A year after the Balakot strikes, do you notice any change in Pakistan’s terror policy?
International pressure has been built on Pakistan. It is forced to take action against homegrown terror outfits. [The Jamaat-udDawa chief] Hafiz Saeed has been given a prison sentence. Action has also been taken against Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar.
Will Pakistan ever give up using terrorism for strategic advantage?
If this is Pakistan’s strategy, then it is a failed strategy. It is due to terrorism that it is facing so many problems at the international level. The Financial Action Task Force has kept Pakistan on its grey list and warned that it can go into the blacklist soon. It is proving to be a disadvantage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that if a war takes place, India can defeat Pakistan in 7-10 days. On what basis does he say that?
That question would arise only if Pakistan had ever won a war. All four times—1948, 1965, 1971 and in the Kargil War of 1999— Pakistan lost to India. So where is the doubt whether India will win? Today, we have moved much ahead in capabilities. I would say the result is pre-declared. This is not just my claim, the international community agrees with it.
How is the preparedness of our armed forces?
The morale is upbeat. Their biggest strength is that they are upbeat and rational at the same time. On both India-China and India-Pakistan borders, they maintain a rational approach. Whenever there is a face-off on the India-China border, the Chinese army and our own forces do not allow the confrontation to escalate. Even during ceasefire violations on the India-Pakistan border, our instructions are clear. The first bullet will not be fired by us; but if we are shot at, the forces are free to fire. They do not have to wait for directions from the government.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 15, 2020 من THE WEEK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 15, 2020 من THE WEEK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Ram temple not an issue in south
Much has been said this election season about the alleged north-south divide.
Haute and sweaty
In Mumbai, where I live and work, there is a severe heatwave going on. The highest temperature this month has been 40 degrees, sweltering and humid for the coastal city.
MOVE AWAY MARY!
In many parts of the world,unique names are becoming popular
CALL OF THE WILD
Tejas Thackeray, the younger son of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, shares his passion for wildlife conservation and photography
CEPA and beyond
Bilateral trade between the UAE and India has grown almost 16 per cent year-on-year, touching $84.5 billion
Brash and raw
When I chanced upon Raj Narain, who humbled Indira Gandhi
Lone voice of dissent
“I am keen to invite Parakala [Prabhakar] to Mumbai… What do you think? Do you know him?” A friend asked. No, I don’t know the man. And no, it is not a good idea to invite him, unless you want to invite trouble, I replied.
Modi and the Muslim syndrome
I have long been intrigued by the prime minister’s desire to hug every passing sheikh and sultan and his contrasting contempt for the ordinary Indian Muslim.
Assam Rifles not trained to guard borders; need separate force for Manipur border
Imphal is blanketed in darkness. The sun has set a little too soon in the valley, but N. Biren Singh is yet to call it a day.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENTINELS
Manipur government wants the Assam Rifles replaced, but the Union home ministry is focused on upgrading infrastructure and connectivity before deciding who guards the state
