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Post cold-war years and disintegration of erstwhile USSR have resulted into changed equations between many past friendships and India-Russia relations is one of them. Both have each other but have also found new friends in the region and beyond. The two nations since India’s independence remained on a strong footing, although defence cooperation was the fulcrum of the rapport.  But the friendship covered numerous other vital issues including space, nuclear energy, science and technology, economic, political and anti-terrorism just to name few.

Presently both countries have not only a significant joint venture in BrahMos cruise missile but also has Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, T-90 tanks, Akula-II nuclear submarine, Aircraft Carrier-INS Vikramaditya and many more Russian strike powers on land, sea and air. Besides cooperation on diverse fields Russia constantly supported India on Kashmir, liberation of Goa, as well as at the time of India-Pakistan wars especially in 1971 war when United States sent US Seventh Fleet which was the world’s largest warship to help Pakistan, Russia came for India’s salvage.

After the disintegration of Soviet Union, Russia lost super power status and the cold war era was also over. India which was importing 70 percent of its defence needs from Russia also started importing armaments from different countries especially from United States and Israel.  It irked Russia as it was loosing close ally as well as an assured market.

On one hand the relations between Russia and Western world became tense and on the other hand Indian foreign policy also tilted towards USA and Europe. Hence Russia also became close to China as well as to Pakistan. Both Pakistan and Russia signed a defence cooperation agreement in November 2014 which included several crucial subjects including collaboration in military fields, counter international terrorism, exchange of information, drug trafficking, topography and hydrography etc.

Besides the agreement Russia is also likely to join China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is greatly against the interests of India. Russia and China also restrained India from the inclusion of Lashkar-e-Toiba (L-e-T) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (J-e-M) both Pakistan based Deobandi terrorist organisations in BRICS Declaration which was a direct assistance to Pakistan.

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation visited Pakistan and held ‘first-ever’ discussion on regional issues on December 14, 2016. The discussions included important regional and international issues. There are unconfirmed reports that Russian Intelligence chief also visited Gwadar port and ascertained the details about CPEC.

Russian assessment that Islamic State is the bigger danger in Afghanistan than Taliban is analogous to Pakistan’s stand and against the viewpoint of India and Afghanistan, as both these countries consider that Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) supported Pakistan based terrorist outfits are responsible for the terrorist activities in Afghanistan.  In addition to all these events, recent Russia-Pakistan military flirtation was a big jolt to long standing India Russia relations. Russian troops had a two weeks counter-terrorism joint exercise with Pakistani troops from 24 September to 10 October 2016. The joint exercise commenced within a week of Pakistan trained terrorists attack on Indian Army camp in Uri, in which 18 soldiers were martyred and more than 30 sustained injuries. Although India and Russia are conducting joint counter-terrorism exercise at Vladivistok from last eight years but Russia-Pakistan exercise was a new phenomenon in the region.

After disintegration of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) , Russia not only lost the super power status, its financial strength was also considerably abridged because of lowered oil prices and sanctions imposed by the Western world. On the other hand the position of China has considerably strengthened due to its financial clout and its role in BRICS New Development Bank, The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) or CPEC. Now Russia needs China more than the other way round.

China is assisting Pakistan in diverse fields and also using latter to stall India’s economic progress hence as an aftermath of close China Russia relations, the alliance between Russia and Pakistan also improved. The analysts claim that Russia would have obliged India in BRICS-Goa by insertion of L-e-T and J-e-M in declaration but because of Chinese stringent opposition Russia opposed the inclusion.

In view of growing proximity between Russia China and Pakistan India should also try to inculcate cordial relations with all the neighbouring countries as well as regional and world powers.

India should also not be excessively worried about growing Russia Pakistan dealings as the relations between India and Russia are old and time tested, though there is no permanent friend or foe in international relations but the relations between India and Russia are also being strengthened. Indian private sector has invested in Russian company Rosneft; Indian companies are importing diamonds directly from Russia and there is a civil nuclear cooperation between both the countries.

DurIng recent visit of Putin both countries signed defence deals worth Rs.43000 Crores including purchase of S-400 long-range air defence missile system, joint production of four stealth frigates and 200 Kamov helicopters. As two units of Kudankulum nuclear power plant are ready hence the work for Unit 3 and 4 also commenced.

