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Asia Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Asia Times
India turning military mistakes into strategic strength
India rectified tactics and hit deep inside Pakistani territory after suffering 'initial losses' of air assets due to tactical errors in recent military clashes with Pakistan, Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan said recently in an interview with Bloomberg on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. It wasn't a confession of weakness; it was a flex of strength. By owning its failures, India is rewriting the rules of power, showing the world that strength lies not in hiding flaws but in learning from them faster than rivals like Pakistan and China can exploit them. India's willingness to publicly admit and analyze its military losses should be seen as a strategic masterstroke. This transparency isn't just about accountability—it's a psychological weapon. By dissecting its failures openly, India builds a culture of rapid adaptation, outpacing rivals who cling to secrecy or denial. It's a bold move that turns vulnerability into a deterrent, challenging global norms where nations often mask their weaknesses to save face. The world is watching a new kind of power emerge—one rooted in accountability, not just firepower. From Ukraine's public reckoning with battlefield setbacks to Taiwan's candid military drills exposing gaps, nations are learning that transparency can deter aggression. Hiding failures invites doubt; admitting them builds trust and resilience. This strategy is revolutionary for India, a rising power surrounded by neighbors with nuclear weapons. It's not just about military might—it's about showing the world, especially China, that India evolves faster than threats can escalate. General Chauhan's revelation wasn't a one-off. Speaking at a defense seminar in New Delhi, he detailed specific tactical errors in recent border skirmishes, including misjudgments in troop positioning along the Line of Actual Control with China. This wasn't leaked intelligence—it was a deliberate broadcast because India knows its rivals are watching. China's satellites may have fed Pakistan imagery during the 2019 Balakot airstrike, but they couldn't save Pakistan's air defenses from India's precision. By admitting where it faltered, India signals it's already fixing those gaps—making it harder for adversaries to bank on old playbooks. This approach mirrors a global shift. Ukraine, for instance, has openly shared lessons from its defense against Russia, detailing drone failures and supply chain hiccups. This resulted in faster international aid and smarter tactics. Taiwan, too, has staged public war games exposing vulnerabilities in its coastal defenses, daring China to miscalculate. Ukraine and Taiwan aren't just learning by acting—they're signaling they learn faster than their foes can act. India's move fits this pattern but adds a unique edge: it's a direct challenge to China's opaque system, where military setbacks are buried under state censorship and crude propaganda. India's transparency also builds domestic trust. In a democracy of 1.4 billion, public faith in institutions is fragile. When leaders admit mistakes—like the navy's 2021 submarine fire or the army's drone navigation errors in 2023—they invite scrutiny but also respect. Citizens see a military that doesn't just fight but thinks. This contrasts sharply with Pakistan's denials after Balakot, where its military spun tales of invincibility despite clear losses. India's candor exposes that bluff, psychologically unsettling its rival. Economically, this openness pays dividends. India's defense budget, at US$81 billion in 2024, is dwarfed by China's $225 billion. By admitting flaws, India justifies targeted spending—say, on AI-driven surveillance or hypersonic missiles—without pretending to match China's scale. It's pragmatic, not flashy, and it reassures allies like the US and Japan, who value partners that prioritize results over ego. The Quad, a strategic alliance including India, thrives on this trust, especially when joint exercises reveal shared weaknesses, not just strengths. But, of course, there's a risk. Public admissions could embolden adversaries or fuel domestic critics. Yet India is bidding to mitigate this by framing failures as stepping stones. When General Chauhan shared how Indian troops misread terrain in Ladakh, he paired it with solutions—new training protocols and satellite upgrades. His reveal wasn't defeatism; it was a roadmap. Compare that to China, where a 2020 border clash left dead soldiers unreported for months. India's openness exposes that secrecy, subtly pressuring Beijing to match its candor or lose credibility. India's new superpower isn't a bigger bomb or a shinier jet—it's the courage to say, 'We messed up, and we're better for it.' In a world where nations like Ukraine and Taiwan are rewriting resilience, India's public reckoning is a gauntlet thrown at China's feet: keep up or be outlearned. For a nation once defined by its mystique, this transparency is a radical act—one that tells adversaries and allies alike: India's strength isn't in perfection, but in its relentless pursuit of it. That's a power no missile or new-age fighter can match. Brabim Karki is an author and businessman and the owner of Mero Tribune media. Follow him on X at @brabim7
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Spent 15% of time nixing fake news during Op Sindoor: CDS Anil Chauhan
