of a strategic relationship. But, he added that Beijing did not want a border settlement. "They have got stuck on Tawang and want settlement of eastern sector. They were told to let us also discuss western sector. But they said no," he maintained. Mishra said that increased trade with China didn't assure peace.
Echoing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's call to stand on our own feet, Mishra said that there was none in the world to come to the assistance of India in times of a military conflict. "We are in a very dangerous situation and next few years from here could be worse than what we faced in 1963," he prophesied.
Describing an antiquated acquisition system and a Bofors syndrome a major ailment afflicting national security system, he said political leadership for the fear of scams was indecisive or delay decisions till the systems become obsolete. He said the Army was crying for 155 mm guns, but the government does not want to touch Bofors, which saved the country in Kargil war in 1999. He said the decision on the 126 multi-role combat aircrafts was also being delayed. "Till they are supplied, they would have already turned obsolete," he added.
Lamenting that key recommendations of the Arun Singh committee on defence restructure on the appointment of chief of defence staff (CDS) was not being acted upon he said, "I don't know why Vajpayee government and the current UPA did not want to implement. Maybe they are afraid that the Army may take over. But these fears in Indian context are unfounded," Mishra added
