Of phantom victories and misplaced bravado
In the past three months, the Modi regime has faced mounting pressures unlike any in its decade in power, with sustained challenges emerging simultaneously both at home and abroad. Its reckless escalation of hostilities with Pakistan exposed the hollowness of its hubristic foreign policy, while the battlefield defeat left it humiliated domestically, with the Indian opposition quick to seize on the debacle as proof of its incompetence and misplaced bravado. It is important to note that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi had recently alleged that the Modi government had 'tied the hands' of IAF pilots through operational restrictions before sending them into battle, with this accusation gaining significant traction in Indian media. As has also been pointed out by respected defence analyst Pravin Sawhney, the IAF chief's choice to use this moment to not only claim the downing of Pakistani aircraft but also credit the supposed 'success' of Operation Sindoor to 'political will' and the operational freedom granted to the military by political leaders is clearly a calculated bid to deflect criticism from the ruling BJP and bolster its narrative.
Also adding to the Modi administration's troubles is the marked downturn in US-India relations, underscored by Washington imposing a 50 percent tariff on Indian exports and objecting to India's oil imports from Russia, developments that have tightened economic pressures on New Delhi. Further chafing the Indian establishment, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has undertaken two successful visits to the US in the past three months that also included a fruitful meeting with the American president. Moreover, Donald Trump's repeated assertions of having brokered the May ceasefire has proven particularly irksome to New Delhi, considering India's long-standing stance of not allowing third parties to intervene in bilateral relations with Pakistan. In the backdrop of these developments, a frazzled Modi regime has lurched from blunder to blunder, with the claims of downing Pakistani aircraft a fresh testament to the confusion and ineptitude defining its recent conduct. One cannot help but agree with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif that 'senior Indian military officers are being used as the faces of monumental failure caused by the strategic short-sightedness of Indian politicians'.
Beyond the headlines, the IAF chief's claims raise several basic questions: where is the electronic evidence to substantiate the alleged downings of Pakistani aircraft, given that his speech offered none; why did he not specify which PAF fighter jets were supposedly destroyed; and why, despite admitting to their own losses in May, did senior Indian military personnel make no mention of any kills until now. In contrast, Pakistan's claim to have downed six Indian aircraft during the May hostilities was backed with clear evidence before an international audience, later corroborated by independent defence analysts and foreign intelligence assessments. Absent similar proof from India, the IAF chief's assertions lack credibility.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Japanese minister praises Punjab uplift schemes
Japanese Senior State Minister for Foreign Affairs Miyaji Takuma has lauded the launch of more than 120 development projects in Punjab. Photo APP Japanese Senior State Minister for Foreign Affairs Miyaji Takuma has lauded the launch of more than 120 development projects in Punjab. During a meeting with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, he described her official visit as the first by a Pakistani leader of her stature in three decades. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan and Japan were "time-tested friends" and emphasised the need to expand cooperation in all sectors, particularly trade and investment. "Japan is a symbol of economic, technological and social progress, and its traditions and values are worthy of emulation," she added. Miyaji Takuma lauded the launch of more than 120 development projects in Punjab. He also expressed sympathy over the loss of lives caused by recent floods in Pakistan, particularly Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. CM Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan wished to learn from Japan's expertise in disaster management, particularly in dealing with earthquakes and floods. "Japan's assistance after the devastating earthquake in Pakistan remains unforgettable. We want to benefit from Japan's construction technology to strengthen our disaster preparedness," she added. The CM also briefed the Japanese minister on Punjab's investor-friendly policies and incentives, expressing the provincial government's keen interest in adopting Japan's development model. Miyaji Takuma emphasised Japan's strong desire to broaden and strengthen relations with Pakistan. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also visited Tokyo's state-of-the-art traffic control centre on the third day of her five-day visit to Japan. She was briefed about the centre's modern systems, including traffic monitoring, data collection, transport planning, and emergency response mechanisms, according to a handout issued here on Wednesday. Officials informed the CM that Tokyo was the first city in the world to use infrared technology for traffic monitoring and control. They explained how CCTV cameras, roadside sensors, and advanced monitoring systems are used to prevent congestion, speeding, and traffic signal violations. The CM observed systems that provide real-time public alerts on weather conditions and ensure timely ambulance and police response over accidents and emergencies.