File photo: CDS Anil Chauhan NEW DELHI: Almost 15% of the operational time during Operation Sindoor was spent countering fake narratives and disinformation, CDS Gen Anil Chauhan said Saturday, describing the four-day hostilities with Pakistan as a "non-contact and multi-domain" conflict involving both kinetic and non-kinetic elements that "exemplifies the future of war". "During the crisis, India retained full operational clarity and autonomy, regardless of broader geopolitical currents," the CDS said during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore as well as in interviews on its sidelines. India did not detect "any unusual activity" on the "operational or tactical depth" along the 3,488km Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China during this time, although Islamabad is closely allied with Beijing, he added. Moreover, while Pakistan may have leveraged Chinese commercial satellite imagery, the CDS said there is "no proof of real-time targeting support" provided by Beijing during Operation Sindoor. This came in the backdrop of there being no signs of de-escalation and de-induction of troops between the Indian and Chinese armies along the LAC as yet after disengagement at the two remaining face-off sites at Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh last Oct. Noting that almost 80% of the equipment procured by Pakistan over the last few years has been from China, the CDS said some kind of support and maintenance from OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) would certainly have been provided during the conflict. "India, by contrast, relied on indigenous systems like Akash, achieving success through effective system networking, integrating both domestic and foreign radars into a cohesive defence structure," Gen Chauhan said. Politically, the CDS said, India has drawn a new redline against terrorism and proxy war emanating from Pakistan, and "hopefully our adversary will learn lessons" from Operation Sindoor. While cross-border hostilities have ceased with effect from 5 pm on May 10, the Indian government had made it clear it would respond "precisely and decisively" should there be any further terror attacks with a Pakistani imprint. "So that has its own dynamics as far as the armed forces are concerned. It will require us to be prepared 24/7," he said. On the massive disinformation campaign, the CDS underlined the need for a dedicated information warfare vertical. India's strategy laid stress on fact-based communication, even at the cost of slower responses. Initially, two women officers served as spokespersons, while the senior military leadership was engaged in operations. Only after May 10, Army, IAF and Navy DGMOs briefed the media, he said. Gen Chauhan also said that cyber operations played a limited role during the conflict. While there were some denial-of-service attacks, India's air-gapped military systems remained secure. While public platforms faced minor disruptions, operational systems were unaffected, he said.
India.com
5 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Russian FM Lavrov Pitches For Reviving Russia-India-China Troika, Makes BIG Claim On LAC
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that the time has come to revive the Russia-India-China troika, citing improved relations between India and China. Lavrov stated that an understanding has been reached between the two nations on calming the border situation. "..Understanding has been reached between India and China on how to calm the situation on the border, it seems to me that the time has come to revive this Russia-India-China troika," Lavrov said. "..Understanding has been reached between India and China on how to calm the situation on the border, it seems to me that the time has come to revive this Russia India China troika.." Russian FM — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) May 30, 2025 Earlier in October 2024, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that after multiple rounds of talks, India and China have agreed to disengage from the contentious points. Misri further stated that both countries' negotiators have reached an agreement on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. "As a result of the discussions that have taken place over the last several weeks, an agreement has been arrived at on patroling arrangements along the line of actual control in the India-China border area and this is leading to dis-engagement and eventually a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020," Misri said. Misri's remark marked the major development between India and China after Galwan Clashes. The standoff between both countries began after the violent clash in the Galwan Valley. The relations between the two India and China deteriorated with India openly admitting that the relations are not cordial.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
15-year continuous stay since 2019 must to be Ladakh domicile
The Union Government is considering a new policy for Ladakh under which citizens who have had a continuous 15-year stay in the region, beginning 2019, will be considered domiciles, according to a consensus reached at a high-powered committee meeting between civil society leaders and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials on Tuesday (May 27, 2025). Any 'outsider' who settled in Ladakh after its special status along with that of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was struck down in 2019 will be considered a domicile only after 2034. The definition is important to decide eligibility to apply for 5% gazetted government vacancies as many citizens feared that people from other parts of the country would take away the jobs of the locals. At least 80% vacancies are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST), 4% for people living along the Line of Actual Control/Line of Control, 1% for Scheduled Castes and 10% for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019 without a Legislative Assembly after Article 370 of the Constitution was read down by the Parliament. A year later, the region comprising Buddhist-dominated Leh and Muslim-dominated Kargil district, erupted in protests with civil society leaders pressing forth constitutional safeguards such as Statehood for Ladakh, inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution thus giving it a tribal status, job reservation for locals and a parliamentary seat each for Leh and Kargil. Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, the president of Ladakh Buddhist Association and co-convenor of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) who is also part of the high-powered committee (HPC), said, 'It is a big achievement for our cause. The domicile policy will be notified in a week. A similar policy for Jammu and Kashmir was implemented with retrospective effect, but in Ladakh's case, any new domicile will be eligible for a government job only in 2034.' The J&K domicile policy notified in 2020 removed the concept of permanent residents stating that anyone 'who has resided for a period of 15 years in the UT of J&K or has studied for a period of seven years and appeared in Class 10th /12th examination in an educational institution located in the UT of J&K or who is registered as a migrant by the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants)' will be considered a domicile. The J&K policy said that children of Central government officials who have served in J&K for a 'total period of 10 years' will also be domiciles and it did not give a cut-off date. Since it became a UT, recruitment for gazetted government posts is yet to begin in Ladakh. LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have been protesting for the past four years. Sajjad Kargili of KDA said, 'LAB and KDA pushed for a 30-year domicile, MHA has agreed to review its legal aspect. Next meeting will be held on modalities of Public Service Commission. The meeting continued for around 4 hours as the two parties were deliberating on the domicile timeline.' The HPC led by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai was first constituted in January 2023 to address the concerns of people in Ladakh. The talks broke down in March 2024. In October 2024, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk sat on an indefinite fast in Delhi to draw the government's attention to their demands after which the MHA agreed to resume talks with civil society leaders from Ladakh on December 3 the same year. The next meeting was held on January 15 and Tuesday's meeting was the third round of dialogue after the talks resumed. During the December 3 talks, the MHA had proposed a 95% reservation in government jobs for locals in Ladakh and a one-third reservation for women in hill councils.
Mint
26-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Retail participation supports markets; banks, cement, defence may generate alpha: Devarsh Vakil of HDFC Securities
Expert view on markets: Devarsh Vakil, Head of Prime Research, HDFC Securities, says a confluence of factors, including geopolitical uncertainties, ongoing earnings season and institutional capital flows, keeps the market volatile. He adds that steady retail participation provides crucial market support during corrections. In an interview with Mint, Vakil says banks, cement, chemicals, defence, pharmaceuticals, metals, logistics, and telecom may generate alpha in FY26. Here are edited excerpts of the interview: Geopolitical uncertainties, ongoing earnings season, institutional capital flows, and derivatives expiry dates are the primary drivers of volatility in the Indian stock market. Unresolved issues on India's borders contribute to uncertainty that affects investor confidence and economic planning. Disputes occasionally along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China continue to present national security challenges. Cross-border terrorism from Pakistan and India's response weighed on investor sentiment and business confidence. The strategic competition between the United States and China continues to be a defining feature of the global landscape, impacting trade, technology, and security alliances worldwide. The war between Ukraine and Russia remains a primary source of instability in Europe, with significant humanitarian, economic, and geopolitical ramifications. Rapid advancements in areas like artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and cyber capabilities are creating new arenas for geopolitical competition, especially between China and the West. India's markets and economy have demonstrated remarkable resilience, consistently overcoming domestic and global challenges. The medium-term outlook remains bright, supported by robust growth prospects driven by a domestically oriented economy, youthful demographics, and advancing digitalisation, creating diverse, high-quality investment opportunities across industries. India's domestic economic foundation provides protection against global volatility, reinforcing that market downturns are temporary. The country's ongoing trade negotiations with Western nations will strengthen international business ties, expand export opportunities, attract steady foreign investment, and enhance global competitiveness. Monthly systematic investment plan (SIP) inflows across mutual funds continue showing consistent growth, driven by rising disposable incomes and increased awareness of disciplined investing. This steady retail participation provides crucial market support during corrections. The earnings season has met subdued expectations. Among 43 out of 50 Nifty companies that have reported, aggregate topline and bottom-line growth reached 5-6 per cent as anticipated. Consensus estimates project 12-13 per cent growth for the next year, which appears achievable. Banks, IT services, consumer, real estate, PSU banks, and non-lending NBFCs registered downgrades. Metals and OMCs (oil marketing companies) saw upgrades post these quarterly results. Automobile, NBFCs, and pharmaceuticals sectors saw notable upgrades in their FY26E EPS estimates. While US-China trade normalisation might