Spectre of nuclear terrorism a formidable challenge: PM

New Delhi: PM welcomed President Obama's timely initiative to hold a global Summit on Nuclear Security in 2010.

Maintaining that the spectre of nuclear terrorism is a formidable challenge, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh supported strengthening of global efforts in improving nuclear security and welcomed President Barack Obama's initiative to hold a summit on nuclear security next year.

India, he said, has an updated, effective and comprehensive export controls system and is "committed to not transferring sensitive technologies and equipment to other countries that do not possess them."

Holding that India has been sponsoring a resolution at the UN General Assembly calling for measures to address the nuclear terrorism threat, he said, "We support strengthening the international efforts in improving nuclear security and in this context, welcome President Obama's timely initiative to hold a global Summit on Nuclear Security in 2010."

Inaugurating the International Conference on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, he said, "India is proud of non- proliferation record and is committed to global efforts for preventing the proliferation of all weapons of mass destruction.

"We are committed to a voluntary, unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing. As a nuclear weapon state and a responsible member of the international community, we will participate constructively in the negotiation of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) in the Conference on Disarmament," he said.

The Prime Minister said global non-proliferation regime has not succeeded in preventing nuclear proliferation and its deficiencies have had an adverse impact on India's security.

"Global non-proliferation, to be successful, should be universal, comprehensive and non-discriminatory and linked to the global of complete nuclear disarmament," the Prime Minister said, pointing out that there was growing international acceptance for this viewpoint.

Singh said, "It is a matter of regret that the global non-proliferation regime has not succeeded in preventing nuclear proliferation. Its deficiencies, in fact, have had an adverse impact on our security."

"We are committed to a voluntary, universal, unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing," he told the top scientists from across the world attending the conference.

IAEA Director General Mohammad El Baradei, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao were among the other participants at the Conference which has been organised as part of the year-long programme to mark the birth centenary of Homi Jehangir Bhabha, founder of India's nuclear programme.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee released a commemorative coin on the occasion.

READ MORE - Spectre of nuclear terrorism a formidable challenge: PM

Forces ready to meet terror threats: PC

NEW DELHI, Sept 23 – In the backdrop of intelligence inputs of a possible terror threat during the festive season, Home Minister P Chidambaram today said security forces would give a “swift and decisive” response to such challenges, reports PTI. “We are increasing our level of preparedness to meet any terror threat or terror attack. And in case of a terror threat or terror attack our response will be swift and decisive,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a function to mark the inauguration of 22 new police stations in the capital.

Chidambaram said security and intelligence forces were capable of dealing with any threat to the nation.

“Don’t present an alarmist picture. We are fully aware of the threats from across the border. We have good intelligence. We are taking preventive steps,” he said when asked to comment on reported threat to the assembly elections in Maharashtra next month.

Israel had issued a travel warning last week for its nationals which said there was an “imminent and concrete” input of terror strike by LeT.

Victorian Premier John Brumby had cancelled his planned trip to Mumbai following a travel advisory from the Australian Government that terrorists may be planning terror attacks in the city.

Chidambaram also lauded the Delhi Police officers on the arrest of a top naxal leader Kobad Gandhi following a tipoff from Central intelligence agencies.

READ MORE - Forces ready to meet terror threats: PC

Police pound Maoist hideouts, 10 bodies recovered

RAIPUR - In one of Chhattisgarh’s biggest drives against Maoist insurgents, at least 10 guerrillas and a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer were killed as over 500 policemen pounded rebel hideouts across Bastar region Friday.

The gunfights broke out in thickly forested stretches, some 450 km south of the state capital Raipur, in Dantewada district that is described India’s worst Maoist-hit district.
“We have encircled over 100 Maoist terrorists in their stronghold at more than one location. Their landmine protected bases and arms factory were put under heavy fire. About two dozens insurgents were feared killed but we have collected 10 bodies so far,” Girdhari Nayak, additional director general of police, told IANS.
Police officials added that the casualty figure might surge as about 500 local police and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (Cobra) personnel were still engaged in battling the heavily armed Maoists.
Maoists, who claim to be fighting for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers, are expanding their influence in the rural areas of east, central and southern India.
Thousands have been killed in the Maoist insurgency that began in the late 1960s and which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has described as one of the gravest threats to India’s internal security.

