The link to the govt order is here :
https://www.cdaopune.org/expmgt.pdf
Saturday, September 12, 2009
India protests Pak-China hydel project in PoK
New Delhi: India called in Pakistan's deputy high commissioner Rifet Masood on Monday and submitted a note-verbal, protesting against the proposal to build a China-funded massive 7000-mw hydro electric project in the northern areas, which India claims was illegally occupied by Pakistan.
This is not the first time India has protested over projects in PoK. Similar protests were lodged about the Nelum-Jhelum hydel station and the Bhasha dam in the area of Kashmir India calls its own. The difference here is that China is involved.
It is well known that Chinese firms move in fast when they are given a contract and start work immediately. This is why New Delhi has decided to protest before China begins work on the hydel station. Protests notwithstanding, the China-backed project is likely to take off as scheduled.Pakistan has protested several times over India's Baglihar dam in Jammu and Kashmir, saying it will stop the flow of water to Pakistan. Asked whether India has also protested before Beijing, foreign office spokesman Vishnu Prakash said the project was in PoK and so the protest note was delivered to Islamabad. India's high commission in Pakistan has given a similar note to the foreign ministry there.
This is not the first time India has protested over projects in PoK. Similar protests were lodged about the Nelum-Jhelum hydel station and the Bhasha dam in the area of Kashmir India calls its own. The difference here is that China is involved.
It is well known that Chinese firms move in fast when they are given a contract and start work immediately. This is why New Delhi has decided to protest before China begins work on the hydel station. Protests notwithstanding, the China-backed project is likely to take off as scheduled.Pakistan has protested several times over India's Baglihar dam in Jammu and Kashmir, saying it will stop the flow of water to Pakistan. Asked whether India has also protested before Beijing, foreign office spokesman Vishnu Prakash said the project was in PoK and so the protest note was delivered to Islamabad. India's high commission in Pakistan has given a similar note to the foreign ministry there.
CAREER ROSPECTS AS OFFICERS
I WONDER : PLEASE READ THE POST BELOW THIS POST ALSO...... REST I LEAVE TO UR WISDOM....
CAREER ROSPECTS AS OFFICERS
http://www.armedforcesacademy.org/careerprospects%20.htm
Career in the Armed Forces has steadily become more and more attractive to the youth of the country due to the following reasons:-
1. Salary scales have improved considerably and are currently comparable to any of the public /private sector undertaking. With a starting salary of Rs 5600 to Rs 63000 plus other perks like DA, Free Messing etc the compensation is second to none.
2. Increased promotion prospects, i.e. an assured career level rise to the rank of Colonel/Equivalent.
3.Free accommodation, food and world class training up to graduate level at the NDA & Naval Academy, B .Tech level in the Defence Engineering colleges and Medical education in the AFMC. Candidates are assured of a placement on successful completion of the training. Deserving candidates are sent for PG/ Advanced Specialization courses.
4. Free medical care for self and dependents even after retirement through Ex-servicemen Contributing Health Scheme (ECHS). Major Hospitals in the country are on the panel of ECHS.
5. Extensive Group Insurance coverage.
6. 60 days Annual leave, in addition to Casual leave, Sick Leave etc along with liberal Travel concessions.
7. Excellent recreational facilities. Opportunity for pursuing various Games and Sports including Golf and Riding.
8. Opportunity to serve in any part of the country and world.
9.Above all the pride one feels in wearing the Armed Forces Uniform and the camaraderie one experiences while in Service and even after retirement.
The above factors have resulted in a large increase in the number of youth seeking employment in our Armed forces. However due to inadequate preparation and lack of information, only a handful of them manage to qualify for the specific and rigorous testing procedures conducted in our Services Selection Boards (SSBs). The AFEA aims at bridging this gap and ensuring its candidates are fully equipped to face the requirements of the selection process.
CAREER ROSPECTS AS OFFICERS
http://www.armedforcesacademy.org/careerprospects%20.htm
Career in the Armed Forces has steadily become more and more attractive to the youth of the country due to the following reasons:- 1. Salary scales have improved considerably and are currently comparable to any of the public /private sector undertaking. With a starting salary of Rs 5600 to Rs 63000 plus other perks like DA, Free Messing etc the compensation is second to none.
2. Increased promotion prospects, i.e. an assured career level rise to the rank of Colonel/Equivalent.
3.Free accommodation, food and world class training up to graduate level at the NDA & Naval Academy, B .Tech level in the Defence Engineering colleges and Medical education in the AFMC. Candidates are assured of a placement on successful completion of the training. Deserving candidates are sent for PG/ Advanced Specialization courses.
4. Free medical care for self and dependents even after retirement through Ex-servicemen Contributing Health Scheme (ECHS). Major Hospitals in the country are on the panel of ECHS.
5. Extensive Group Insurance coverage.
6. 60 days Annual leave, in addition to Casual leave, Sick Leave etc along with liberal Travel concessions.
7. Excellent recreational facilities. Opportunity for pursuing various Games and Sports including Golf and Riding.
8. Opportunity to serve in any part of the country and world.
9.Above all the pride one feels in wearing the Armed Forces Uniform and the camaraderie one experiences while in Service and even after retirement.
The above factors have resulted in a large increase in the number of youth seeking employment in our Armed forces. However due to inadequate preparation and lack of information, only a handful of them manage to qualify for the specific and rigorous testing procedures conducted in our Services Selection Boards (SSBs). The AFEA aims at bridging this gap and ensuring its candidates are fully equipped to face the requirements of the selection process.
No takers for vacancies in Services
I WONDER : ITS A VERY GOOD EFFORT BY EX-SERVICEMEN. BUT MY REQUEST TO THEM IS TO GIVE OUT ALL THE TRUTHS ABOUT ARMED FORCES AND NO ONE SHOULD FEEL CHEATED LATER ON....
