WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR

Saturday 8 November 2014

If Pak sincere on terror cooperation post Wagah, begin by arresting Hafiz, Dawood...

(REPRODUCING MY BLOG #SITREP ON @DAILYO) @gauravcsawant

Images of victims and their kin wailing at the Ghurki Trust Hospital, Lahore were gut wrenching. Especially heartbreaking were images of Captain (Dr) Shumaila Nadeem, a young Pakistan army doctor, her two little daughters and husband killed in the suicide attack at Wagah border on Sunday.

Captain (Dr) Shumaila Nadeem

The toll stands at 61 dead and more than 150 injured. I was anchoring when the news came in. We dropped our regular bulletin and stayed with the horror from across the international border.

In India we are all too familiar with this horror. A horror aided, abetted, sponsored and orchestrated from across the border. In the past 20 years I have covered almost all major terror attacks in this country and invariably the thread is traced back to Pakistan. Not just by Indian investigators but now intelligence agencies from across the world keeping a hawk eye on a country that is increasingly being described as "Terror Central" and an international migraine.

So are India and Pakistan both "victims of terror"? And can India and Pakistan cooperate in combating terror? I strongly feel India and Pakistan can cooperate on terror if Pakistan is willing and stops playing a double game. India and Pakistan can cooperate on terror when India’s most wanted terrorist Hafiz Mohammed Saeed is not seen leading the Eid prayers at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. If he is a terror ideologue for India and a spiritual leader, preacher and social worker for Pakistan (and a strategic asset for Pakistan state) then the word cooperation is a farce.

India and Pakistan are both victims of terror but India is a victim of Pakistan sponsored terror. And Pakistan is a victim of its own monsters, some now out of Frankenstein’s control.

And can India and Pakistan combat terror together? Pakistan can make a beginning by arresting Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, Dawood Ibrahim, Maulana Masud Azhar, Syed Salahuddin and other assorted anti-India elements enjoying state patronage in Pakistan.

I was in the Chicago Federal Court room covering the Tahawwur Hussein Rana trial when David Coleman Headley, a Pakistan born American terrorist, rattled off details of how Pakistan ISI officers had facilitated the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. There is a mountain of evidence admissible in any court across the world that indicts Pakistan state and non state actors for the worst terror attack in India, yet the trial drags in Pakistan. So what cooperation on terror are we talking about?

There is enough evidence in public domain to prove Dawood Ibrahim lives in Pakistan. He has well established business interests. Yes, India and Pakistan can cooperate with Islamabad arresting and deporting Dawood Ibrahim and Co.

India and Pakistan can jointly combat terror with Pakistan giving India coordinates of terror training facilities in PoK (India has it anyways but Pakistan can show its goodwill by cooperating), Indian Air Force fighters and special forces would be happy to get rid of those terrorists for Pakistan. If not, then what cooperation are we talking about?

61 Pakistanis died at the Wagah border. The figure of 61 will be added to the list of 4,339 Pakistani people killed in terrorist violence this year. These include 1477 civilians, 468 security force personnel and 2394 terrorists. In all 54,855 Pakistanis have been killed in terrorist violence in the past decade according to South Asia Terrorism portal.

In the past several prime ministers and governments in India chose to turn a blind eye to Pakistan sponsored terror in pursuit of peace (or Nobel prize). This time there is a government with a clear mandate. What chief minister Narendra Modi spoke from the Lalan College in Bhuj, Prime Minister Narendra Modi followed up in New Delhi.

So should there be summit level bilateral talks on the sidelines of SAARC in Kathmandu between India and Pakistan? India must talk to Pakistan if there is a clear agenda, game plan and demonstrable action by Pakistan against India centric terror.

For too long has India fallen into Pakistan’s trap – talk to empower the civilian leadership against the Army, ISI-Jihadi complex. I have for long argued both civilian and military leaderships in Pakistan have been anti-India and unless there is demonstrable action against elements hostile to India in Pakistan, talks will remain just that – talks for the sake of talking.

