A picture and many strong words In the January 2010 issue of Pragati, accompanying an article titled “Telangana Liberated”, we published the following photograph. This image is part of a series of photographs taken by Bharath Margabandu on a protest march against Operation Green Hunt, the Indian government’s new security initiative against the Naxalite movement. ...
In a land of over a billion minorities, the Indian republic—which owes its existence to the loftiest moral struggle in modern times—presents the best hope for the well-being and development of all its citizens. ...
Did the United States’ man in Kabul advocate action against Pakistan? In a secret cable opposing the McChrystal plan to inject more troops to bolster counter-insurgency operations in Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, US ambassador to Kabul (and a former commander of US troops in the country) wrote: [Friday November 6th, 2009] More troops won’t end the ...
On putting people first; on fixing drains; and on expanding geopolitical horizons For reflection on Republic Day—why territory is not a big deal; why fixing drains will help counter terrorism and on the need to see beyond the subcontinent. Also, don’t miss the brilliant editorial at Mint—that points out that “while we have protected the ...
In today’s Indian Express, Rohit Pradhan and I renew our call for India to send troops to stabilise Afghanistan. It summarises the arguments we have made in on INI and Pragati and addresses the most popular objections to the proposal. Excerpts: Over time, a co-operative arrangement between India, Iran and Russia could form the bedrock ...
“Get me an air chief marshal, any air chief marshal” This happened. Yes, it really did. (linkthanks Sidin Vadukut) The photograph of former Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed in uniform appeared along with those of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi in a full-page newspaper advertisement given by Ministry of ...
A political weapon sought and granted A brief word on the the drones that Robert Gates offered Pakistan during his recent—perhaps worst—trip to Islamabad. The offer was more political theatre than it was of military significance. Why? Because—as this old post argues—Pakistan does not need armed drones to conduct counter-insurgency operations within its own territory. ...
It is in India’s interests to be the subcontinent’s talent magnet If you have been reading this blog for some time you might have noticed that The Acorn has consistently been against any measure that falsely conveys an impression that Pakistan is no longer a sponsor of international terrorism in general and proxy-war against India ...
India’s national security reform is in the second stage Going by most media reports, you will be forgiven for believing that M K Narayanan’s movement to West Bengal as governor has got entirely to do with an energetic home minister winning turf battles and the Congress party president going one up on the prime minister. ...
Would you co-operate with a mere regional power if you feel you have beaten two superpowers? Kanti Bajpai is one of India’s best academic experts on international relations—and one who this blog holds in high regard. His op-ed in the Times of India today (linkthanks Raja Karthikeya Gundu), however, overlooks something big. Arguing that India ...