KOCHI: It’s nearly a month since we celebrated our 63rd Independence Day with proud displays of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Patriotism today is not as passionate as it was at the time of Independence. Now youth prefer other jobs or jobs abroad to the Services. The fact is that many vacancies exist in the Services with quite handsome salaries.There’s a heavy shortage of staff if statistics are any indication. Nearly 13,000 options are free and nearly 25 percent of staff will be on leave at a time, which means only 50 percent of the Forces are at their duties every day, an issue that Defence Minister A K Antony is worried about.‘Chinese Govt denies intrusion’, ‘US fears Pak could target India with arms transferred from Iraq...’ reads the news.India is facing threats from all sides. We can only hope that Pakistan’s friendliness stays and the India Chini Bhai Bhai relation holds good despite all the disputes hanging in the balance. It’s only natural for the Defence wing to strengthen itself. To create awareness on job opportunities in the most noble and honourable profession, the Armed Forces Entrance Academy in Kakkanad, one of its kind in the state, is conducting seminars in collaboration with the NCC. The first one will be held in Kollam in September-end and Mohanlal who joined the territorial army recently will be the brand ambassador. One-day seminars will also be held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode and later in Alappuzha, Kottayam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Kannur.Captain Raju and Major Ravi have consented to participate in the seminars which will be conducted by experienced Armed Service Officers.Founded in 2000, the Academy is a registered charitable trust promoted by Kerala Ex-servicemen Welfare Association and run by ex-Defence Services officers who are experienced in the officers’ selection process.“The Academy offers coaching for written tests (postal) which is conducted by UPSC exams held biannually. Engineering students and Btech students doing their last semester can appear directly for the SSB interview without giving the written test. An eight-day coaching for interview is conducted by Services Selection Board (SSB). Five-day SSB interviews are held in Bangalore, Mysore, Coimbatore, Allahabad, Varanasi, Bhopal and Dehradun. Courses are also offered in spoken English and personality development.Former SSB group testing officer, interviewing officer, technical officer and psychologist will give comprehensive guidance,” said Col (Retd) K B R Pillai, managing trustee and president of the Association.The residential courses are conducted twice a month for boys and girls. Boys aged between 16 and 19 years can join the NDA after Plus T wo. Those who score 70 percent marks or more in physics, chemistry and maths can apply for direct SSB interview for tech trade posts in Army and Navy. Men and women aged between 19 and 24 years can apply through Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Navy and Air Forces Academies.The basic salary ranges from Rs 27,000 to Rs 81,000 up to the rank of Colonel. Besides you get dearness allowance, free mess, free or concessional travel while going on leave (which is plenty) and other facilities.For further details, visit www.armedforcesacademy.org.
Is Indo-US plane deal a compromise?
In January 2009, India signed a defence deal (P-8) with the US to have an edge in surveillance along its vast coastline, but now it is emerging that the agreement could actually subvert its defence autonomy. The US could now potentially interfere with India's freedom to decide how and when to use its weapons.
Headlines Today had first reported about the US and India quietly signing their biggest defence deal worth $2.1-billion for eight Boeing P-8 maritime hunter killer aircraft.
The Indian Navy desperately needed these aeroplanes for its enormous surveillance requirements over the Indian Ocean. But the deal ran into rough weather recently over Washington's end user verification requirements but the two countries weathered the political storm.
But navy sources told Headlines Today something far more sinister that lurks within the pages of contract and which could severely subvert India's defence autonomy.
The potentially explosive clause deals with what is called malicious code, in this case defined as any extra code injected into the software that governs the electronic systems on the aircraft in question "by a person having the unlawful intent to provide a capability to themselves or others to inhibit the desired function of the equipment".
India is technologically incapable of detecting, let alone eliminating the malicious code. So India's concern is what if the US injects the malicious code? Is it a ruse to spy on India's defence habits? Is India falling into an American trap?
The deal is over and done and there is little either country can actually do to change the terms of contract. As things stand, the US can potentially interfere with India's freedom to decide how and when to use its weapons and where to deploy.
1st-ever anti-terror armoured vehicles unveiled by Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Ltd.
With the Government of India increasing its focus on modernizing the defense forces with modern technology, an armoring division of Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Ltd. (SLCL) is now making an entry into India’s growing defence market with the launch of complete 360 degree armored vehicles for Indian armed forces and police. The company has introducedan exclusive range of uniquely designed models of 360deg. protected Armored Vehicles which includes “DHRUV – ATC” (Armoured troop career), “DRONA – MPV” (Blast & Mine protection vehicle) and “VIPER” (Fast Moving Attacking vehicle). The company engaged in processing a very wide range of end-to -end textile products has diversified its portfolio by getting into specialised armoured vehicle segment.
The high-end 360 degree protected armored vehicle, which is a first- of its- kind in India with bullet, mine and blast proof capabilities will be showcased in New Delhi in October 2009.
The company has recently renamed Armet Armored Vehicles (India) Ltd. as Shri Lakshmi Defense Solution Limited, a 100% subsidiary of SLCL. It’s new unit at Rahsupur, near Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh has commenced commercial production and is in the process of delivering its first bullet proof vehicle “DHRUV” (Armor troop carrier) to Special Task Force.
The company imports chassis from reputed international firms like Ford Motor and General Motors and then fabricates indigenously at its plant. SLCL plans to make around 300-400 vehicles a year and expects a turnover of Rs 150 cr in the first year of its operation.
The company currently is in talks with Indian paramilitary forces and also some high-value customers in India, Europe and the Middle- East who want their vehicles to be armored with Level-B7 protection with bullet, mine and bomb-proof accessories. The armoring could cost anywhere between Rs 50 lakh to over Rs 1 crore, depending upon the accessories embedded in the vehicle.
Dr. M. P Agarwal, CMD, Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Limited said: “While presenting the Union Budget Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee allocated $28 billion for defense which is the highest ever allocation for the defense sector. For SLCL it is a logical move to be part of the Indian government's efforts to broad base defense procurement from the private sector. We see significant growth opportunities in the domestic as well as global defence market. Our high-end 360 degree armoured vehicle will aid security forces counter threat and enhance combat efficiency.”
“SLCL is an approved vendor with host of Indian defense establishments. The company has been already supplying safety textiles such as bio- chemical, high altitude fabric, bullet-proof jackets and bullet-proof helmets, camouflage fabrics, uniform fabric, IR fabric and carbon fabric to Indian defense establishments. The company post its exhibition in Delhi expects to fetch large orders for its 360 degree protection armored vehicle from Indian defense forces and state police forces. The order flow is expected to give significant boost to our commercial sales.” Dr Agarwal added.
Exclusive range of armored vehicles to tackle terror attacks will be showcased in New Delhi in October 2009.
DRONA (MPV),a perfect for mine protection vehicle, is based on creating the maximum distance and protection between the seat of a cabin and mine explosion. The front fenders and the hood are attached to the chassis to reduce the shock againstblast, transmitted to the cabin. The front wheel base, are located forward of the crew cabin and when selected, a 'V' shape-armoring cell protects the rear wheels, so that if a mine detonates under the wheel, the burst of explosion is diverted outwards, thus minimizing the damage to the crew cabin..