Zamir Kabulov, The Russian President’s special Envoy on Afghanistan rightly commented that “The size of cooperation between Russia and India can’t be compared with Pakistan. It is many hundred times more.”

The proximity between Russia and China is increasing and Russia is sharing technologies with China but there is deep suspicion between both the countries. Russia which was a superpower in yesteryears would not like to act as a junior partner of China. Hence the closeness between China and Russia may not last long. President Putin as a powerful leader would never allow China to occupy the place of superpower which was occupied by erstwhile USSR before. It will also be against the interests of India.

It is good that India is cultivating close relations with Western countries especially USA but these relations should not be at the cost of its relations with Russia. At this juncture both India and US needs each other. India is the biggest importer of arms and US companies want to sell their armaments to India without transferring the cutting edge technology. India must insist to get advance technology from these firms and if feasible it should become part of ‘Make in India’. India would be spending USD 150 billion to modernize its defence forces by 2027 and the leadership must utilize this leverage in getting latest technology.The analysts also forecast that the personal relationship between US President elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin would be cordial while the chances that US China relations may deteriorate as Trump may like to go for two China policy. Once Russia leans towards US the warmth of Russian Pakistan relations would also go down. 

(Jai Kumar Verma is a Delhi-based former diplomat and strategic analyst. He was posted in Pakistan, Washington and Dubai. The views are personal. This article first appeared in aviation and defence universe.com and is being reproduced here with the author’s permission.)”

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The British Library and the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival will host a series of events in Jaipur and London during 2017. In January the British Library will be part of the programme in Jaipur that looks at the legacy of Magna Carta, including the loan of a facsimile of the 1215 Magna Carta to be displayed on site during the Festival. In May, the British Library will host the London leg of the Festival for the first time.

The ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival travels to London for the fourth time with a creative caravan of writers and thinkers, poets and balladeers brought together by co-directors Namita Gokhale and William Dalrymple. Showcasing South Asia’s unique multilingual literary heritage and the Festival’s global programme and appeal, JLF@London is an intense two-day teaser of the original festival, celebrating its 10th anniversary in January, declared the ‘greatest literary show on earth’.

Inspired by the 70th anniversary of Indian Independence JLF@London  will look at ‘The Idea of India’ with eminent authors from India and the UK and will showcase South Asia’s multilingual literary heritage, oral and performing arts, books and ideas, dialogue and debate, Bollywood and politics in the context of this broader view of India and its relationship to the UK.

The festival’s partnership with the British Library places the legacy of Magna Carta, and its influence on the Indian constitution, at the centre of discussions and debates at ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival. The British Library is loaning a facsimile of the 1215 Magna Carta to be displayed on site at the Diggi Palace during the Festival and Claire Breay, Head of Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts at the British Library joins a panel to discuss justice.

The Magna Carta established the “rule of law” in England in 1215 after 25 barons forced the then King of England King John to agree to follow an agreed form of justice. Now over 800 years old the ancient document is celebrated for establishing the primacy of the “rule of law” in the functioning of a society, and is often cited as the original source of Article 21 of the Constitution of India – “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law”.

ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival will explore the concept of justice and the “rule of law” in relation to India today. Sanjoy K.Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts who organise the Jaipur Literature Festival said: “The Jaipur Literature Festival has developed immeasurably over the past 10 years and established itself as and is delighted to partner with the British Library to give audiences in the UK a taste of what they can experience in Jaipur.  In an important year for UK and India relations, we are looking forward to exploring common foundations in the Magna Carta as well as our many cultural and trade connections both at JLF@London in May and in Jaipur in January.”

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manoj_kumar_gallery_image_250_250Popularly known as “”Bharat Kumar”” for his role as a patriotic Indian in films like “”Purab aur Paschim””, and “”Upkaar””, veteran film actor and director Manoj Kumar will be conferred the 47th Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2015 for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema. The Award consists of a Golden Lotus, cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs and a shawl.”

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Giving him the benefit of doubt, a Jodhpur Court has acquitted actor  Salman Khan of charges under the Arms Act case against him in the alleged poaching of two black bucks.

