NEW DELHI – A former general of the Indian Army has admitted that therecent spree of combat against Pakistan was a defeat for India.
Lt Gen H S Panag, in his latest piece for The Print, highlighted thestrategic advantages of both the states and drew a comparison between theSouth Asian countries, ratifying that as both sides achieved theirpolitical and military aims, it should be a concern for India.
Panag also admitted that questions are being raised about lack ofcomprehensive national security and military strategy of India after thecombat that lasted for 90 hours, starting from India’s violation of theLine of Control.
The author is not much impressed with the diplomatic gains claimed to havebeen achieved by India as he states: “…given Pakistan’s geostrategiclocation, its ‘alliance’ with China and Islamic countries, and itsindispensability vis-a-vis American exit from Afghanistan, India’sdiplomatic gains may only be temporary.
The former war veteran also admits that the latest combat has exposed thenotion of India’s military superiority over Pakistan.
“Militarily, the conflict ended in a stalemate due to the quid pro quoaerial strikes by the Pakistan Air Force and the ‘drawn’ aerial engagement,thus blunting the psychological fear regarding India’s conventionalsuperiority,” writes Mr Panag.
The former soldier also highlights the reasons as to why the perceptionabout the superiority of India was badly shaken acknowledging that ‘we[India] neither have a comprehensive strategy nor have we created theoverwhelming technological and military edge, which is a prerequisite forthe success of this strategy’.
Mr Panag also reveals that Indian response strategy has been ad hoc andevent-driven and Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was carried away bypolitical rhetoric, inadvertently admitted this inadequacy when heregretted the delay in Rafale deal.
The former general also quipped that even a modern rifle would have made adifference apart from the Rafale, criticising Modi that he laid thefoundation stone for a rifle manufacturing unit at the fag end of histenure.
The columnist also regretted the pendency of a comprehensive NationalSecurity Strategy and reforms in higher defence management, armed forces’structure/organisations, and modernisation.
“There has been no forward movement in this regard for the last 20 years,which includes 10 years each of the Congress and the BJP rule,” Panag adds.
The most important part from former GOC’s piece is when he admitsPakistan’s superiority over India – contrary to what Indian media isreporting.
“In the last few days, Pakistan stole a march over us in perceptionmanagement, which was directed at the domestic and the internationalaudience, including India’s,” the author states.
The soldier who served for 40 years in the Army also fired a broadside atthe government for not furnishing any evidence regarding the events thatfollowed the Pulwama attack.
“In today’s transparent world, one cannot solely rely on cryptic statementsby the government without credible evidence. Once politicians startmanaging perception through political rhetoric at rallies/public functions,sooner than later they score self-goals as has been evident from thecontradictory statements of the BJP leadership,” Panag adds.
The defence analyst also admitted that the ‘plight of the captured airwarrior became a national obsession, which in turn influenced political andmilitary decision-making’.
The tail of his column gives a cost-effective solution instead ofwarmongering and that ‘winning the hearts and minds of the people of Jammuand Kashmir’.