READ MORE - Police pound Maoist hideouts, 10 bodies recovered

Maoists forging links with NE Ultras

NEW DELHI, Sept. 15 – Formally sounding the alarm bells for the first time ever, Union Home Minister, P Chidamdaram on Monday confirmed that CPI (Maoist) has been seeking to link up with the insurgent groups based in the North-east. Chidambaram’s revelation may prove to be yet another headache for security agencies. As reported by this newspaper, Maoists have been seeking to expand to the North-east. Existence of ULFA camps in Nepal and presence of other North-east based insurgent groups in the country indicates links between Maoists and the North Eastern rebel leaders.

Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi had also indicated possible links between ULFA and NDFB with the Maoists, while addressing a recent meeting on internal security. The security agencies also have evidences of the Maoists establishing formal links with militant outfits including PLA in Manipur.

“In a bid to expand its network and influence, the CPI (Maoist) has been seeking alliances with secessionist and terrorist elements in the country. It has been keenly seeking ideological resonance and tactical understanding with the North-east insurgents and has begun to lend support to their secessionist ideology and demands,” said Chidambaram, addressing the annual conference of DGPs and IGPs here today.

The CPI (Maoist) has also improved upon its military wares and operational tactics. Besides targeting the police, alleged police informers and so-called class enemies, it is laying greater emphasis on attacking economic and development infrastructure such as roads, bridges, railways, power and telecommunication networks.

With increasing sophistication in fabrication and deployment of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), it has inflicted more casualties on the security forces (SFs). At least 123 security personnel have lost their lives so far in 61 landmine-based Maoist actions this year. Altogether, 231 SF personnel were killed in Naxal violence in 2008 while 250 SF personnel have lost their lives this year, he said, pointing to the danger poised by the Naxals.

Referring to the region, Chidambaram again cautioned that endemic insurgencies in the North-east are yet another security challenge before the country. The trend of gradual deterioration in security situation during the last several years seems to have been checked this year, with relative decline in overall violence, he added.

“Sharp shrinkage in social resonance has rendered the ULFA a much weaker organisation,” the Home Minister said.

A significant chunk of the NDFB choosing to abjure violence and seek redressal through constitutionally available means has marginalised the anti-talks faction and has led to a perceptible reduction in violence in lower Assam, claimed Chidambaram.

“The hill districts nevertheless remain disturbed. We welcome the recent decision of the DHD (J) to surrender arms, remain in camps and talk to the Government of Assam on their demands,” said the Home Minister, whose gambit to play hardball with DHD (J) has yielded results.

During the conference of the Chief Minister on internal security Chidambaram said that some North Eastern State Governments have allowed themselves to bend before insurgent groups, making the fight against insurgency that much more difficult.

“I propose to hold discussions with the State Governments concerned and draw up State-specific strategies to deal with the insurgent groups in the three most-affected States of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur, said Chidambaram identifying the three-worst insurgency-affected States in the Region.

Today, he sang a different tune, asserting that security situation has improved perceptibly in Meghalaya and Tripura, where insurgencies have been contained successfully. Regretfully, Manipur remains resistant to counter-insurgency interventions. “It is the most insurgency-affected state in the North-East, the Home Minister again reiterated leaving out Assam and Nagaland.

Conceding the role of the neighbouring countries in fanning trouble, Chidambaram said insurgency in the North-east has been sustained to a significant extent due to an extensive international border, safe sanctuaries in the neighbouring countries and easy availability of sophisticated arms in South-East Asia.

The Union Home Minister also made a reference to leakage of development funds in the Region, which are often siphoned off by the militants. Large-scale diversion of development funds to the militants’ gives them easy access to critical resources, which helps them recruit new cadres as well as procure arms.

The Home Minister suggested that the Conference should dwell on finding workable ways and means to curb illegal diversion of funds to the militants.

“On insurgency in the North-east, we urge the insurgent groups to lay down arms and hold talks with the Governments concerned on matters relating to governance, development, cultural identity, said Chidambaram.

READ MORE - Maoists forging links with NE Ultras

War theatre emerging around India

Dina Nath Mishra

Throughout history Kandahar was India’s natural border and because of it India was safe, whether the country was strong or weak internally. But over a period of time Kandahar fell as successive invaders attacked India. Invaders like Mohd Ghori, Allauddin Khilji, Nadir Shah, Ahmad Shah Abdali plundered India. Now Kandahar belongs to the much ferocious enemy’s camp and India is weakening. It is also irrecoverable. Diplomacy can change the situation but there is not much hope in the given geo-political situation.