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
US and India — strategic autonomy or alliance partnership
The writer is a retired major general and has an interest in International Relations and Political Sociology. He can be reached at tayyarinam@ and tweets @20_Inam This piece attempts to deconstruct the imperatives of Sino-India bilateralism in the backdrop of US-China competition. In my piece, "War of Humiliation" in the South Asia magazine (November 2020), discussing the Sino-Indian escalation in Ladakh, I had concluded that expecting India to stand up to China as a bulwark, that the US continues to prop it, is too far-fetched. That China and India would never — willingly or unwillingly — walk into a full-blown war, that is in nobody's interest. If anyone expects India to stand upto to China — doing the US bidding — in a resurrected Great Game 2.0; then it is not knowing India of Chanakya Kautilya (375-283 BC). The wizard, also called Vishnugupta or the Indian Machiavelli, said: "Do not reveal what you have thought of doing... keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution." Fast forward to 2025, there is a lot of debate nudging India to be in a 'partnership alliance' with the US to counter China; as most analysts in the US/European camp, think India cannot do it alone. Some emphasise that 'strengthening Quad' (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue comprising Australia, India, Japan and America) would be a good starting point for New Delhi. Realising that India is a 'hedging' middle power, eager to play both if not all sides, the US think-tanks deduce that transfer of more sophisticated and advanced technology to India would depend upon India's overt anti-Beijing credentials. The basic premise of such thinking is that a shooting Sino-Indian war is inevitable, and that militarily embroiling China through India is cost effective and makes strategic sense. This is a faulty presumption, just like encouraging Ukraine, a militarily weaker side, to go on the offensive against a militarily stronger Russia that was on the defensive, in the much-touted Ukrainian counter offensive in 2023, that failed. The recent chasm in the US-India relations emanate from India profiting from the Russian oil imports, debunking sanctions; Indian protectionism in trade against US agricultural products; Modi's refusal to acknowledge President Trump's role in the May 2025 Pakistan-India ceasefire; and the less than expected tenacity by India in the cited conflict. However, these are transient factors originating from the 'Trump Factor', who is in his last presidential term. There are compelling reasons for Washington to keep India in its orbit and repair the damaged relations, even if New Delhi is not very forthcoming. First, in the US strategic construct China, Iran, North Korea and Russia make a substantial 'authoritative scale (mass of alliance power)' presenting a unified challenge, needing a unified response. Moreover, China under President Xi has moved away from its confrontational 'wolf warrior' diplomacy, with emerging profile in the Global South, Africa in particular. Its BRI networks 126 countries through highways, railways, pipelines, power plants, grids, IT, social welfare and poverty-alleviation projects. BRI's staggering investment of over $1.3 trillion will ultimately cover 60% of the world population and 40% of its GDP, providing a viable economic alternative, catapulting the present US-led predatory economic system. Second, America's inability to compete with both China and Russia, requires 'strategic diplomacy', some US analysts emphasise. Its core purpose being 'cultivating favourable balances of power in critical regions' to project power far beyond material means. Strategic diplomacy aims to limit rival's options, without seeking to remove the sources of conflict. The US is moving past the age of 'globalized utopia', of being the single-most powerful hegemon, enjoying comprehensive security enabled by techno-military capabilities. It gravitates towards alliance partnerships and strategic diplomacy. And under its 'pivot to Asia' strategy, building the largest anti-China coalition, India stands out to bridge the gap between Washington's rhetoric and capabilities. US analysts feel Biden Administration was unable to properly cultivate New Delhi against Beijing. They feel Trump should nudge India closer 'as an ally on the level of Japan or NATO partners'. Will India do the US bidding willingly, under coercion or under inducements? The straight answer is no, under any conditions. Way back in a meeting with the US officials, when asked to analyse the US-India potential relationship, my answer was to 'go ahead and find out'. However, much that India will drag its feet on becoming involved in bloc politics, alliance partnership with the US, and ignore its 'strategic autonomy', Washington will persistently deploy the pressure-inducement combo to rope in New Delhi against China. Even if that means making India, as some suggest, a regional policeman and hegemon in South Asia, deferring to its advice and actions concerning other countries like Pakistan. The other touted US 'deputy sheriffs' to include Australia in Pacific Islands, Vietnam in continental Southeast Asia and Nigeria in Africa. Expecting India to go against one of its largest trading partners (despite an otherwise obscure border conflict), is not understanding geo-economics and history. First, Sino-India annual trade is over $100 for the third consecutive year. It was $124 billion for FY2024. Second, India has historically conceded against formidable adversaries, from Afghans to Moghuls to Portuguese to the British. That historic constant has not changed, Modi or no Modi. Third, militarily, Indian discussions concede China's conventional and nuclear advantage. India responds to this "conventional asymmetry" through infrastructural build-up, force modernisation and new raisings, compared to Beijing's better military infrastructure, capabilities, and logistics. The Indian security establishment remains concerned about greater survivability of Indian forces on the battlefield, in an environment of uncontrolled escalation, instead of investing in new weapon platforms especially the nuclear ones. However, paradoxically, the cited asymmetry also serves as a strong catalyst for peaceful co-existence. It is, therefore, no surprise that India gravitates towards better relations with Beijing under its 'Look East Policy', burnished by the recent chasm with Washington. When China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi on August 18, 2025, during his two-day visit to New Delhi emphasised both nations to view each other as 'partners' and not 'adversaries or threats'; his Indian counterpart Jaishankar acknowledged the Chinese overtures, saying both countries were seeking to 'move ahead from a difficult period in our relations'. Wang met Premier Modi on Tuesday, reaffirming 'positive trend' in the bilateral ties. In sum, India it too smart to fall for the US trap.
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
India test-fires nuclear-capable Agni-5 missile amid US tariff tensions
India on Wednesday test-fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads, a government statement said, in an apparent show of strength ahead of a threatened US tariff increase. The Agni-5 missile was successfully launched in India's eastern Odisha state, with authorities saying it "validated all operational and technical parameters." The test-fire came a week before US tariffs are set to double from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, unless India meets President Donald Trump's demand that it stop buying Russian oil. India last tested the Agni-5 missile in March 2024. Also Read: 78 killed in Afghanistan bus crash Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this month that, in the face of US tariffs, India was seeking self-reliance with energy independence and the development of its own defence systems. New Delhi has deepened defence cooperation with Western countries in recent years, including in the Quad alliance with the United States, Japan and Australia as an apparent counter to rival China. But India's relations with China have warmed recently with several bilateral visits, and Modi is scheduled to visit Tianjin later this month in his first visit to the country since 2018. Agni, meaning "fire" in Sanskrit, is the name given to a series of rockets India developed as part of a guided missile development project launched in 1983. The Agni-5 employs technology that enables it to carry several nuclear warheads, so they can split up and hit different targets.