Peace is possible when both India and Pakistan want peace and for that it is not for India to take the initiative all the time. Let the initiative and demonstrable action against terror come from Pakistan for once.

Tuesday 7 October 2014

India retaliates hard & for effect. IB/LoC hot up

October 8, 2014. SItuation Report 0400 hrs

1. Border Security Force carries out massive retaliatory strikes along 200 km long international border.
2. BSF offensive has destroyed at least two crucial Border posts from where Pak Rangers were firing. 40 Pakistani posts from where firing was coming, targeted.
3. One observation post also destroyed opposite Arnia in Pak, from where fire was directed towards India.
4. Intelligence reports at least 10-15 fatal casualties on the Pakistani side.
5. Firing also reported along the LoC South of Pir Panjal in Akhnoor, Mendher, Bimbergali & Poonch
6. Current IB & LoC situation being monitored by RM Arun Jaitley, HM Rajnath Singh & NSA Ajit Doval.

Sunday 24 August 2014

INDO-PAK TIES: ADVANTAGE INDIA, NOW BUILD ON IT

The past week witnessed intense and heated debates on Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's decision to call off foreign secretary talks with Pakistan. After weeks of Saree, shawl and letter diplomacy, India called off talks with Pakistan because Pakistan's high commissioner to India Abdul Basit went ahead with his talks with Hurriyat. This despite Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh calling up Basit and urging him to build on the positive environment created when the two prime ministers met in Delhi during PM Modi's swearing in, and not meet Hurriyat leaders.

PM Modi's step has been described as bold by some, fickle & politically confused by some others. Some say PM Modi has set the bar too high.

In my opinion PM Modi has not set the bar high by saying either talk to Govt of India or Hurriyat. This is the least India should expect of Pakistan. Setting the bar high would be seeking action against Pakistan army and ISI officers who were directly involved in 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks (named by Headley in the Chicago court) and closing down the ISI team that operates to inflict a thousand cuts on India before resumption of dialogue.

PM Modi took a step that several prime ministers and governments in the past debated, but none had the guts to take. It had been hurting India to see heads of state and government of Pakistan and officials come to India and remain closeted with the Hurriyat leaders at the Pakistan High Commission. India did fret and fume but was forced to look the other way.

India has made it very clear. If Pakistan is interested in dialogue then it has to be with the Government of India and the government alone. Hurriyat leaders are a bunch of sulking have beens and former terrorists, who many say are paid by both intelligence agencies of India and Pakistan. Nor are they elected representatives of the people of J&K. So why give them legitimacy by letting them talk to Pakistan and become a party to the process.

Lets discuss some of the issues/objections raised by Pakistan and some in India.

1. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER TWO DECADES: So? just because a wrong has been happening for over two decades does not mean it has to continue happening. It is after all in over three decades that the nation has elected a government with a clear majority and that government and the emboldened diplomatic Corps are well within their rights to set right a wrong precedent.

2. VAJPAYEE AND MANMOHAN SINGH TOO PERMITTED IT: Again just because Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh permitted it does not mean Modi should permit it too. And then Modi is neither Vajpayee nor Manmohan Singh. A senior diplomat told me the era of weak kneed and meek diplomacy was over. There are new rules of the Game. It is not just India's responsibility to create the right environment for talks. Pakistan should be equally keen to talk and create the right environment. And talking to Hurriyat is doing just the opposite.

3. PAKISTAN IS COMMITTED TO KASHMIR CAUSE: The Simla Agreement clearly spoke of J&K being a bilateral issue. There is no question of Hurriyat becoming the third party. India will independently talk to its citizens. Pakistan will restrict itself to talking to government of India for forward movement. Should Pakistan have issues with this, the J&K issue can and should be put in deep freeze.

4. INDIA WILL BE FORCED TO CLIMB DOWN AFTER NEXT TERROR ATTACK: So India must continue to talk to Pakistan because of the terror threat? Does that mean Pakistan holds a gun to India's head? Lets get a couple of things clear here. Pakistan is a state sponsor of terror. Six decades of talking to Pakistan and three and half wars have not stopped terror. There is no guarantee or evidence that talks have prevented terror attacks, including 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. India has to strengthen its internal security apparatus and create/strengthen the capacity to inflict costs on perpetrators of terror. Inflicting costs on perpetrators of terror is an effective counter measure.

