Thanks for elaborating. That is a fair view. There is always bitterness between babu & general on the ground, one trying harder than other to reserve the ear of decision-making minister. Historically our ministers have had tendency to trust the former than one from the force, I do admit that. Its out of fear from intentions (often misunderstood) of armed forces or bonhomie with babus of some kind. Nevertheless, its a delicate balance GOI should maintain, and present Govt is doing it well IMO.
Thanks for the nuanced view.
It is strange but true that the culture of mistrust between the traditional Tories and Whigs that resulted in a rift between The Vice Roy and C-in-C in India should have been inherited by Congress and the Babus post-independence in letter and spirits. Nothing could have been more starker than the race to Teen Murti Bhavan between Nehru and the new C-in-C. What followed and is still prevalent in the Indian system of governance reflects as if are still a Colony where bureaucracy and military are in competition to seek favours of Govt of India Office.
Why has independent sovereign democratic India not developed modern mechanism as propagated by
Samuel Huntington in his world-famous seminal work "Soldier and the State" but are stuck with a colonial model of controlling Military in India via the colonial bureaucracy such as CDA. The kalu Babus in India still wreck their vengeance against the supposedly "Tory" elitist white military officers.
This state of affairs continues in spite of tremendous contribution made by Indian Army in 74 years of national consolidation drive and I dare say that if half of India is part of India it is because of tremendous low cost and affordable efforts of That great institution.
We have thus a behemoth in front which is so vital for our internal cohesion, national consolidation, the insurer of territorial integrity and an engine of economic growth which is mishandled, mistreated, downgraded and has no functional autonomy. That is very harmful for the functioning of democracy where institutional balance is the mantra for smooth functioning. In fact I dare say Congress and bureaucracy never ever understood solving riddles of application and maintenance of military machine in the country or society.
I principally agree on that part. MHA control of that region should've been temporary and transferred to IA long back. And aside to the modus operandi of PLA, that poorly edited speech in parliament did contribute to situation today. Having said that, transfer of LAC control to IA need to be done in subtle manner IMO. And I do not think its going to happen anytime soon either. MHA cannot appear weak, not now; thanks to the political compulsions.
The case in contrary to that. Giving control of a border to police does reflect the confidence of a nation about the stability of that border. India China-LAC indeed is the longest peaceful contested border in the world. MEA can take credit for it remaining peaceful. But it still is contested and managed militarily bu China. ITBP on that border and MHA exercising control is a progressive step but reality of it necessitates that the Army always remains ready to apply force for its management. It is the coordination and control mechanism of this border guarding force that is victim to the selfish narrow and entrenched interest of bureaucracy especially IPS that has proven very counterproductive and dangerous to the border security time and again since pre- 1962 days. The issue of Command and control of place forces during War and piece is becoming an obstacle in Security of territorial integrity of the nation. However bureaucratic interests prevail over national interest. It is imperative that border police forces mesh with defence plans and peacetime activities on border remain under watch of Army. That can only happen if border police forces are under the operational command of the Army.
We have not learnt anything from the shenanigans of Mr Malik of 1962 fame due to which we lost control of area as forward as Haji Langer and had to retreat to Lah..
PLA's misadventures will stop the moment Beijing is put in place by India. Border conflict and these hustles are only one part of the larger dynamics between India-China, there is a world to be won & lost by these two countries in the remainder of this century. Indian Army is a battle hardened & swift force, PLA with its toys cannot risk a duel. Let them spend time worrying what surprise awaits them.
Having secured the required territory in 1962, PLA is very effectively used by China as a tool of diplomatic coercion directly effecting the psychology and morale of the public and the nation as also affecting the political leadership of the country who derive political power from the public. It is direct, visible and effective threat to mainland India adopted at a very low-cost option for great results.
All our neighbours use low-cost options against us and we get rattled. That is not a good sign of National Security management.
Beijing is undoubtedly a bully and must be dealt with in that manner. We must ensure there are minimum chinks in our armour on LAC and the IOR where we meet them.