Another vehicle DHRUV,a perfect patrol vehicle for police forces to tackle in urban areas, has comfortable seating for a fully equipped response team of ten to twelve men and is based on the Ford F550 American chassis. The special air-conditioning vehicle with working space, rotating turrets and exceptionally viewing large armored glass has been developed on Indian right hand drive chassis with a protection level of B4 can be also uparmored to B7, with run flat tyres and after armoring having an excess payload of four tons with a top speed of 95 kmph.
“VIPER”, the fast moving attacking armored vehicle, has four side doors, a single rear luggage door, rotating turret & cross-country run flat tyre, a pick up van style for additional and heavy artillery payload. This vehicle carries a total crew complement of six and is armored to exceed the European B7+ armor.
The high-end armored vehicles will be supplied to Government Officials, Head of States, Army, and Prominent VIPs. The company is currently focusing on India’s growing defense market and in future plans to cater to international markets such as South East Asia, North Africa and Middle East countries, as these countries face high security related challenges.
- End -
Is India downplaying Chinese incursions?
 Is India downplaying the recent Chinese incursions in Indian administered Kashmir and violation of its air space or these are just tactics?Chinese military jets recently violated the Indian airspace in Leh, the mountainous region of Indian administered Kashmir (IaK). Besides, the Chinese troops entered 1.5 kms inside the Ladakh region of IaK and painted “CHINA” with red spray on the rocks and boulders. The Chinese troops, according to a senior government official of the region, have threatened the nomads living in the area to quit the area as it ‘belongs’ to China. There were also media reports that Chinese troops exchanged heavy gunfire with Indian soldiers in Indian state of Sikkim, which China claims is its territory. The Chinese incursions into Indian border have taken place after a recent write-up on a quasi-official Chinese website, boasted that “Indian federation” was ripe for dismemberment if Beijing makes a lit bit of effort. The Chinese think tank in the write-up posted in International Institute for Strategic Studies has detailed a roadmap for ‘breaking up’ India. “To split India, China can support military group ULFA Indian state of Assam, back aspirations of Indian nationalities like Tamils and Nagas, encourage Bangladesh to give a push to the independence of Indian state of West Bengal, support militants in Kashmir and recovering the 90,00 skm km terrirtory in Southern Tibet,” the write up reads. The recent Chinese incursions have taken place when senior Indian army officials are on a visit to the country. Strangely India has downplayed the incursions with external affairs minister, S M Krishna asserting that India-China boundary is ‘most peaceful’ while Ministry of Defence states “these incidents do take place and our side also does such things”. India is sharing large border with China and the two countries fought a deadly war in 1962 in which thousands perished. The India-China relations have always remained strained because of New Delhi’s support to Buddhist spiritual leader, Dalai Lama, whom China accuses of fomenting trouble in Tibet. The cool response to the incursions by the Indian establishment has baffled the Indian defence experts. “The situation is not good on the India-China border and New Delhi should take aggressive stance rather than being in denial mode. It should take up the issue at highest level with Chinese government and seek guarantees from them that such ‘misadventures’ won’t be repeated in future,” said a former retired Indian army officer based in IaK. A defence expert based in Indian capital told a news channel that the situation is same as it was before the 1962 war between India and China. “China used to launch incursions, violate Indian airspace and then used to deny them. They are following the same tactics this time around and this makes us apprehensive that Chinese troops may resort to ‘misadventure’ to shift the attention of its people from economic depression,” he said. Bharat Verma, editor of Indian Defence Review magazine, apprehends that China will launch an attack on India before 2012. “There are multiple reasons for a desperate Beijing to teach India the final lesson, thereby ensuring Chinese supremacy in Asia in this century. The recession had shut the Chinese exports shop, creating an unprecedented internal social unrest, which in turn, was severely threatening the grip of the Communists over the society,” he wrote in an editorial in the forthcoming issue of the defence journal. “Concerns of Chinese Communists are best addressed by waging a war against pacifist India to achieve multiple strategic objectives. The most attractive option is to attack a soft target like India and forcibly occupy its territory in the northeast,” he said. The political observers in Kashmir are also surprised at the India’s reaction on the incursions. “Instead of taking any hard posture, Indian establishment is in defensive mode. They don’t miss an opportunity to accuse Pakistan of helping militants sneak into Kashmir when an infiltration attempt of the guerillas takes place. But in Ladakh region, the Chinese troops entered 1.5 kms inside the territory and painted “CHINA” on the boulders besides threatening the nomads putting up in the area to quit the area. Despite these ‘evidences’ India is playing down such incursions,” said a political science teacher of University of Kashmir, highest seat of learning in Indian administered Kashmir. However, a senior Indian army official presently posted in Indian administered Kashmir said that India is not downplaying these incursions. “We have taken adequate measures to ensure that such incidents are not repeated. The strength of men and material along the border with China has been strengthened besides diplomatically the Chinese government has been approached to prevent such incursions, which have the potential to lead to outbreak of hostilities between the two countries,” he added. (The author is a journalist based in Indian administered Kashmir and can be reached at: fayazwani123@gmail.com) |
Army convoy stranded
Inclement weather conditions that worsened this afternoon have caused 12 vehicles of Army convoy to strand at about 2 km from the Rohtang Pass towards (Khoksar) Lahaul valley.
According to sources, out of 24 Army vehicles that had been coming from Pang to Manali and crossing 13,050-ft-high Rohtang Pass this afternoon, only 11 reached Marhi. Other vehicles had stranded near the top.
Till the filling of this report, all the vehicles had been stranded about 53-km from Manali on the Manali-Leh Highway. According to the reports, more than one feet of fresh snow had been recorded at the Rohtang Pass this afternoon. In the wake of fresh snowfall, all vehicles from Manali to Lahaul valley had been stopped at Marhi.(TRIBUNE)
Their deployment a relief for farmers’ families
The first-time deployment of women officials by the BSF on the Indo-Pak border has brought along a feeling of relief for hundreds of women-folk in villages situated along the Indo-Pak border as now they would not only be able to enter their fields on the other side of the fencing after 18-19 years, but they would also be able to contribute to their family income by helping their men-folk in farm operations.
The fencing was put in place in border areas of Amritsar in the year 1989-90. From then onwards, the farming families had never been able to send their women-folk to their fields across the fencing as the mammoth fencing gates were manned by male BSF officials who, allowed only men-folk to cross the fencing by subjecting them to exhaustive frisking. What apparently made women to be reluctant in crossing over to their fields on the other side was the fear of frisking by the male officials at gates.
Their long-pending demand of deployment of women constables and officials has been implemented with female BSF officials’ first batch taking over reigns of fencing gates at some places and exhaustive border guarding exercise. “The deployment will be helping us in more than one ways.