One does not know whether the present General Election will make a stronger or a weaker Government. Chances of emergence of a weaker Government cannot be ruled out. Whether it is an attack on Parliament, J&K or Mumbai, we have never retaliated. Rather, sympathetic signals have emanated from the Government. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on record, told that Pakistan is also a victim of terrorism. The fact remains that Pakistan is an epi-centre of terrorism.

One cannot say with certainty what role ISI is playing viz-a-viz local terrorist or the Taliban. At times it seems that Pakistan too is a victim of terrorism but the situation in Pak Military and ISI indicates that terrorist breeding centres have spread over large parts of the country. At best one can conclude that Pakistan is a chaotic State and terrorists strike there at will. It is becoming more and more ungovernable but there is no change in animosity towards India. Rather it is increasing. Fundamentalists in Military and ISI are ruling Pakistan.

The new US President Barack Obama unveiled a new comprehensive strategy to fight war against terror. It is targeting Afghanistan rather than Pakistan, the epi-centre of terrorism. Afghanistan, at best, can provide sanctuary to terrorists but Pakistan is even more ahead. It maintains a large army, sophisticated weapons, trained human resources and has clearer vision as well as diplomatic skills. Afghanistan is not at all comparable with Pakistan. America is trying to divide Taliban into extremists and moderates. This strategy is not likely to work and it would give an advantage to Pakistan. If the US wants to exit from Afghanistan, there may be better options. The Bush administration had a clear vision, though it may have been considered inhuman. It committed a blunder in attacking Iraq.

It is too early to be judgmental on President Obama’s strategy but initial symptoms are obvious. Escalation of war in Afghanistan may turn out to be far more dangerous. Maybe it is the demand of US strategic needs but the ground situation is pregnant with far more dangerous consequences. War near India is harmful to Indian peace and tranquility. The terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore is symptomatic of the gravity of the situation. The terrorist attack on the Police Training School at Manawan, Lahore which is merely 12 Kms from India’s border, is even more grave. One can imagine the dangers such terrorist activities pose on the Indian side of the border. Just last week Obama made a statement that the futures of Pakistan and Afghanistan are linked. Diplomats world over are discussing and interpreting these words.

The west side of Sindhu is the place where the historic volcano erupted and many invaders came to India via-this route. India has witnessed the devastation for about 5,000 years. Geo-politics of this area is an important factor in the long history of India. Muslim invaders also used this route and area. It seems that the US is playing with fire and to the detriment of Indian interests in this part of the globe.

Whatever the Government of Pakistan may say, the fact remains that the Jihadi cult is increasing there every day. The propagandists of Pakistan try to deny the Hate-India campaign continuously going on in Pakistan. One Indian High Commissioner who was visiting his Pakistani friend’s house met a small child who ran away uttering “Hindu dog, Hindu dog.” In yet another example, when an Indian General visited a Pakistani School, 60 per cent of the students knew about F-16 fighter aircraft bombing New Delhi. The mindset of growing children in Pakistan is full with Hate-India syndrome. So whatever may be the diplomacy and talks, Pakistan’s anti-India mindset is unlikely to change. The situation in Pakistan is so chaotic that nuclear weapons may fall in the hands of fundamentalists. Given the changing political and violent disturbed scenario it is not unthinkable. Think of the situation of nuclear weapons of Pakistan falling in the hands fundamentalists. A devastating situation may develop in SE Asia.

In a grave situation like this if the Parliamentary Election throws a fragmented and weaker Government in India, Jihadi fundamentalists-controlled nuclear weapon State of Pakistan can destroy India. The need of the hour is a strong Government in New Delhi. But as things are moving there is little chance of emergence of a strong Government. Coalition Governments are generally weak unless there is a very strong leadership.

READ MORE - War theatre emerging around India

57 Moutain Division to be replaced soon

Imphal, September 14 : A division of Army of 3 Corps is expected to be stationed at Leimakhong in Manipur to take care of the India-Myanmar and India-Bangladesh borders.

The Ministry of Defence, Government of India is learnt to have taken decision in this regard.

Reliable sources said, following this decision, the Army authorities have started taking steps to raise two more divisions under the Eastern Command, located in Kolkata.Troops of 57 Mountain Division stationed at Leimakhong are likely to be shifted to Southern Assam.