5. REGION IS A NUCLEAR FLASH POINT: This is interesting conversation over Red Wine and Kebabs in the track II circuit but there are ample checks and balances and measures of deescalation in place. Look at evidence on ground. Kargil, Parliament attack, Akshardham temple attack, 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, LoC firing and shelling...none of this led to escalation. There are Red Lines. the armies and governments have war gamed it. So not talking to Pakistan at foreign secretary level will not lead to a nuclear flash point and neither will the next terror attack and inflicting cost on perpetrators.

6. INDIA NEEDS PAKISTAN IN AFGHANISTAN: With or without friendly ties with Islamabad, Pakistan has in the past and will continue to target Indian interests in Afghanistan. All the attacks on the Indian embassy in Kabul, Indian medical team and the Indian mission in Herat were directly traced back to Pakistan. Government sources even have names and ranks of ISI officers who master minded the attack. The information has been corroborated both by Afghan and Western intelligence agencies. So all India needs to do is strengthen its defences in Afghanistan and create capacity to inflict cost on Pakistan. When Pakistan realises it is not cost effective to spread terror and that Pakistan will bleed too, it will be compelled to mend its ways.

7. TALKS TO ENCOURAGE TRADE AND PEOPLE TO PEOPLE CONTACT: The responsibility of creating the right environment for talks is not India's alone. Pakistan government should be as keen for peace with India and it is high time that government of Pakistan realises, not talking to Hurriyat is the least Pakistan can do to create the right environment.

8. LoC WILL HOT UP AGAIN: The 10 years of Ramzan ceasefire since 2003 (sought by Pakistan and accepted by India) has been good both for India and Pakistan. All along the 200 kms of international border, 770 kilometres of line of control and 110 kilometres of actual ground position line (AGPL) at Siachen glacier, the Indian army is both numerically and equipment wise superior to Pakistan. While Pakistan has the capacity to inflict some damage on India, if the commanders on ground are given a free hand, India can and has in the past forced Pakistan to sue for peace and seek a ceasefire. So it is in Pakistan's national interest to ensure LoC does not hot up beyond a point.

9. FREEZE ON DIALOGUE WILL HURT: There is no freeze on dialogue. India and Pakistan continue to have High Commissioners in each other's countries. They are regularly in touch with the ministries of external affairs of both countries. The hotline between the director generals of military operations (DGMO) is operational. All channels of communication are open. Only dialogue is not being escalated to the level of the foreign secretaries, then foreign ministers and then the heads of government.

10. INDIA SHOULD STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY IN PAKISTAN: India should only look after its national interest. Let Pakistan strengthen its democracy. It is neither India's responsibility nor duty to strengthen either Nawaz or Zardari. India will talk to who so ever is in power in Pakistan. And there is no evidence on ground to suggest there was a check in terror or anti India activity in Pakistan with a civilian leadership at the helm of affairs. Kargil and a series of terror attacks with civilians heading government in Pakistan are cases in point.

The way I look at it, its advantage India. New Delhi needs to build on it.

Tuesday 24 December 2013

we mean business': India cancels privileges for American diplomats at airports across the country

PUBLISHED: 01:30 GMT, 20 December 2013 | UPDATED: 01:30 GMT, 20 December 2013

View
comments

The Indian government late on Thursday issued a letter to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) cancelling all special privileges extended to US diplomats, consular staff and families at airports across the country.

The government is walking the talk on assertive action, ensuring that the relationship between India and the US is based strictly on reciprocity.

The US Embassy in New Delhi had been issued with 11 special diplomatic cards that entitled them to special privileges at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.

Four cards were permanent, including the ambassador and the deputy chief of the mission, while seven cards were transferable, to be used by US embassy staff.