The decision came as the prosecution failed to provide conclusive evidence against him in the 18-year-old case. The prosecution counsel BS Bhati said they would appeal against the acquittal in the Sessions Court. In the 102-page judgment, the Chief Judicial Magistrate Dalpat Singh Rajpurohit said that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges under sections 3/25 and 3/27 of the Indian Arms Act.
 A case against the Bollywood actor was registered in October 1998 for his alleged use and possession of arms with an expired license during the alleged poaching of two black bucks in Kankani village.

Salman Khan’s 0.22 rifle and 0.32 revolver had expired licenses and cases were filed under Sections 3/25 and 3/27. The maximum sentence in Section 3/25 is usually three years while Section 3/27 has seven years as the maximum sentence.Salman Khan was present in the court of CJM (Jodhpur), where the verdict was pronounced. He arrived in Jodhpur yesterday with his sister Alvira and his advocates.The defense counsel H M Saraswat said “”the court admitted our arguments that Khan was framed in this case as he had no concrete evidence against him.””According to the prosecution counsel Bhawani Singh Bhati, the arguments in the case were completed on January 9 in the trial court and the order had been reserved by the magistrate to be pronounced today.

Of the four cases against him, Salman Khan has already been acquitted in two cases of poaching by the High Court while a third case of poaching is in its final stage.”

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As the ideologue of ruling the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is in pursuit of its agenda of Hindu Rashtra. Calculated attempts are being made by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Lotus party, to whip up trouble in universities by isolating the so called anti-nationals. BJP leaders are shouting from rooftops that they will come down heavily against anti-national elements. The prestigious Central university – Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in the national Capital appears to be a test case. Â 

The State’s intervention is to send a strong and stern message that dissent will not be tolerated. The arrest of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and cracking down on political dissent has brought to center-stage once again the BJP-led NDA government’s bid to stifle free speech. Kanhaiya Kumar has since been granted interim bail by the Delhi High Court, released and welcomed by thousands of JNU students in the campus where he addressed a large gathering of his fellow students Thursday evening and asserted that he was for Azadi within India and not from India. His hour-long speech has gone viral on the social media network.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu reacted by saying that the JNUSU president “”is getting free publicity and is enjoying it.”” “”They are all studying at a Central university, where public money is involved, so they must do justice to the cause and they must study, that’s all,”” Mr. Naidu advised. However, there is marked silence about action being taken against lower court lawyers for attacking Kumar as well as roughing up reporters of the audio-visual as well as the print media.

The crackdown at JNU was instigated by the alleged chanting of anti-national slogans along with a meeting to mark the death anniversary of Afzal Guru who was convicted and hanged for his involvement in Parliament House terror attack. Kumar was arrested and the outgoing Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi claimed that they had evidence to charge him with sedition which has rarely been proved in the past. If convicted for sedition, he faces life imprisonment. The JNUSU president has maintained he had not said anything anti-national and has full trust and faith in the Constitution of India. Investigation agencies have found many of the videos showing Kumar shouting slogans to be doctored. The alleged complicity of the Delhi police under the leadership of Mr. Bassi been a matter of concern.

With tempers running high against the so called anti-national elements, Union Home minister Rajnath Singh and Human Resource minister Smriti Irani emphasized anti-national slogans will not be tolerated. The Centre views itself as being the torch bearers of nationalism. The use of state power is to put the defenders of liberty and critics of the state on their guard. The RSS does not want to let go this opportunity with the BJP having secured a majority on its own in the Lok Sabha since the party was formed in 1980. During NDA I when BJP’s liberal stalwart Atal Behari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister heading a disparate 26-party coalition government from 1999 to 2004, the RSS was sidelined as the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) adopted then steered clear of the three point Hindutva agenda. These pertained to building a Ram temple at Ayodhya, abrogation of Article 370 according special status to the only Muslim majority state of Jammu and Kashmir in the country and having a Uniform Civil Code. The second time around the RSS is determined in implementing its agenda. They handpicked Mr. Modi, then Gujarat Chief Minister, in September 2013 to be the BJP’s Pime Ministerial nominee. He did not disappoint. He carried the day repeatedly underlining that he is a Hindu nationalist. He stole the thunder with the people rooting for him overwhelmingly as he focussed on development and stressed upon “”Sab ka Saath, Saab ka Vikas “”along with making a multitude of promises.