During the interchanging period of the Army troops, Assam Rifles (Central Paramilitary Force) will handle, besides guarding the Indo-Myanmar border, additional responsibility of counter insurgency operations which the Army was engaged in, the sources said.It may be noted here that sources in the Army have always maintained that the Army is taking a major role in the counter insurgency operations in Manipur, while sources in the AR have always contended that the AR are the force which are playing a significant role in countering the insurgent activities.

At the same time, two new divisions are proposed to be raised and they would be under the respective controls of the 3 Corps and 4 Corps.

One which would be stationed in Arunachal to take care of the China-India-Myanmar axis has been raised while the other which would be stationed at Leimakhong, Manipur to cover the Bangladesh-India-Myanmar axis is yet to be raised.

Although the two divisions together make up a Corps' strength, they would be separated and placed under the respective controls of the 3 Corps and 4 Corps, sources said.

The division at Leimakhong will be under the 3 Corps, based at Rangapahar near Dimapur in Nagaland.

The one in Arunachal will be under the 4 Corps, based in Upper (eastern)Assam.

Source further said that the new division at Leimakhong which would replace the existing 57 Mountain Division will be under the 3 Corps, based at Rangapahar near Dimapur in Nagaland.

The one in Arunachal will be under the 4 Corps, based in Upper (eastern) Assam.

During the process of raising of the two new division, army troops will be busy in moving in and out which would not be able to handled the counter insurgency operation which mainly handled by the army in Manipur.

Additional responsibilities will be given to the paramilitary force - Assam Rifles in Manipur, source said adding that in Manipur, counter insurgency operation has been handled mainly by the army.

A highly reliable sources here said that move of troops of 57 Mountain Division from Manipur is as part of pulling out of army units from across the country for raising two more divisions to make up make up a Corps' strength.

The necessity to strengthen the army corps in the north eastern region arises since the army sounded red alert.

The army has sounded an operational alert on the India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC) after reports of a Chinese military exercise involving 50,000 troops in Tibet, where Beijing has increased its activities.

The 57 Mountain Division headquarters are at Masimpur near Silchar.

The formation and units of 57 Mountain Division are deployed in some of the remotest corner of Manipur and Indo-Burmese border.

As of 2004, between 57 Mountain Division, Imphal Sector of Assam Rifles, and Local Commanders of CRPF & BSF, about 16,000 � 17,000 troops deployed in Manipur, of which 5,000 troops were on patrol at any point of time.

Both Army & Assam Rifles wanted clear-cut directions for an end result.

This above the 73 Mountain Brigade is deployed in Bishnupur district.

The Bishnupur Brigade under the aegis of Red Shield Division has established itself firmly in the district.

The steps of moving Army troops is amidst the process of shifting of BSF from the state for deployment in the state affected naxal violence states across the country.

Authorities so far replaced BSF posted at Wangjing and Nongpok Sekmai in Thoubal district, at Ethai, Wangoo, Moirang INA Complex and Kwakta in Bishnupur district was withdrawn and sent to the naxal hit states.

After the withdrawal of the BSF personnel, IRB replaced the Wangjing, Moirang INA Complex, Kwakta posts while CRPF replaced Ethai and Wangoo posts.

The BSF post at Nongpok Sekmai has been destroyed by insurgents before IRB take post.

READ MORE - 57 Moutain Division to be replaced soon

Pakistan reluctant to act on terror: Chidambaram tells US

WASHINGTON - India Thursday conveyed its displeasure to the US over Pakistan’s reluctance to take action against militants arrested for their role in the Mumbai terror attacks and letting their mastermind go free.



Indian Home minister P. Chidambaram, who met Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, other government officials and key lawmakers on his second day in the US capital, said he was overall “pleased with the level of interest shown by the officials and leaders of the US administration to the security issues that confront India”.

Addressing the media after the talks, Chidambaram said he had briefed US leaders on the quick progress made in the Mumbai terror trial and Pakistan’s reluctance to take action against five to six militants arrested for role in 26/11 and releasing their mastermind Hafiz Saeed.

Over 170 people, including 26 foreigners, were killed in the Nov 26-29, 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Asked whether he sought US pressure on Pakistan, he said the US administration “understands the difference between the way India approached the post 26/11 situation, and the way Pakistan has approached”.