trigger temporary capital flows from China, the longer-term outlook remains strong due to structural advantages. India's path to becoming the world's third-largest economy, supported by favourable demographics and rising per capita GDP, creates expanding domestic markets that attract both production and export-oriented FDI, as seen with Apple's manufacturing expansion. Government fiscal prudence and India's inclusion in global debt indices ensure steady bond flows, while foreign investors benefit from easier market access compared to China's restrictions. Declining inflation and lower energy prices support rate cuts, boosting capex and future growth potential. Indian corporations offer superior growth prospects, higher return on capital, and better governance standards than their Chinese counterparts - factors increasingly valued by institutional investors. Any near-term diversions to China likely represent tactical shifts rather than strategic repositioning. India's structural growth story, improving business environment, and corporate quality should continue attracting foreign capital across equity and debt markets, making temporary outflows a buying opportunity rather than a fundamental concern. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) forecasts GDP growth at around 6.5 per cent. On inflation, the RBI expects CPI inflation to be around 4 per cent for FY26. Strong domestic demand, fuelled by tax cuts and recovering rural consumption due to an above-normal monsoon, remains a key driver. The continued government focus on infrastructure and manufacturing—"Make in India" will boost investment. The service exports are expected to show resilience. Indian manufacturing is gradually benefiting from global supply chain diversification efforts. Global trade war-related uncertainties, including trade tensions and volatile commodity prices, pose significant external risks BFSI remains our preferred sector this year. Beyond this, we favour selective opportunities across cement, chemicals, defence, pharmaceuticals, metals, logistics, and telecom to generate alpha. Banks: RBI has cut repo rates by 50 bps, and we expect a further 50-75 bps reduction in FY26 as inflation has been firmly under control. Asset quality has improved across the board, and the trend could continue in the coming quarters. PSU banks have benefited from recoveries/upgradations and are likely to witness MTM gains due to falling yields. Cement: Increase in prices across regions (south being the leader, followed by east, central and west) on the back of an improvement in demand. The Indian cement industry is witnessing robust growth with a 7-8 per cent CAGR demand forecast through 2027, driven by strong infrastructure spending and housing demand, alongside an unprecedented consolidation phase where major players have aggressively acquired over 65 million tonnes of capacity recently, enhancing market reach, operational scale, and pricing power. Chemicals: There has been an increase in consumption of durables and non-durables, especially speciality chemicals, leading to demand growing faster than supply. Agrochem: A better monsoon forecast this year should boost the growth outlook of agri inputs, and will also benefit from recent inventory destocking. Pharmaceuticals: In the US, price erosion has stabilised in the base business. It was primarily offset by a robust contribution from niche products. The domestic formulation business would see steady growth of 8-14 per cent, depending on its therapeutic focus. Chronic should lead the growth of about 200- 300 bps ahead of overall IPM growth. Metals: government measures such as a 12 per cent safeguard duty on flat steel imports to protect domestic producers amid rising imports. Steel demand in India is projected to grow by approximately 8-10 per cent in 2025, driven by intensified infrastructure spending, vigorous construction activity, and supportive government policies, positioning the sector for continued expansion. Logistics: Falling energy costs will lead to margin expansion in steady demand. Government support for consumption, rising e-commerce penetration, and rural market expansion create a favourable backdrop for logistics companies. Telecom: Driven by improved average revenue per user (ARPU), expanding 5G adoption, and continued growth in home broadband connections. We expect to see another ARPU hike in the next one to two quarters. The defence sector, particularly in light of the Indian government's strong push for 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India' initiatives, has emerged as one of the most promising sectors within the Indian markets. These policies are fundamentally reshaping the industry, creating significant opportunities for domestic players. We have been optimistic about this space and have recommended various defence stocks from time to time, contingent upon our assessment of valuation and margin of safety. Shipyards stocks look very promising for the longer term. Overall, the long-term trajectory appears positive, driven by a clear policy direction and a focus on indigenous manufacturing and procurement. When it comes to PSUs, it's important to recognise that this is a very broad and diverse category, encompassing companies across numerous industries. Therefore, a generalised view on PSUs would not be appropriate. Our approach is more selective. Currently, we see potential in select PSU banks. These institutions are benefiting from a healthier credit cycle, improved asset quality, and a supportive macroeconomic environment. However, we maintain a cautious stance on PSU oil and gas companies at this juncture. Read all market-related news here Read more stories by Nishant Kumar Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, not Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions, as market conditions can change rapidly, and circumstances may vary.