Mr. Modi’s invincibility at the hustings after the 2014 Lok Sabha elections was shattered when he lost the assembly elections in Delhi last year. The BJP suffered a mind boggling defeat managing only three seats and the remaining 67 in the 70-member assembly being gobbled up by the fledgling Aam Aadmi party of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. It was highly embarrassing for the Prime Minister. Then again later in October-November the BJP suffered a loss of face in the assembly elections in Bihar, one of the main battleground states in the Hindi Heartland. Lalu Prasad Yadav and chief minister Nitish Kumar forming the Mahagatbandhan put paid to BJP’s hopes.

Realising that the Lotus party was safe in occupying the seat of power on the Raisina Hill till the 2019 general elections, Mr. Modi and the RSS appear working to a game plan. It will be naive to assume that the RSS pressure is not getting to the Prime Minister. The meeting of Vice-Chancellors of central universities under the aegis of Smriti Irani recently adopted a resolution that central universities should install the national flag on their campus to instil patriotic fervour among the students. What it means is that students of JNU are not nationalist enough barring a handful belonging to the ABVP. Other universities are also not sufficiently nationalist.

Countering the BJP or the Sangh Parivar is not going to be easy. The courts will no doubt have their say but the incident in JNU is a warning to the people who disagree with the BJP’s Ram Rajya. The obstacles in countering the Parivar are many. Mr. Modi’s second term as Prime Minister will depend on predelictions of his masters in Nagpur where the RSS is headquartered. His chances will primarily depend on whether he is able to deliver on his pledges. He has shown he can think out of the box and take snap decisions. On the other had UPA II had lost its vigour with then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi dabbling in dual authority. For the BJP and the Sangh Parivar JNU is a test case given the various student bodies’ Left orientation and secular character. The present challenge is a test for the country’s political democratic system as well as the opposition to strike a balance. Shutting down JNU might well be pipe dream.

T R Ramachandran is a senior journalist and a commentator. Views are personal.”

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zikaGlobally, 1 in 33 newborns have birth defects and an estimated 2,76,000 babies die within the first month as a result of these defects. Yet, birth defects remain under-recognized. World Birth Defects Day observed on 3 March every year comes at a time when the global spotlight is on Zika virus disease and its strongly suspected causal relation with clusters of microcephaly and other neurological abnormalities. Microcephaly is one of many birth defects.

Birth defects are a major cause of still-births and neonatal mortality. Those who survive birth defects often suffer long-term disability. These deaths and life-long sufferings cause untold miseries to individuals and families, and have negative socio-economic consequences.

The most common birth defects in WHO South-East Asia Region are heart defects, neural tube defects and Down’s syndrome, with the most severe defects occurring in middle and low resource settings. According to the WHO, birth defects can be genetic, infectious, nutritional or environmental in origin. Creating awareness among the public on the causes of birth defects and empowering them to take preventive measures is an important step to reducing their prevalence. Many birth defects can be prevented by taking appropriate measures before and during pregnancy. Timely and cost effective measures can help prevent deaths and cure or minimize the effects of birth defects. Rubella vaccination, adequate intake of folic acid, iodine through fortification of staple foods and salt or supplements, and adequate antenatal care are keys steps for prevention of birth defects.

Simultaneously, making quality health care services available to provide early care for children born with birth defects can go a long way in reducing their burden, says Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director, South East Asia. In 2010, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution on birth defects calling all countries to promote primary prevention and improve the health of children with congenital anomalies.

Focusing efforts in this area in the South-East Asia Region, WHO has established a web-based new-born and birth defect (NBBD) surveillance network in 150 hospitals in 8 countries with the support of the CDC-USA. In view of WHO declaring clusters of microcephaly in Latin America as Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 1 February, an online system has been added to the NBBD network to report on head circumference in all births. This is to monitor the occurrence of microcephaly in the South-East Asia Region. The World Birth Defects Day, initiated by global health organizations last year, is aimed at creating awareness on birth defects which continues to be an important cause of childhood death, chronic illness and disability in many countries. The day is a reminder to all of us to further commit our efforts towards ensuring a healthy and birth-defects free life for every new-born.”