Emotionally, it has a lot of importance for us as we will be able to see our land holdings across the fencing for the first time after 1990. Then our families will be saving money as we will be able to contribute to farm operations and our men folk will not have to rely upon costly labour,” said Raj Kaur of Roranwali village. Joginder Singh had a different reason to smile.
Women BSF guards put on duty in border areas
I WONDER : MARKETING AT ITS BEST ( THEY R ACTUALLY REQD FOR FRISKING WOMEN BUT SEE THE NEWS REPORT)
Gates set-up on the fencing along the Indo-Pak international border in the state opened up with women guards positioned on duty today morning. It was a day of new dawn in the golden chapters of the BSF.
For the first time, in the history of the country, as many as 178 young and energetic women recruits of the BSF had taken up their assignment of guarding international borders of the country.
Out of these, 118 women personnel had been deployed along the 553-km-long fenced Indo-Pak border in Ferozepur, Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts in the state and the rest 60 on the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal and other states.
These women, aged between 18 to 22 years, had passed out from a training camp of the BSF at Kharkan, near Hoshiarpur, on July 25. However, they had to undergo a specialised training of another six weeks to get more tips on advanced combat operations before joining on border duties.
A senior official of the BSF told The Tribune that the BSF women personnel would make foolproof body frisking of the local women at border check posts whose farms were across the border fence. Almost as a daily routine, a large number of women cross the fencing through the gates to carry out farming activities. Earlier, it was difficult for BSF men to carry out frisking exercise.
The official further revealed that among the new recruits, 14 were postgraduates, 22 graduates and 128 had studied up to Class XII and include 25 sportswomen and 11 NCC volunteers.
The BSF had constructed private living quarters, independent recreational areas and even washrooms reserved for the women personnel in every unit, he added.
A majority of the women recruits were from the state, but a few of those having passed out include young women from West Bengal and Assam also.
Along with their male counterparts, they would carry out search and frisking at check posts, immigration points and trade routes along the borders in Punjab, besides, facilitating spectators in the retreat ceremonies at Hussainiwala and Attari-Wagah borders in Ferozepur and Amritsar districts, respectively.
Army to station new divisions in NE Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service
Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service
The India Army has decided to place both its two new upcoming mountain divisions in the north east. One facing China and the other facing Myanmar. Each division will have about 15, 000 men, artillery support and weaponry, among other aspects.
Well placed sources in the defence establishment confirmed that a decision has been taken to place these divisions in the north east. One will be based in Manipur and will be attached to the 3 corps based out of Dimapur in western part of Nagaland the second one will be based in Arunachal Pardesh and will be attached to the 4 crops based out Tezpur, in north-eastern Assam.
Sources also confirmed that the Army has already issued instructions to the first lot of officers and men to start moving to Manipur.
Though raising a division takes a lot of time, the Army is speeding up matters by pulling troops out of “peace postings” and putting them in Manipur. This division will be located on the strategic Bangladesh-India-Myanmar tri-axis that is not only used by insurgents to smuggle in arms, the growing influence of China in Myanmar had added to the worries.
The second division will be placed in Arunachal Pradesh and will have its three brigades located in areas where the present fortification facing China may be weak or needs augmentation.
The decision to place the additional divisions in the north-east was taken after due consultation at the top level of the Armed forces. Senior functionaries scotched reports that a corps will be raised, saying that will need fresh government approval and will add to the time over run besides adding to logistics of the Army.
No Chinese incursion in eastern India: IAF
Shillong, Sept 11 (PTI) There has been no incursion along the India-China border in the North East, a senior Indian Air Force official has said.
"There has been no incursion in the eastern sector so far. There is nothing new that creates anxiety for us," Eastern air command chief Air Marshal S K Bhan told PTI here.
Asked about the reports of 'transgression' by Chinese along the borders, Bhan said, "Such things keep happening.
Sometimes they cross over, sometimes our people cross over.
"That does not mean it is deliberate. The Indo-China border is not well defined," he said.
Asked whether the IAF was conducting surveillance in the wake of reports of fresh incursions in Jammu and Kashmir, Bhan said, "Normal surveillance is being carried out every day.
"There has been no incursion in the eastern sector so far. There is nothing new that creates anxiety for us," Eastern air command chief Air Marshal S K Bhan told PTI here.
Asked about the reports of 'transgression' by Chinese along the borders, Bhan said, "Such things keep happening.
Sometimes they cross over, sometimes our people cross over.
"That does not mean it is deliberate. The Indo-China border is not well defined," he said.
Asked whether the IAF was conducting surveillance in the wake of reports of fresh incursions in Jammu and Kashmir, Bhan said, "Normal surveillance is being carried out every day.
Indian Submarine Production Delayed ( SOURCE ETHOPIAN REVIEW)
On July 20th, Indian Minister of Defense A.K. Anthony announced before Parliament that the production and delivery of the Navy’s new Scorpene class submarines had been delayed. In an agreement signed in 2005, India acquired the rights to produce half a dozen Scorpenes, a French diesel-electric submarine, under license in India for $3.9 billion. Delivery of the first submarine is now expected to be delayed for two years, from 2012 to 2014.
The delays are crucial due to the advanced age of the existing Indian submarine fleet. The fleet currently consists of 15 diesel-electric submarines, but many of these are thoroughly obsolete. Due to planned retirements, the submarine fleet is supposed to shrink to 9 by 2012, when the first Scorpene was supposed to have been delivered. While the Indian Navy does have a parallel nuclear submarine program that is on track, they were counting heavily on the delivery of the Scorpenes to help them keep pace with the Chinese and Pakistani navies.
The delays with the Scorpene program are due to technical difficulties and sluggishness within India’s bloated (and often corrupt) defense bureaucracy. These delays are actually quite typical in India, which has had repeated problems in the past with either developing their own homegrown weapons, or building foreign, advanced weapons under license. Their Arjun tank project had to be abandoned and replaced with the Russian-designed T-90 (now produced in India under license), and their indigenous Drhuv light helicopter is plagued with difficulties, which led the Navy to reject it altogether. Furthermore, India and France have been embroiled in bribery scandals in the past in regards to defense contracting.
Indian Navy talks to Northrop Grumman on Procurement of E-2D Hawkeye
Following a request for information (RFI) last year and a recent demand to elucidate the technicalities of the E-2D Hawkeye, the U.S representatives have made a presentation to the Indian Navy. The U.S has also stressed on the “interoperability” aspect of the AEW&C. U.S representatives indicated that if India is looking to be interoperable with the U.S. Navy and NATO through data-link systems, the platform should be the E-2D Hawkeye. They added that if an airborne warning system which is unable to communicate with forces and allies around the world, the larger significance of the early warning system is lost.