These entitled them to receive special privileges such as parking, jumping the queue at immigration counters and access to VIP lounges.

Enlarge

"Indian consular staff have no such privileges in the US. This was a unilateral courtesy extended to US diplomats," a highly-placed source in the government told Mail Today.

New I-cards

Sources said new diplomatic identity cards have been ordered for US diplomats, consular staff and families.

These I-cards will specify the level of diplomatic immunity a US official can enjoy in India.

More...

"In the US, identity cards issued to diplomats and consular officers clearly specify the level of immunity the cardholder enjoys. In select cases, it clearly says no immunity from arrest. Similarly we will also issue identity cards to each individual based on the degree of immunity,'' a source said.

Charges: A sketch shows India's Deputy Consul General Devyani Khobragade sitting at her arraignment in Manhattan Federal Court in New York

The Indian government will also review the status of those persons working at the American School, American Centre, and a number of other places who have diplomatic identity cards as a courtesy.

Clear directive

The government's directive is clear - no extension will be given to US diplomats and families to turn in their diplomatic identity cards by December 23.

"All identity cards will automatically stand null and void at 5pm on December 24. Fresh identity cards will be issued to the US embassy employees giving immunity on a case-to-case basis.

"So far, we were giving diplomatic immunity to all personnel, including consular and at times even those working in allied offices. But these privileges will be withdrawn on December 23,'' the source added.

Top level sources in the government insist that India is neither over-reacting nor being vindictive.

"The removal of the concrete barrier was not reducing security - only reciprocating US's move to deny Indian embassy in Washington, DC reserved parking space. We want the US to realise this time we mean business,'' said a top officer.

What is the Bureau of Diplomatic Security?

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), whose agents apprehended Devyani Khobragade on December 12, is the security and law enforcement arm of the US Department of State.

The Bureau, the State Department's website states, is responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for the conduct of US foreign policy.

In the US, Diplomatic Security personnel protect the Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States, investigate passport and visa fraud, and conduct personnel security investigations.

Monday 16 December 2013

Stripped, searched alongwith sex workers and drug addicts: Khobragade's ordeal

GAURAV C SAWANT | HEADLINES TODAY | NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 16, 2013 | UPDATED 22:35 IST

Devyani Khobragade

India's Deputy Consul General in New York Devyani Khobragade was stripped in custody and made to stand with common criminals, drug addicts and sex workers by the New York Police.

39-year-old Dr Khobragade, a 1999 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer was on her way to drop her children to school when she was stopped by the police and handcuffed in full public view. A shocked, Dr Khobragade protested immediately saying she is a diplomat and enjoys immunity. But there was worse in store. She was handcuffed, taken to a police station where she was stripped and searched.

"This is in grave violation of the Vienna Convention. The US authorities knew she was a diplomat and yet they deliberately humiliated her. The US is well aware of the legal status of the case with the domestic help which was being pursued in a court of law in India. In fact India sought US help in the case. Yet the deliberate insult," sources said.

The New York Police, sources say were "following orders" that came from "higher ups."

"With United Nations in New York, diplomats from across the world live and work there. The New York Police knows better than to arrest and strip search diplomats. This was a move aimed to send a message and test India's response," sources added.

This is the second time the police in New York did so. The first time a diplomat's young daughter was arrested and locked up on false charges. India protested but the feeble protest appears to have emboldened the US further.

But this time India refuses to take it lying down. Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on Monday refused to meet a bipartisan US Congressional delegation. "The speaker was extremely angry not because Dr Khobragade is a Dalit, but because the US did this to a woman diplomat, a mother of two. She is impressed by the manner in which Dr Khobragade handled herself with dignity. But as a former diplomat and a woman, Meira Kumar wanted to send a message,'' sources in Parliament said.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar

Not just Meira Kumar, even Shiv Shankar Menon, the national security advisor refused to meet the US Congressional delegation. "Whatever the provocation, the US government had no business to behave in the manner in which they did. It is not an error of judgement by one police officer. This is far more serious," sources added.

Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh who has just returned from the US had summoned US ambassador Nancy Powell and protested the treatment meted out to Dr Khobragade.