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bioauthors.pngProviding access to sexual and reproductive health education is critical to the health and well being of an entire society, particularly its girls and women. Yes, there are text books that have volumes of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information, but these lifesaving lessons are not reaching the people that need it most – young people. Young people in Pakistan and India are often shockingly uninformed and lack the tools necessary to prevent risky behavior. Teachers and parents do not address these issues,leaving adolescents without the critical knowledge they need to protect their health.As well, what material is available is often found in text books,which do not resonate with a generation accustomed to accessing information online.

For India and Pakistan,itis essential to educate and provide all young people with accurate, comprehensive information on sexual and reproductive health – as well as rights.We are faced with these challenges across the regionand around the world. For such an important issue, we often have far too little data to inform smart policy making. The most recent statistics available on knowledge of sexual and reproductive health in India are a decade old and show that that only 20% of 15–24-year-old women have comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS. This gap in knowledge makes it clear that we need to invest more in the health, rights and well being of girls and women both inthe region and throughout the world.

If we filled these global gaps in sexual and reproductive health servives, education and rights — and provided women with the full range of pregnancy care they are entitled to — we could reduce unintended pregnancy by 70% and unsafe abortions by 74% according to UNFPA and Guttmacher Institute. We also know that when girls and women can choose when and where to have children, they are more likely to reach their full potential – and so are their families, communities and economies. For these reasons, we owe it to our mothers, sisters and daughters, as well as our families and communities, to do more and do better — and young people are leading the change. In India, a youth-led development agency called “Restless Development” is working to educate rural youth in Bihar on comprehensive sexuality education. Volunteer teachers, all young people, workin primary and secondary schools and use creative techniques, including drama, dance, and games to share accurate sexual and reproductive health care information with students.

Bringing this education directly to young people is imperative if we want to improve the sexual and reductive health of girls and women, and it’s not just happening in schools. A mobile app currently in development called “M-Sathi” provides comprehensive sexual education information to young people in both English and Hindi. With smartphone use booming throughout the region, the potential for impact from digital education is enormous.

We must approach health and development through a gender lens. And, we must look for solutions from every region, sector and generation – from a comprehensive mobile app that gamifies sexual and reproductive health education, to youth-led trainings that fill gaps in traditional school curriculum. These solutions and many more will be explored at the Women Deliver 2016 Conference taking place in Copenhagen in May. Global and local leaders, including Hina Jilani, Muhammad Yunus and Farhan Akhtar will stand alongside 5,000 world influencers and advocates—from the highest-levels of government to grassroots change-makers—to discuss how to deliver on promises to girls and women.

Crucially, a good 20% of attendees will be young people – and for good reason: young people aren’t just our tomorrow. They are the leaders of today, and must be given opportunities to drive change in their communities. With the endorsement of the recently launched Sustainable Development Goals Ã¢Â€Â“ a set of UN goals adopted by 193 countries that aim to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all by 2030 – we can and must ensure that the global push to end poverty, fight inequality and tackle climate change starts with every girl and woman, no matter where she lives, no matter her age. As they say, it is time to translate the “talk into walk”” and turn speech lines into budget lines.

This International Women’s Day, let’s recognize the powerful solutions every young person and every generation has to offer. Let’s work smarter for girls and women everywhere.

Views expressed are personal

By Katja Iversen, Women Deliver CEO and Franklin Gnanamuthu, Women Deliver Young Leader & Restless Development Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator

About the authors

Katja Iversen, Women Deliver CEO

Katja Iversen joined Women Deliver as chief executive officer in March 2014. Iversen, an internationally recognized expert on development and communications, has more than 20 years of experience working in NGOs, corporates and U.N. agencies. Previously, she held the position of chief of strategic communication and public advocacy with UNICEF.

Franklin Paul Anand Gnanamuthu, Women Deliver Young Leader

Franklin works as Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator at Restless Development, a youth-led development agency. Franklin joined the organization in 2011, and was instrumental in starting and leading the Comprehensive Sexuality Education program in the two districts of state of Bihar reaching more than 8,000 youths through 8 volunteers. He now works to ensure program quality through developing effective monitoring systems, trainings, and evaluations. He is a skilled and experienced trainer, and serves as regular representative of the Voices of Youth in India.”