India has demanded that Northrop Grumman provides a presentation of the shore-based version of the AEW&C since Indian naval aircraft would require ski-jump compatibility and not the conventional catapult-launched version. India is vouching for shore-based versions since its aircraft carrier INS Viraat will be phased out soon and the Admiral Gorshkov is plagued with constant delays.
The Indian Navy is also open to advanced designs which will be resourceful in the future. As for the carrier-based AEW&C of the US Navy, the E-2D Hawkeye has newly developed AN/APY-9 radar which can operate in accordance with surface combatants equipped with the Aegis combat system to detect, track and defeat cruise missile threats at extended range. The new radar represents a two-generational leap in radar technology since it can see smaller targets and more of them at a greater range than currently fielded radar systems.
India has been keen on augmenting its surveillance capabilities and has a requirement of six aircraft.
India has also ordered eight P8-I long-range maritime reconnaissance (LRMR) aircraft to replace its aging Tupolev Tu-142M maritime surveillance turboprops.
First joint Indo-Kazakhstan Mountaineering Expedition Team summitted Mount Marble Wall Peak in Kazakhstan
A Mountaineering Expedition Team comprising six members of the Indian Army and eight from Kazakhstan Army successfully scaled Marble Wall Peak, a technically challenging and difficult peak in Kazakhstan.
The expedition jointly led by Lt Col SS Shekhawat and Mr Ilinski. The team reached Base Camp on 23 Aug 09 at 3300 meters and established three camps on the mountain by 27 Aug. On 03 Sep , the summit team left for Camp – III, located at a height of 5200 meters, and after nearly 11 hours of grueling climb finally summitted the peak on 04 Sep . The summit was a great challenge, as continuous inclement weather during the ascent and alpine climbing used by the teams (not being practiced in India during expeditions) further increased the degree of difficulty.
There has not been any Indian expedition to Marble Wall Peak before this. The Indian Army has undertaken the first joint Indi-Kazakh Army expedition to the mountain in Kazakhstan, a Central Asian Region Country and summitted it, in consonance with its unfettered spirit of scaling at challenging peaks of the world.
The expedition jointly led by Lt Col SS Shekhawat and Mr Ilinski. The team reached Base Camp on 23 Aug 09 at 3300 meters and established three camps on the mountain by 27 Aug. On 03 Sep , the summit team left for Camp – III, located at a height of 5200 meters, and after nearly 11 hours of grueling climb finally summitted the peak on 04 Sep . The summit was a great challenge, as continuous inclement weather during the ascent and alpine climbing used by the teams (not being practiced in India during expeditions) further increased the degree of difficulty.
There has not been any Indian expedition to Marble Wall Peak before this. The Indian Army has undertaken the first joint Indi-Kazakh Army expedition to the mountain in Kazakhstan, a Central Asian Region Country and summitted it, in consonance with its unfettered spirit of scaling at challenging peaks of the world.
Army alert on China
New Delhi, Sept. 11: Delhi may play down Beijing’s posturing in Arunachal Pradesh but a concerned Indian Army is raising two more divisions, or about 30,000 men, in the Northeast.
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. Correspondingly, the Indian Army is said to be conducting an operations exercise in Arunachal.
Sources said one of the two new divisions would be stationed in Arunachal to take care of the China-India-Myanmar axis and the other at Leimakhong, 20km from Imphal, to cover the Bangladesh-India-Myanmar axis. One of the divisions is already being raised, sources said.
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.
Army chief General Deepak Kapoor today met Corps commanders and top officers of the Eastern Command in Calcutta, apparently to discuss China, which has built highways parallel to the LAC with approach roads intruding into Arunachal.
The divisions are being raised fast and army officers have been issued posting orders to various locations. Troops have been pulled out of army units from across the country. The 57 Mountain Division in Manipur is expected to move to southern Assam.
On the flip side, moving in a new division and moving out an existing one would mean additional responsibilities for the Assam Rifles in Manipur. Till now, militancy in Manipur has been handled mainly by the army but with a new division busy raising its troops, the paramilitary force will come under severe test.
Chidambaram gives list of 70 Pak terrorists to US officials : SAVE US UNCLE SAM
NEW DELHI: Home Minister P Chidambaram has given to US officials a list of 60 Pakistani terrorists killed by Indian security forces in various encounters in different parts of the country and another of 10 arrested in the last one year.
A top government official today said Chidambaram had compiled the list before leaving for the US for a four-day visit and shared it with the American officials.
"Their names and addresses in Pakistan were given in the list," the official said.
Another list of 10 Pakistani terrorists, arrested by the security forces and now languishing in jails, was given to the US officials.
Meanwhile, the government is contemplating launching a publicity blitzkrieg in Pakistani media about the activities of the terrorists belonging to that country in India. The campaign could be in the form of advertisement. PTI
A top government official today said Chidambaram had compiled the list before leaving for the US for a four-day visit and shared it with the American officials.
"Their names and addresses in Pakistan were given in the list," the official said.
Another list of 10 Pakistani terrorists, arrested by the security forces and now languishing in jails, was given to the US officials.
Meanwhile, the government is contemplating launching a publicity blitzkrieg in Pakistani media about the activities of the terrorists belonging to that country in India. The campaign could be in the form of advertisement. PTI
India objects to Pak’s dam plan in PoK
NEW DELHI: India has lodged a protest with Pakistan over the proposed construction of a dam in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, triggering off a fresh row with Pakistan and also China, which is collaborating on the hydroelectric project.
Taking note of the sudden surge of activity in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), New Delhi has also protested against Islamabad’s decision to rename and give autonomy to the northern areas, which India considers to be a part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir by “virtue of its accession in 1947”.
It is understood that Pakistan’s deputy high commissioner Riffat Masood was summoned to the external affairs ministry and handed over protest notes against the Bunji hydroelectric project, which India has pointed out is coming up in the Indian territory, and the order to rename the northern areas as Gilgit-Baltistan. A simultaneous protest was also lodged with the Pakistani foreign office.
As expected Pakistan dismissed India’s protests on both matters and denied India’s claim on PoK. This response was conveyed through diplomatic channels with the Pakistani foreign office “calling” in India’s deputy high commissioner Rahul Kulshreshth.
Even though the protest over the Bunji dam was lodged with Pakistan, the protest note is also aimed at sending a strong signal to Beijing. The irony of the situation has not been lost on New Delhi which has been reeling under Beijing’s bid to block an ADB loan for an irrigation project in Arunachal Pradesh on the grounds that it is on a disputed territory. As far as India is concerned, the Bunji project is coming up on Indian territory.