The home minister said no fresh dossier on Pakistan’s role has been given to the Americans.
“The dossier has already been shared with many countries, including the US and the countries whose citizens have been killed in Mumbai. Even the sixth dossier has been shared with 16 countries, including the US,” he said.

Chidambaram said they also discussed the issue of money-laundering, with the US promising to support India’s membership of Paris-based Financial Anti-Terrorism Act (FATA) to combat the problem.

He said no new agreement was on his agenda as the two countries were already working through a joint working group on terrorism.

Stressing that his mission was to deepen intelligence-sharing ties, he said: “I requested them for closer cooperation in matters relating to sharing of intelligence, sharing analysis of intelligence and working together to improve skills of scientists, technicians and investigators.”

The home minister, who Wednesday met FBI bosses, lauded the role of the US agency after the Mumbai attacks.

The FBI played a vital role in analyzing DNA samples and decoding GPS instruments used by terrorists, he said.

Chidambaram said two FBI officers have deposed in the Mumbai trial and India will maintain its deep relationship with the agency.

He said he also learnt valuable security tips from the New York Police Department (NYPD) to protect India’s mega-cities against terrorist attacks.

“I was quite impressed with what they have done (after 9/11). Some of the practices can be applied to India’s mega-cities like Delhi, Mumbai, etc.”

The home minister added, “I go to India with lots of ideas, and I hope it will be possible to implement these ideas.”

One such idea, he said, was to set up a nodal counter-terrorism centre on the lines of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) in the US.

“The NCTC is an ambitious programme. We have a small operation by the name of multi-agency centre. But it is not yet as technology-driven as the NCTC. Ideally I would like to have an NCTC kind of operation which is technology driven.”

Apart from Hillary Clinton, Chidambaram also met Senate intelligence committee chairman Dianne Feinstein, Senate homeland security committee chairman Joe Lieberman and House intelligence committee chairman Sylvester Reyes during the day.

He meets Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner Friday before leaving for India.

READ MORE - Pakistan reluctant to act on terror: Chidambaram tells US

The danger of the India-China hysteria

As the government downplays the news of the Chinese incursions in Ladakh, it has caused great concern among Indian strategists. B Raman believes any confrontation as a result of this hysteria would damage the interests of both countries.

A dangerous hysteria has taken hold of India-China relations since the anti-Beijing uprising in Lhasa in March last year. This hysteria is not due to any actions or rhetoric by the two governments, which have been conducting themselves in a balanced and restrained manner.

They have been trying to preserve and expand the gains in bilateral relations since Rajiv Gandhi's [ Images ] famous visit to China in 1988. They have been sincerely trying to adhere to the bilateral agreement on maintaining peace and tranquility till a final solution is reached to the border dispute between the two countries. This hysteria has been the creation of some sections of the non-governmental strategic communities in the two countries.

There are issues on which the two governments have reasons to be concerned and unhappy with each other. India has reasons to be concerned over past Chinese contacts with the Naga and Mizo insurgents in the Northeast and with their present contacts, as suspected, with the United Liberation Front of Asom, ULFA.

Similarly, China has reasons to be concerned over the activities of the set-up of His Holiness the Dalai Lama [ Images ] and the Tibet [ Images ]an Youth Congress, TYC, from Indian territory and over the reported presence in the Indian territory of the National Endowment for Democracy, NED, of the US which they blame for part of their troubles in Xinjiang and Tibet.

The two governments have refrained from publicly articulating these concerns and have taken care to see that these concerns do not come in the way of the further development of bilateral relations.

Even in respect of the bilateral dispute over the border, one has to take note of the fact that there has been no attempt by either government to change the status quo by setting up an illegal territorial presence in any sector of the border.

In respect of the Ladakh sector, India feels that the status quo favours the Chinese because of the Chinese occupation of large parts of our territory in this sector after the People's Republic of China came into existence in 1949.

The Chinese have consolidated the status quo, which favours them, by constructing roads, setting up border posts and creating border habitations in areas which used to be unpopulated. India, while not accepting the status quo de jure, has not tried to disturb it de facto.

In the Eastern sector (Arunachal Pradesh), the status quo, which we inherited from the British, favours us. The Chinese disturbed it briefly during the Sino-Indian war of 1962 by occupying large parts of it by taking advantage of our weak military and administrative presence in that area, but they unilaterally restored the status quo by withdrawing from the area occupied by them.