The government says the matter is being taken up with the US and the ill treatment of the woman diplomat by US is "unacceptable."

"The American violence against Dr Khobragade is nothing short of barbaric. It is shocking that details should come out on a day when the nation is still recovering from the shock of the incident of violence against Nirbhaya. Is there any difference between the criminals who acted against Nirbhaya and the New York authorities who have scarred the children of an able diplomat so horribly," Rajiv Dogra, India's former ambassador to Italy said.

Sunday 24 November 2013

Afghanistan seeks tanks, field artillery and attack helicopters from India

GAURAV C SAWANT NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 20, 2013 | UPDATED 20:06 IST

150 battle tanks, 120 (105 mm) field guns, a large number of 82 mm mortars, one medium lift transport aircraft (AN-32), two squadrons of medium lift (24) and attack helicopters (24) and a large number of trucks and jeeps form a part of the wish list that Afghanistan has handed over to New Delhi to arm itself ahead of the 2014 NATO draw down. Afghanistan has also sought allied paraphernalia for training, maintenance and upkeep of the equipment.

Highly placed sources in the government have told Headlines Today that Afghanistan army also wants New Delhi to set up a military training facility for its officers and soldiers in Afghanistan and provide a training team immediately. The training is for English language, counter insurgency operations, ordnance-weapons & stores management and also vehicle repairs.

This is assistance apart from the 2 billion dollar aid India is providing to rebuild Afghanistan. India is providing a 2 billion US dollar line of credit to Afghanistan for infrastructure development projects including construction of dams, roads, bridges, Parliament, Schools, hospitals and training facilities. "India is working very closely with the US, Russia and several other countries on Afghanistan-post 2014 draw down and all like minded powers have one goal. Afghanistan cannot be permitted to slide back into the tumultuous days of Taliban at any cost. An effort is being made to synchronize the rebuilding effort,'' sources said.

And in a powerful signal to India, Afghanistan has turned down Pakistan's request for both training their service personnel and a generous line of credit to take "what they want'' from Pakistan ordnance factories. "Pakistan's all powerful Army Chief General Ashfq Pervez Kayani had visited Afghanistan and offered to train the Afghanistan army - both officers and men and also equip the Afghanistan army. One officer even attended the Command and Staff College in Quetta but in his assessment report after the course said officers in future should be sent to Staff College, Wellington (India),'' sources added.

More than 400 Afghan army officers have trained at National Defence Academy (NDA) Khadakvasla, Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun and Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai in the past three years alone. A total of 1200 Afghan National Army officers have been trained by India. "And back in Afghanistan they proudly wear the NDA, IMA & OTA insignia on their uniform. Though the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has set up a training base for Afghan officers and enlisted men in Afghanistan itself - communication remains an issue. Therefore they prefer to undergo training in India. We give pre-commission training to 50 officers every year - but call for 150 applications and the cadets undergo an examination similar to services selection board (SSB) in Kabul itself,'' sources added. India does not weed out applicants based on their ethnic background. India is training Afghan cadets and officers from diverse ethno-religious backgrounds including Pashtun, Tajik and Uzbeks.

Afghanistan has also sought Indian assistance is setting up Base Repair Workshops for equipment. "A lot of equipment has been provided to them by different countries. They have so far been adopting a use and throw policy. That is very expensive and cannot be sustained. They have made an urgent request to help set up repair workshops and train their personnel in workshop operations and inventory management. Given the fact they have equipment from roughly 30 countries their inventories are also vast and almost unmanageable. This is one area where we are actively helping them,'' sources added.

Top level government sources have told Headlines Today that the prime minister's office is not very inclined to give lethal military hardware to the current Afghan army. "While India is focusing on capacity building, training and infrastructure, the NATO forces have so far been providing arms and ammunition to the Afghan army. 80 per cent of Afghan army equipment comes from NATO forces. The Afghan army is well provided for - when it comes to small arms, ammunition and infantry support weapons. However, there are real fears that area destruction weapons and tanks, artillery etc. could end up in wrong hands post 2014 US army drawdown. Therefore we prefer to adopt a wait and watch policy,'' sources added. India hopes ISAF will train and adequately arm the ANA before the 'final draw down' not just with infantry weapons but also Artillery, Tanks and other area domination weapons.