The issue is expected to add another irritant to Sino-Indian ties, even as New Delhi is set to take up the issue of recent Chinese incursions into India with Beijing at the upcoming flag meeting. Last month, Pakistan and China signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of the Bunji dam, which will have a capacity to generate 7,000 mw of electricity.
Taking note of the sudden surge of activity in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), New Delhi has also protested against Islamabad’s decision to rename and give autonomy to the northern areas, which India considers to be a part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir by “virtue of its accession in 1947”.
It is understood that Pakistan’s deputy high commissioner Riffat Masood was summoned to the external affairs ministry and handed over protest notes against the Bunji hydroelectric project, which India has pointed out is coming up in the Indian territory, and the order to rename the northern areas as Gilgit-Baltistan. A simultaneous protest was also lodged with the Pakistani foreign office.
As expected Pakistan dismissed India’s protests on both matters and denied India’s claim on PoK. This response was conveyed through diplomatic channels with the Pakistani foreign office “calling” in India’s deputy high commissioner Rahul Kulshreshth.
Even though the protest over the Bunji dam was lodged with Pakistan, the protest note is also aimed at sending a strong signal to Beijing. The irony of the situation has not been lost on New Delhi which has been reeling under Beijing’s bid to block an ADB loan for an irrigation project in Arunachal Pradesh on the grounds that it is on a disputed territory. As far as India is concerned, the Bunji project is coming up on Indian territory.
The issue is expected to add another irritant to Sino-Indian ties, even as New Delhi is set to take up the issue of recent Chinese incursions into India with Beijing at the upcoming flag meeting. Last month, Pakistan and China signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of the Bunji dam, which will have a capacity to generate 7,000 mw of electricity.
SAY NO TO AFSPA...
I WONDER :
1 THERE IS AN URGENT NEED FOR ARMED FORCES TO VE A MEDIA CELL AT AHQ.
2.AFTER WE AGREED TO ALLOW THE PMF/POLICE TO WEAR COMBATS, WE VE SUCCESSFULLY ENSURED IN THE EYES OF COMMON CITIZEN THAT EVERY VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IS BY ARMED FORCES ONLY.
3. I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER ON KARGIL DAY ONE OF THE BUDDING REPORTER OF NDTV ASKED OUR RETD GENS THAT WHY ARMY DID A FAKE ENCOUNTER IN VALLEY WHEREAS IN REALITY IT WAS AN ACT BY CRPF.( I AM NOT TRYING TO SAY THAT WE VE NEVER FAULTED, BUT ITS RARE). THIS SHOWS THAT EVEN OUR REPORTERS ARE UNABLE TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN ARMED FORCES AND POLICE NOW A DAYS. MEDIA USING POLICE PHOTOS WHILE REPORTING ON ARMY AND VICE VERSA IS VERY COMMON NOW A DAYS. SEE THIS LINK FROM TODAYS TELEGRAPH PAPER AS A PROOF. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090912/jsp/nation/story_11484886.jsp
4. IMMEDIATELY A RETD POLICE OFFICER ANSWERED EVEN BEFORE OUR GENS COULD ANSWER IT THAT ITS A PLOT AGAINST CRPF.
5. NOW IN NORTH EAST ALSO ACTS OF CRPF AND POLICE ARE LEADING TO PROTEST AGAINST ARMY AND AFSPA.
6. THE WORST IS PMF ARE DOING EVERYTHING TO MIMIC ARMED FORCES LIKE UNIFORM,PAINTING THEIR VEHICLES, NAMING THEIR BRANCHS/DEPARTMENTS, INTRODUCING THEMSELVES BY ARMY RANKS AND CLAIMING TO BE FUAJIs. THEY VE A BETTER MARKETING IN THIS MARKET DRIVEN COUNTRY UNLIKE US.
7. WE NEED TO ACT, AT LEAST OBJECT ON FALSE REPORTING IF NOTHING ELSE. HERE WORTH MENTIONING IS THE PREVIOUS NAVAL CHIEF WHO DIDN'T ALLOW THE MEDIA TO GET AWAY BY REPORTING ANYTHING JUST LIKE THAT. ITS TIME FOR US TO ACT OR THE DAYS ARE NOT FAR WHEN WE WILL ACTUALLY BE LIKE ANY OTHER POLICE ORGANIZATION OF INDIA. THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO VE A LAW WHERE IN EVERY ARMY OFFICIALS FROM HAV ONWARDS SHOULD VE THE POWERS TO ARREST. SEIZE ANY PERSON/EQUIPMENT IF ITS SIMILAR TO ARMY. JUST RAISING THESE ISSUES IN CIVIL-MILITARY CONF WONT WORK.
THESE ARE MY PERSONAL VIEWS ONLY.
I was recently invited to a protest rally by Manipur students and activists at Jantar Mantar- the capital's dharna street- against the alleged fake killings in the troubled state. The place was interspersed with a host of protesters from across the country, demanding their right 'within the basic framework of the Constitution'.
From eco-activists lecturing on global warming to Bhopal gas pidits (sufferers) demanding their 'due' compensation, the street feigned to give a look of activity more so inactivity as what I consider dharna to be. The mode as well as the duration of some protests was bizarre.
What really impressed me was the diversity of protests. People from different regions, states, districts, talukas and villages had camped near the most boisterous House of the country - The Parliament House - to shout out their grievances. Little did they know that their voices would hardly match the high-pitch banter of their esteemed representatives inside the House.
But spirited that they were, they continued with their protest in the hope that one day, they will be heard and that lawmakers would heed to their demands.
By this time I had reached the corner where Manipur youths were camping with their placards and banners.
Some of the placards read:
- Punish the guilty
- Manipur CM Ibobi Singh father of terrorism
- No state terrorism in the Hills and the Valley in Manipur
The recent upsurge in public anger started after a national magazine exposed an alleged fake encounter by the security forces in Manipur.
A crowd of odd 100 Manipuris had gathered, they were supported by a couple of north Indian students from DU, Jamia and JNU. Slogans were being shouted with full vigour and strength.
The 'brutal' Indian state was being lambasted by the speakers. The count of human rights violations by the security forces was being made public with a mandatory chorus in the backdrop that said "Shame".
I thought to myself- don't they know that the state is not shamed so easily? I remember when a Manipuri woman named Manorama was allegedly killed by the security forces and the government chose to look the other way. And then came the shocker when a group of women protested naked. The world was awestruck by the boldness of the protest. The state, again, chose to stay silent- oblivious to the cause of the public outcry.
My chain of thought was broken by a sudden offering of water by a protestor who handed over a bottle of Bisleri to me.