If they had not withdrawn unilaterally, our army was not in a position to eject them and we would have been confronted in the Eastern sector with a situation similar to the one in the Western sector -- that is, with a new post-1949 status quo set up by the Chinese which we are not in a position to change.

The Chinese have been trying to change the status quo in the Eastern sector in their favour not through military means, but by claiming a large part of this territory and insisting on our conceding their demand over some (Tawang) if not all of this territory as part of a border settlement.

Unfortunately, we find ourselves in an unequal position with the Chinese. This is because while the Chinese have consolidated the status quo in the Western sector and made sure that India will not be able to change it militarily, we have similarly not consolidated the status quo in the Eastern sector and made sure that the Chinese will not be able to change this militarily.

Our long-neglect of the Northeast and our failure to consolidate the status quo in Arunachal Pradesh have placed China in a strategically advantageous position in the Eastern sector. Only in the last two or three years have we realised the importance of consolidating the status quo in the Eastern sector by strengthening our military and administrative presence in the area through the construction of roads and inducting fresh military units to protect this area from any adventurist Chinese action.

While the Chinese have not sought to change the status quo in the Arunachal Pradesh sector militarily, they have created for themselves a capability for doing so eventually if the border talks fail. They have done this by developing road and rail communications in Tibet and by strengthening military deployments in Tibet.

We have only recently realised the importance of giving ourselves a capability in the Arunachal Pradesh sector to thwart any Chinese attempt to change the status quo militarily if the bilateral border talks fail to break the deadlock.

The Chinese long-term strategy with regard to India has many facets. The trans-border developments are only one -- but the most important -- component of their strategy.

There are other components -- namely, strengthening their relationship with Pakistan in order to confront India with the danger of a two-front war should it try to change militarily the status quo either in respect of China or in respect of Pakistan with regard to Jammu & Kahmir; giving Pakistan a nuclear and missile capability for threatening India; weakening the Indian influence in the rest of South Asia and strengthening their presence and influence in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka [ Images ] and Nepal; creating a presence for their navy in the Indian Ocean region and opposing India's attempts to emerge as an Asian power on par with China.

Till recently, we had no well thought-out long-term strategy with regard to China --neither in the border region, nor in South Asia nor in the Indian Ocean region. Only recently the initial rudiments of such a strategy have been appearing. Our attempts to strengthen our strategic relationship with the US and Japan [ Images ] is one such building-block of this comprehensive strategy.

Our proactive Indian Ocean policy is another building block. But we find ourselves handicapped in further developing such a comprehensive strategy because we have let our influence be weakened in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

The post-March 2008 hysteria in the bilateral relations has not been the creation of the two governments. It has been the outcome of a new activism with regard to each other in the non-governmental strategic communities of the two countries.

Sections of the Indian strategic community saw in the Lhasa uprising an opportunity to change the status quo in Tibet by playing the Tibet card against China through helping the Tibetans in securing their legitimate rights from the Han Chinese.

By changing the status quo in Tibet -- not militarily which is out of question, but politically by backing the Tibetan people's efforts to change the status quo themselves -- India might be able to change the status quo in the Western sector and preserve the status quo in the Eastern sector. So these analysts believed and started advocating vigorously a policy of playing the Tibet card against China.

The activism in the Chinese non-governmental strategic community is partly the result of what they see as the Indian activism on Tibet and partly the result of the Indian activism in Arunachal Pradesh for consolidating the status quo. They want their government to be more assertive in playing the Arunachal Pradesh card and to take advantage of the difficulties faced by India in the North-East to counter any attempt by India to play the Tibet card.

This hysteria has resulted in a campaign of mutual demonisation and mutual sabre-rattling. This sabre-rattling is only at the non-governmental level. The two governments have maintained a distance from this hysteria without trying to discourage it.

The danger of such hysteria is that it could acquire an uncontrollable momentum and take the two countries towards a precipice from where they may not be able to withdraw.

Any confrontation as a result of this hysteria would damage the interests of both the countries. This hysteria has to be defused in time by the top leaderships of the two countries interacting with each other more frequently and more directly than now and taking initiatives to remove wrong perceptions about each other.

It is unwise for Indian analysts to talk of the Tibetan card. The international community has recognised Tibet as a part of China. While it will be sympathetic to any Tibetan attempts to free themselves of Chinese control, it will not support any Indian initiative or move in this regard. By frequently talking of the Tibetan card, we will only be adding to the suspicions and concerns in the Chinese mind.