There is a small group that believes India should share weapons with the Afghan army and build their capacity to withstand a Taliban onslaught post 2014 drawdown. A defeatist mentality will only weaken the young Afghan army further. For now both the US and India appear to be adopting a wait and watch policy to see Afghan election results.

Speaking to Headlines Today Ambassador Jayant Prasad, India's former Ambassador to Afghanistan said: "India has always been a reliable partner of Afghanistan and there are three features that will define India-Afghan partnership for all times to come, perseverance, balance and adaptability. We will see the circumstances and do what ever is required to make Afghanistan stable and prosperous and that holds true of the defence sector too.''

Former Director General Military Intelligence (DGMI) Lt Gen Ravi Sawhney concurs. "Afghan National army needs an artillery Brigade and Armoured Brigade for protection against Taliban. India has stood by Afghanistan in its darkest days when they were practically abandoned by the world. We have a long term commitment to stabilize Afghanistan and India will not let them down.''

Wednesday 6 November 2013

IAF PULLS NO PUNCHES, LASHES OUT AT HAL

GAURAV C SAWANT

NOVEMBER 6

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has 150 Billion US Dollars worth of defence deals planned for the next 15 years and all the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will get is crumbs off the table. And that is because the HAL has not developed into an agency that can provide cutting edge state of the art technology to the IAF.

The IAF is miffed with HAL for not meeting deadlines, delivering cutting edge research and development or even keeping pace with international aviation giants. ``HAL has not been able to transform itself into a forward looking aerospace hub when compared to other agencies like Israeli Aircraft Industry or even Embraer of Brazil that started around the same time,’’ Air Marshal PP Reddy, director general flight safety and inspection said today. Speaking to Headlines Today on the sidelines of a conference on Challenges and Opportunities in Aerospace, Air Marshal Reddy insisted the way forward was more foreign direct investment in Defence sector. The IAF is at odds with defence minister AK Antony who barely three weeks ago put his foot down on 26 per cent FDI in defence.

``Aviation industry is capital intensive. There are long incubation periods. In this sector in India FDI was not permitted till 1991 and even now only 26 per cent is permitted which international players do not find attractive. Why restrict FDI? We need to think about it,’’ Reddy said. He drew parallels with international players like Agusta Westland saying it is owned by Finnmeccanica and UK had no problem having it. ``France, UK, US are countries where government contributes on R&D in the civil aviation sector too. There is no support to the same here. That needs to change,’’ he added.

The Air Warrior did not pull his punches taking on HAL. ``India is the largest importer of arms. A major portion of this is in the aerospace sector. 10-12 billion dollars which is 30-40 per cent of the defence budget is spent on purchases because the Indian aerospace industry has not been able to deliver,’’ he said. The IAF is cut up with HAL for not being able to meet its requirements. While HAL was on the ball in terms of R&D in the 1970s and 80s when it came up with Marut, Kiran and Ajit trainers, it could not keep pace with IAF requirements in the 80s. The HAL has still not been able to deliver an Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) to the IAF. ``Does the problem lie with the bureaucracy or lack of competition?’’ Air Marshal Reddy asks. There are challenges and solutions need to be found.

Aircraft engines and avionics will be a major chunk of purchases in the 150 billion dollar deals over the next decade and a half. ``However I am sad to say we even have to purchase washer and nuts from abroad,’’ Reddy added. The IAF hopes this tough talk will compel the aviation sector do look within and come up with quality control and meet deadlines on delivery. Speaking to Headlines Today SK Mittal, GM acquisition HAL said there had been delays and deadlines were missed but HAL was trying to deliver on time. ``As the end user the IAF is well within its rights to complain about delays and deadlines not being met. However, there are circumstances at times beyond our control which we are trying to overcome.’’