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2-inter-services-intelligencePrime Minister Nawaz Sharif led civilian government in Pakistan and the Modi government have shown desire to have cordial relations as both of them won elections on the premise of growth and development. Both the Prime Ministers – Mr. Modi and Mr Nawaz Sharif know that the neighbouring  countries can progress if the animosity between them ends as they are spending their huge resources on defence and purchase of armaments. However, the overriding Pakistan army which avails several privileges in the country on the imaginary threat of annihilation of Pakistan by India does not allow civilian government to have friendly relations with its eastern neighbour. Pakistani Army chief General Raheel Sharif also wants to keep the civilian government under control, hence, whenever the leaders of India and Pakistan try to minimize the differences, military controlled Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) sabotages peace process by sponsoring terrorist activities in India.

ISI funded Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) attacked Dina Nagar Police Station in Gurdaspur in Punjab last July 27 and killed a Superintendent of Police and six  innocent persons just after the meeting between Modi and Sharif at Ufa. The ISI equipped the terrorists with sophisticated weapons, strategic information and training. Same way ISI sponsored Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and United Jihad Council (UJC) attacked Pathankot Airbase this January  2 within a few days of the stopover of PM Modi at Lahore where both the prime ministers had cordial  meetings. ISI was so desperate to carry out attack on Pathankot airbase that it utilized its contacts used in drug smuggling. Here it will not be out of point to mention that ISI seldom uses routes and contacts of drug smuggling in carrying out terrorist activities as drug smuggling contacts are far more precious than low level agents who carry out terrorist activities.

Pathankot airbase which is the first line of defence against Pakistan is situated near the border and at the time of attack Mig-21fighter planes and Mi-25 and Mi-35 attack helicopters were in the base. The terrorists were instructed to destroy planes especially Mi-25 helicopters as India promised to give 4 helicopters to Afghanistan.  Although Pakistan trained terrorists could not damage the high value assets but seven valiant security personnel including a Lieutenant Colonel lost their lives. ISI backed terrorist outfits are continuing with the attacks and the latest attack was in Pampore near Srinagar on February 23. The security forces rescued more than 100 persons including son of Syed Salahuddin, who is the head of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and mastermind of several terrorist activities in India especially in Jammu and Kashmir. Six persons including two Army Captains lost their lives while all three terrorists were also killed. However, a wind of change is blowing and the terrorists killed in encounter with security forces at Pampore were not treated as martyrs and residents of village Bonyar refused the burial of the slain terrorists in their village.

Besides sponsoring terrorist attacks the nefarious ISI is also involved in smuggling of more than Rs.7500 Crores of drugs and large quantity of Indian Fake Currency Notes (IFCN) in India. The money generated through smuggling of drugs and IFCN is utilized by ISI in financing several terrorist outfits and activating Khalistan secessionist movement. All powerful Pakistan army would not allow feeble civilian government to have friendly relations with India hence the Modi government should chalk out a long term plan to counter cross border terrorism. Firstly, it should continue its sincere efforts to have negotiations with Pakistan. Secondly, it must modernize the security forces so that the terrorists cannot infiltrate and if at all they penetrate they must be eliminated expeditiously.

The intelligence organisations should be strengthened so that they produce actionable intelligence and that too in advance. Ministry of External Affairs must disseminate information in diplomatic circles about ISI sponsored terrorism in India. The important installations including Air Force Bases and Naval installations should be safeguarded by trained security agencies as Air Force and Naval personnel may not be fully trained to secure their bases. Security agencies should also involve public in countering terrorism. Village and local Mohalla Committees should be made and they should inform the security agencies if they observe any undesirable person or article. Beat constables should be more vigilant and should have cordial relations with the residents of their areas.

Pakistan must realize that it has more problems than India. All the nationalities in Pakistan are against the domination of Punjabis. Baluchis, Pashtuns, Sindhis, Muhajirs and a few more nationalities want to separate from Pakistan. It would be in the interest of Pakistan that state actors there  discontinue sponsoring cross border terrorism as it is also realizing of late that terror incidents are wreaking havoc there also.

Jai Kumar Verma is a Delhi-based security analyst. Views are personal.“

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JFKForgottenrisis.pngThe help rendered to India in 1962 by then U S President John Fitzgerald Kennedy brings to the fore the key role played by him against the expansionist designs of Communist China. Kennedy’s role cannot be undermined in his handling of the India-China conflict as well as the Cuban crisis which had the portends of escalating into a full fledged war.