It is equally unwise for Chinese analysts to talk of the Arunachal Pradesh (southern Tibet as they call it) or the Northeast card. The international community looks upon these areas as a part of India and will not support any Chinese move to change the status quo. Much of this hysteria will die down automatically if the two countries reach a border settlement.

The only border settlement, which will be equally advantageous, is for India to accord de jure recognition to the status quo in the Western sector in return for China recognising the status quo in the Eastern sector.

The present difficulties in the Eastern sector are apparently due to the fact that China wants a face-saving formula by India handing over at least Tawang to it.

India cannot do this because Tawang is a populated area. Its inhabitants are Indian citizens. No India political leader will be able to sell to the people and Parliament any concession, which would involve any population transfer.

So, what are the options? Either go on holding one meeting after another without any forward movement or think of some idea which could break the present deadlock. One idea could be to explore the possibility of a 'status quo plus' solution under which China will recognise the status quo in Arunachal Pradesh in return for India accommodating some of the Chinese interests in Tawang.

Once the border dispute is solved to our mutual satisfaction, the danger of a military confrontation between the two countries across the Himalayas will lessen considerably. But the competition between the two countries for influence in the region and outside will remain in the near and medium-term future, but this competition need not lead to a military confrontation.

READ MORE - The danger of the India-China hysteria

Govt initiates steps to strengthen BSF

R Dutta Choudhury

Guwahati, Sep 1 : With threat from the anti-India forces based in the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Pakistan growing with every passing year, the Government of India has initiated steps to strengthen the Border Security Force (BSF) to increase vigil along the international borders to prevent entry of elements of such groups from sneaking into the country. BSF sources said that as a part of the exercise to strengthen the border guarding force, new weapons are being introduced and efforts are on to introduce modern gadgets, which would act as force multipliers and result in considerable improvement of border management. Sources revealed that the 7.62 mm series of weapons are being gradually replaced with 5.56 mm series of weapons. The 5.56 mm series of weapons are easier to manoeuver and are much more accurate than the old weapons, sources revealed. Moreover, night vision devices, night goggles, boats and new vehicles are being introduced in a phased manner, which improved the performance of the force considerably.

Sources said that the strength of the border guarding force is also being increased gradually. Giving an account of the steps taken so far to increase the strength of the force, sources said that about 50 battalions of the BSF were raised between the period from 1986 to 1990 and 150 companies were raised during 2002 and 2003. The Government of India has now sanctioned raising of 29 new battalions under a five year expansion plan, which would increase vigil along the international border and the distance between the border outposts would be reduced.

Commenting on the situation in regards to guarding the international border with Bangladesh in the Assam-Meghalaya sector, sources said that the entire border is considered vulnerable. However, the unfenced border in Meghalaya and the riverine international border of more than 47 kilometres in Dhubri district of Assam are considered most vulnerable. The BSF personnel are doing their best to keep close watch on the entire border, particularly in the vulnerable areas through area domination, sources added.

Commenting on the problems faced by the BSF in the Assam-Meghalaya sector, BSF sources said that the riverine border is a cause of concern as the smugglers try to use the same frequently and the Government of Bangladesh is yet to grant permission to bring in floating Border outposts through its territory. Sources said that a number of BOPs of the BSF located in the chars along the international boundary get submerged during the rainy season, forcing the men of the force to abandon the same and set up temporary BOPs on boats. However, sources admitted that there is no solution to this problem and the men in uniform are forced to live with the problem in the interest of guarding the borders of the country.

The failure of the authorities concerned to issue identity cards to Indian citizens living near the international boundary and lack of presence of administration in the chars located along the international border are some other worries of the BSF as because of ethnic similarity of the people living on both sides of the international border, it is impossible to detect who is an Indian national and who is not once a person manages to sneak into India. It may be mentioned here that the BSF is also calling for creation of a second line of defence for proper border management.

On the problems faced by the force in Meghalaya, sources said that slow pace of fencing the international border is a major cause of concern as vast areas along the border are still open and the Government of Meghalaya is yet to grant permission to construct fencing in a stretch of more than 130 kilometres along the border. Poor infrastructure like roads leading to the border often restricts the movement of the personnel of the force, while the mountainous terrain, thick forest, attacks by elephant herds, etc, particularly in Tura sector, also added to the problems of the BSF. Frequent outbreak of malaria also takes its toll on the men of the force in Tura sector, sources added.

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