I started to interact with the group of students at the dharna site, most of whom said that while they had no problem with the Indian Constitution, the Indian state had failed to protect their basic rights.
Gunnamani, an MPhil scholar at JNU, asserted that the root cause of killing of civilians by the Army is the draconian law Armed Forces Special Powers act (AFSPA).
"The latest fake encounter is not the first one, it has been happening for many many years. The root cause of the problem is the draconian AFSPA law which gives armed forces the license to kill innocent civilians under the garb of insurgents and militants," said Gunnamani.
The rally started to move toward the Parliament street. While I was talking to Manipuri students, a bus passed from behind us and along came some uninvited comments. A group of young guys stuck their necks out of the bus window and shouted, "Oye Chowmins and Momos, what are you doing here?". Even more shameful than the remark was the sight of a policeman standing at the corner of the road and smiling to himself.
Manipuri Students Association President Sandhya Rani, a student of MA history in DU felt that people from Northeast in general, and girls in particular, face discrimination here in the country's capital. She echoed the fears and grievances of Manipur students staying in the capital.
She said: "The Indian Constitution is flexible but for Manipuris there is lack of even basic rights. We demand right to life, a life with self-respect. We feel like a foreigner in our own country."
She further reminded me that Congress governments are ruling both at the Centre and the state but they have been apathetic towards the cause of the common people.
"Even the imperialist Britishers left India after Gandhiji's non-violent protests but our government does not listen to our basic demands through non-violent means. See the case of Irom Sharmila, she has been on fast for so many years but the government has hardly cared to listen to her demands," said Sandhya.
Finally we reached the Parliament street where the police had put up the necessary barricades. It was a pretty disciplined rally so people stopped at the barricade and the police kept a vigil.
Then I met Henthoyba, a Phd scholar from Manipur University who had come all the way from Manipur for the protest. First he was reluctant to talk to me, but later opened up. Interestingly, his topic of research was people's movement.
I prepared myself to ask routine questions for a story but I was genuinely interested in knowing the situation at the ground level. I fired two quick queries: What's the situation like in Manipur? Was it really bad out there?
What he said was really shocking and his eyes were brimmed with tears while he said: "If you are in Manipur, you're not sure whether you will wake the next morning and see the sun. That's the level of insecurity among the common people."
He summed up the situation. I had got my answers but hope the government also got one.
Hope the government realizes that laws like AFSPA, which leaves civilians at the mercy of security forces, should not have any place in a democratic country like ours.
SOURCE : NDTV
Govt's austerity drive mere tokenism?
I WONDER : YESTERDAY IT WAS REPORTED THAT MR ABDULLAH MP FROM J&K HAD OBJECTED TO TRAVELLING IN ECONOMY CLASS SAYING HIS LEGS CANT FIT IN ECONOMY CLASS AND OUR PM DILUTING THE STAND ON IT B SAYING THAT YOU CAN TAKE PERMISSION AND FLY. GR8 WORK. WHAT DO ALL GOVT EMPLOYEES DO WHEN THEY TRAVEL IN HIGHER CLASS? THEY PAY THE DIFFERENCE OF FARE. COUDLNT PM ORDER THIS FOR MPs TOO......!!!!!!
For the crorepati ministers fighting the government's new austerity measures, there was some relief from Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Friday who clarified the government's spend less drive.
Pranab, who had earlier asked SM Krishna and Shashi Tharoor to vacate their five-star hotel rooms, said he may have been misunderstood.
The Finance Minister said that the ministers have to avoid first and business class in domestic travel, but not for international travel; no conferences in five-stars hotels, but foreign dignitaries can be wined and dined in five-stars; the pay cuts are applicable only to the Congress party, the allies have to take their own decision; and the financial advisors of various ministries will decide on austerity measures.
But will the MPs and ministers fall in line? Well, at least publicly, the Congress is taking the lead.
"We will follow austerity rules. I have bought a economy ticket," senior Congress leader and Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said.
Most others chose not to comment on the issue, but the new policy seems to have few takers.
The Opposition being against the government's new austerity measures may have forced the Finance Minister to issue clarifications and make exceptions, but will this austerity drive be more than mere tokenism.
For the crorepati ministers fighting the government's new austerity measures, there was some relief from Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Friday who clarified the government's spend less drive.
Pranab, who had earlier asked SM Krishna and Shashi Tharoor to vacate their five-star hotel rooms, said he may have been misunderstood.
The Finance Minister said that the ministers have to avoid first and business class in domestic travel, but not for international travel; no conferences in five-stars hotels, but foreign dignitaries can be wined and dined in five-stars; the pay cuts are applicable only to the Congress party, the allies have to take their own decision; and the financial advisors of various ministries will decide on austerity measures.
But will the MPs and ministers fall in line? Well, at least publicly, the Congress is taking the lead.
"We will follow austerity rules. I have bought a economy ticket," senior Congress leader and Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said.
Most others chose not to comment on the issue, but the new policy seems to have few takers.
The Opposition being against the government's new austerity measures may have forced the Finance Minister to issue clarifications and make exceptions, but will this austerity drive be more than mere tokenism.
Pak reacts, says no need to go to US on 26/11
Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has reacted strongly to Home Minister P Chidambaram raising the issue of 26/11 during his ongoing US visit.
Pakistan has said India doesn't need to go to the US on the issue of 26/11, and should respect Pakistan's judicial system.
"India should respect Pakistan's judicial system. Pakistan is still examining the information given by India," said Malik.
Pakistan has urged India to 'come forward and be transparent'.
"Come forward and be transparent. India should share intelligence reports with Pakistan," said Pakistan's Interior Minister.
Malik has also claimed that the world appreciates Pakistan's investigations on 26/11.
Referring to allegations by India that Pakistan is not doing enough on the Mumbai attacks issue, Malik said, "I will reply to India's allegations very soon."
Pak claims LeT men's trial to end soon
PTI adds: Pakistan on Friday claimed that the trial of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operatives arrested for involvement in the Mumbai attacks would be completed within four months, even as it sought more time to examine the evidence provided by India against the terrorist group's founder Hafiz Mohammad Saeed.
Refuting the contention of Indian leaders like Home Minister P Chidambaram that there had been no progress in Pakistan in bringing to justice the perpetrators of 26/11 attacks, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said: "I challenge you and say the trial (of the suspects) has started."
"After (the festival of) Eid, day-to-day hearings will be held and proceedings will be completed within the prescribed time limit," he said, adding it will take between two-and-half months to four months for the trial to be completed.
Five LeT operatives arrested earlier had already been chargesheeted while charges against two newly-arrested suspects will be filed soon, he told reporters.