“”JFK’S FORGOTTEN CRISIS : TIBET, THE CIA, And Sino-Indian War”” authored by Bruce Reidel with a thirty year career in the Central Intelligence Agency looks at the charismatic leadership of Kennedy. Handling of the Sino-Indian conflict and the Cuban crisis was the tour de force of policy making at the highest level. Presently a senior fellow and Director of the Brookings Intelligence Project, he analysis Kennedy’s role in the Sino-Indian war which has been largely ignored. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy played no small part in bolstering diplomatic relations with India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Reidel’s analysis of declassified CIA documents and top secret letters between Nehru and Kennedy provides valuable insight on the war, diplomacy and covert operations.

The 1965 the CIA concluded that the Tibet uprising had gravely compromised Nehru’s ability to keep India’s relations with China friendly. The crisis between the two countries was now in the open. The Dalai Lama’s presence in India was another major point of friction between India and China. The temporal head of the Tibetans was granted political asylum in March 1959 when he fled the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). Nehru sought to navigate a difficult balance — providing help to the Tibetan leader by allowing him to set up an informal government in exile in India without alienating China. However, China saw the Dalai Lama as a mortal enemy trying to subvert its control over Tibet.

Then IB Director Mullik saw China as India’s main threat, along with Pakistan. Starting from scratch with no intelligence capability in 1948, India had greatly increased its intelligence infrastructure along the northern border in response to the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Kennedy handpicked John Kenneth Galbraith, who spent half a century at Harvard teaching economics, to be the ambassador to India. He was the central American player in the 1962 Sino-Indian crisis. Vice-President Richard Nixon, as Kennedy’s opponent was an outspoken supporter of Pakistan and a sharp critic of Nehru and India. After a visit to South Asia Nixon said that “”Pakistan is a country I would do anything for. They have less complexes than the Indians.”” Kennedy felt the Nixon approach was out of step with the changes sweeping the world, particularly the independence granted to countries.

The US intelligence agencies judged India’s “”major foreign policy problem centred on the threat of Communist China.”” Nehru and his advisors gradually implemented what became known as the “”Forward Policy”” of sending Indian military forces into contested and disputed territory with China. In the early 1960s, India began to build military outposts behind the Chinese troops in the disputed land so as to cut off their supplies and force their return to China. This led to some scholars and in particular Australian journalist and author Neville Maxwell to argue “”it was Nehru and not the Chinese who declared war.”” Mullik reported two important insights to Nehru. First the Chinese consulate in Calcutta was secretly telling the Indian Communist party leadership that “”forced by the adamant attitude of the Indian government about the border, the Chinese government was going to adopt a new line of action towards India.””

The new action will be implemented in the fall (September to November) and China wanted its sympathizers in India to be ready to back the Chinese claims. Mullik’s assessment of “”possible military collusion between Pakistan and China”” was a bombshell for the Indian leadership. The prospect of a two front war as Mullik later wrote “”remained imprinted in the minds of our leaders and the Army headquarters. The bulk of the Indian army was deployed on the Pakistan front leaving only the weaker units to face China and the PLA.”” In May 1962 China began a major buildup of forces facing the weak Indian position in North Eastern Frontier Area (NEFA). Brigadier John P Dalvi who was captured in the fighting in October 1962 concluded after talking to senior Chinese army commanders “”it is ludicrous to suggest that India had provoked the Chinese, forcing the Chinese to launch self defense counter attacks. The war was coldly and calculatingly planned by the Chinese.”” Later he wrote that the Chinese withdrawal was the “”direct result of President Kennedy’s direct action.””

At one point Nehru and his intelligence chief were fully expecting to lose control of all of Northeastern India to China east of the Siliguri neck. At the peak of the crisis on November 19, 1962, Nehru wrote two letters to Kennedy. Realizing the desperate situation at one point of time, Nehru wrote to Kennedy asking the US to join the war against China. It was a momentous request. Assuring JFK that the equipment will not be used against Pakistan, Nehru observed “”the stakes were not merely the survival of India but the survival of free and independent governments in the whole of this subcontinent and Asia. India is ready to spare no effort until the threat posed by Chinese expansionist and aggressive militarism to freedom and independence is completely eliminated.”” In his second letter Nehru asked Kennedy for 350 combat aircraft and crew. At least 10,000 persons will be needed to staff and operate the jets, provide radar support and conduct logistical support for the operation.