Malik said Pakistan has already acknowledged that "part of the conspiracy" behind the Mumbai attacks was hatched by "non-state actors in Pakistan."
"Don't suspect our motives," he said, adding that LeT operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, described by India as the mastermind of the attacks, had been arrested along with several aides.
Rockets fired from Pak side near Wagah border; BSF retaliates
Three rockets were fired from Pakistani side that fell on the Indian territory near Wagah Border at around 11 pm on Friday, drawing retaliation from BSF using machine guns.
There was, however, no casualty on the Indian side in the Pakistani action, Border Security Force (BSF) Inspector General Himmat Singh said.
Singh said Pakistan fired rockets which landed in an open area at villages Modhey and Dhoneya Khurd after which the BSF troops hit back by opening fire from machine guns.
He said BSF authorities got in touch with their Pakistani counterparts for a flag meeting where India would lodge a strong protest against the action.
Flag meeting between Pakistan Rangers and BSF has taken place in which officers from BSF and Pak Rangers attended.
BSF says it's not sure if these were RPGs or other explosives.
The Amritsar DIG is also on the spot and BSF sources though say it's nothing big now and the border is calm.
BSF says two months back also rocket were fired from Pakistani side, they are not sure but they believe non-state actors may have been involved to escalate tension on Indo-Pak border.
The attack happened on a day when the BSF deployed its first batch of women constables at the border to facilitate frisking of women going for work in fields.
Sixteen of a batch of 178 women constables of the force were deployed at Rorawari village near Attari border in Punjab on Friday. (With PTI inputs)
There was, however, no casualty on the Indian side in the Pakistani action, Border Security Force (BSF) Inspector General Himmat Singh said.
Singh said Pakistan fired rockets which landed in an open area at villages Modhey and Dhoneya Khurd after which the BSF troops hit back by opening fire from machine guns.
He said BSF authorities got in touch with their Pakistani counterparts for a flag meeting where India would lodge a strong protest against the action.
Flag meeting between Pakistan Rangers and BSF has taken place in which officers from BSF and Pak Rangers attended.
BSF says it's not sure if these were RPGs or other explosives.
The Amritsar DIG is also on the spot and BSF sources though say it's nothing big now and the border is calm.
BSF says two months back also rocket were fired from Pakistani side, they are not sure but they believe non-state actors may have been involved to escalate tension on Indo-Pak border.
The attack happened on a day when the BSF deployed its first batch of women constables at the border to facilitate frisking of women going for work in fields.
Sixteen of a batch of 178 women constables of the force were deployed at Rorawari village near Attari border in Punjab on Friday. (With PTI inputs)
MORE COMPLAINS TO UNCLE SAM...
Home Minister P Chidambaram is set to meet US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington on Thursday night.
On top of the agenda, for this visit to the US is to convince Washington to exert pressure on Pakistan to take action against those behind 26 /11.
A task, experts say is easier said than done as the US needs Islamabad's support to fight the Taliban in the war in Afghanistan.
"The dilemma is while you want Pakistan to move in that direction, the question is how far do you push without undermining the political clout of Zardari at home. That is the fine line the US is walking," said Professor Walter Anderson, Associate Director, South Asia program, School of Advanced International Studies.
The Home Minister is likely to remind America that both US and India have been victims of terror and both stand to lose if the terror groups that attacked India in November are not reined in.
"This is not something the US can fix with a magic wand. I think you can be quite sure that the US is pushing in the direction that India wants but at the end of the day it is a political process for the governments of both Pakistan and India," said Ambassador Teresita Schaffer, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Convincing the US to take on Pakistan for inaction against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks is not without its challenges. The Obama administration is in an awkward spot: trying to balance its professed determination to fight terrorism globally while at the same time not alienating the government in Pakistan - its ally in the war on terror.
On top of the agenda, for this visit to the US is to convince Washington to exert pressure on Pakistan to take action against those behind 26 /11.
A task, experts say is easier said than done as the US needs Islamabad's support to fight the Taliban in the war in Afghanistan.
"The dilemma is while you want Pakistan to move in that direction, the question is how far do you push without undermining the political clout of Zardari at home. That is the fine line the US is walking," said Professor Walter Anderson, Associate Director, South Asia program, School of Advanced International Studies.
The Home Minister is likely to remind America that both US and India have been victims of terror and both stand to lose if the terror groups that attacked India in November are not reined in.
"This is not something the US can fix with a magic wand. I think you can be quite sure that the US is pushing in the direction that India wants but at the end of the day it is a political process for the governments of both Pakistan and India," said Ambassador Teresita Schaffer, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Convincing the US to take on Pakistan for inaction against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks is not without its challenges. The Obama administration is in an awkward spot: trying to balance its professed determination to fight terrorism globally while at the same time not alienating the government in Pakistan - its ally in the war on terror.
INDIA TO AMERICA : UNCLE SAM MUJHE PAK NE TANG KIYA......
I WONDER : AS A CHILD I WAS TAUGHT " GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES"
Home Minister P Chidambaram's hard talk on 26/11 in Washington, especially during his meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, seems to have had some effect. Her deputy said on Saturday that the Obama Administration is hopeful of some action by Pakistan.
"We would hope that the Pakistani authorities will continue their investigation and bring the perpetrators of the attacks to justice," P J Crowley, US Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, said.
The home minister also discussed the situation post 26/11 with told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton saying that Pakistan was simply not doing enough on 26/11 - for one - Hafiz Saeed, the man behind 26/11 was roaming free despite the evidence provided by New Delhi.
While India raised its concerns about Pakistan making no progress on 26/1 with the US, Pakistan's former National Security Advisor Mahmood Ali Durrani who is in New Delhi, has told NDTV that his country is sincere towards prosecuting the perpetrators of 26/11. Durrani was sacked from his post after he acknowledged in public that Ajmal Kasab was a Pakistani national.
"We would hope that the Pakistani authorities will continue their investigation and bring the perpetrators of the attacks to justice," P J Crowley, US Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, said.
The home minister also discussed the situation post 26/11 with told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton saying that Pakistan was simply not doing enough on 26/11 - for one - Hafiz Saeed, the man behind 26/11 was roaming free despite the evidence provided by New Delhi.
While India raised its concerns about Pakistan making no progress on 26/1 with the US, Pakistan's former National Security Advisor Mahmood Ali Durrani who is in New Delhi, has told NDTV that his country is sincere towards prosecuting the perpetrators of 26/11. Durrani was sacked from his post after he acknowledged in public that Ajmal Kasab was a Pakistani national.
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