In his diary Galbraith notes that on the morning of November 21, 1962, “”like a thief in the night peace arrived.”” Just before midnight on November 20 the Chinese government declared a unilateral ceasefire along the entire Sino-Indian border that would begin within 24 hours. In addition, on December 01 Chinese forces will withdraw to positions 20 Km behind the Line of Actual Control (LOAC) which existed between India and China since November 07, 1959. China would keep the strategic but uninhabited land in the west, and in the east retain its claim to NEFA, but adhere to the de facto border situation that existed before the 1962 war. Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai warned Nehru that refusal to cooperate will jeopardise the ceasefire.

The question is how would Kennedy have answered Nehru’s desperate appeal for American pilots to start flying combat missions to fight the Chinese and defend India, Reidel believes “”almost certainly the President would have reacted positively to India’s request. Kennedy believed that the rivalry between India and China was an existential issue for the United States.”” When Pakistan complained and asked for compensation, Kennedy refused to be blackmailed. “”The 1962 war was over on Chinese terms. India had lost,”” observed the author.

Salient Points

• President John F Kennedy’s key role against the expansionist designs of China against India in the 1962 war cannot be undermined.
• Charismatic Kennedy managed to ensure the Cuban crisis did not escalate into a full fledged war.
• Tibet uprising in 1965 had affected Nehru’s ability to maintain friendly Sino-Indian ties.
• Nehru had made a momentous request for U S help in flying combat missions against China.
• Author Bruce Reidel believes almost certainly Kennedy would have a reacted positively to India’s request.
• “”The 1962 war was over on Chinese terms. India had lost,”” emphasised the author

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To promote a nationwide initiative that aims to build a social movement for sanitation and toilet use to end open-defecation in India, the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket for Good and UNICEF in partnership with BCCI has launched the ‘Team Swachh Clinics’ during the ICC WT20 tournament. To mark the occasion, the ICC WT20 Men’s and Women’s trophies traveled on the Nissan Trophy Tour float through the streets of Mumbai. Exhilarated fans got the opportunity to photograph themselves with the ICC WT20 Trophies. A specially designed double-decker bus carried the children from a local NGOs and Indian cricket teamplayer Sameer Dighe and Diana Edulji.

The Indian cricket players interacted with fans as the cavalcade made its way to photograph themselves with the ICC Trophies. Playing cricket-based games with the children along with advocating the use of toilets, Sameer Dighe and Diana Edulji engaged with the children when sharing cricketing tips and discussing the importance of hygiene and sanitation in the specially designed Team Swachh WASH clinic set up inside the Wankhede Stadium. Calling the initiative a ‘social movement for sanitation’, Ms. Caroline Den Dulk, Chief of Communication, UNICEF India said: “The idea of team and team play is at the core of the Team Swachh initiative and it leverages the vast passion of the sport in the country to advocate toilet use and save lives of children.”

The ICC WT20 Host City Tour visited each of the venues in Dharamshala, Mohali, Delhi, Kolkata, Nagpur, Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai that will host the ICC WT20 matches. Present and former Indian cricket players from women and men team advocated for open defecation free india during the ICC world T20 trophy tour that travelled across 8 cities in India. The players are Rishi Dhawan in Dharamshala, Gurtheerath Singh in Mohali, Yuvraj Singh and Pawan Negi in Delhi, Umesh Yadav in Nagpur, Manoj Tiwary and Mythali in Kolkata, Dinesh Karthik in Chennai, Venkatesh Prasad and Jhulan Goswami in Bengaluru and Sameer Dighe and Diana Edulji in Mumbai. Earlier in October 2015, the ICC Cricket For Good and UNICEF launched a five-year global partnership in New York. They decided to engage the broader cricketing community to empower children and adolescents. In particular, during the many ICC events over the next five years, they will develop and implement various community outreach programmes and initiatives in collaboration with coaches, cricketers and cricketing personalities.”