I WONDER : IS IT AT THE COST OF TRAINING ?????
Monday, October 19, 2009
Promotion : 1993 batch IPS
Ashok Tiwari is being tipped to be DIG(GP 8900) in the CBI. He is 1993 batch IPS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre.
CDA NEWS
1. Provisional adjustment of the options exercised by the officers from the date of promotion, as received in CDA(O) till date, will be done in the SoA of Nov 09.
2. Officers may submit their TA/DA/LTC requisition by FAX on 020-26401109 instead of 020-26453446
2. Officers may submit their TA/DA/LTC requisition by FAX on 020-26401109 instead of 020-26453446
change in command
Lt Gen Rameshwar Roy has taken over Command of White Knight Corps from Lt Gen RK Swamy.
ISI trying to revive Punjab terrorism, says police chief
Punjab director general of police PS Gill today accused Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of funding terrorist outfits in the region to “revive terrorism”. Addressing reporters, he said Pakistan had been stoking violence in India by aiding and abetting terrorist activities.
“Pakistani agencies have been playing a key role in reorganising terrorist groups in this country”, he said. “However, the Punjab police is fully prepared to take on terrorists and has in the recent past neutralised at least nine terrorist groups”, he added.
Gill said the police had been successful in maintaining pressure on the terror groups and “this was the reason the police had been able to eliminate some known terrorists while capturing others alive”.
He said the Punjab police would inform certain Congress party leaders in Punjab about the perceived threats. “Necessary action would be taken to ensure protection of life and property of everybody in the state”, he added.
He further said the Patiala police had launched an operation against “antisocial elements,” claiming it had busted a gang of robbers and recovered over 3 kg of gold and diamond jewellery worth about Rs 73 lakh after arresting its seven members. “The jewellery had been stolen clues in the daylight robbery at MR Jewellers in Ambala on August 24.
During sustained interrogation of the suspects the police obtained some vital clues in the case,” he added.
“We also recovered sharp-edged weapons including knives and one 315 bore pistol from the seven gang members, who were planning their next robbery”, Gill stated.
HuJI commander killed
Taking benefit of the on-going infighting between different militant outfits, security forces eliminated the most wanted “self-styled” commander of the Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami (HuJI) Mohammed Amin, alias Rahi. The slain militant was involved in more than 20 militancy incidents and had let loose a reign of terror in Chatroo tehsil of Kishtwar.
Although the police claimed to have eliminated the militant along with other security forces after getting information about his presence in Sigdhi area, sources said ultras rival militant group Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) have shared information with the police about the movement of Mohammed Amin. It was only after that information security forces launched a joint operation on Diwali night and successfully eliminated the self-styled commander.
One Chinese pistol, four Chinese grenade and other ammunitions were recovered from the possession of slain militant. Sources disclosed that differences between HM and HuJI have been cropped up after Mohammed Amin had started extortion and kidnapping in the Chatroo area. As Amin had been making huge money through extortion, HM group also wanted their share. The slain militant was involved in the incident of setting ablaze a bulldozer of a contractor and abduction of its driver Satpal on October 9 at Sigdi village in Chatroo area. The terrorist had set free the driver later, reportedly after taking some ransom.
On June 14, 2007, Mohammed Amin had snatched weapons from the PSOs of the former MLA Qazi Jallalud Din and later the same weapons were recovered from the possession of two HuJI militants who were gunned by cops in Bhatta area.
Indo-Myanmar border under mounted vigil
The porous India-Myanmar border in North East has been put under mounted vigil to check cross-border movement of militants and smuggling on arms into the insurgency-hit North East region through it.
“As a step towards fortifying the India-Myanmar border fencing is being raised along a 10-km stretch between Moreh and Tamu in Manipur by the Borer Roads Organisation (BRO) to check cross border movement of militants and illegal arms,” the GOC 3 Corps of Indian Army Lieutenant General N K Singh informed.
The 1643-km Indo-Myanmar border is characterised by rugged and thickly forested terrain and had remained hugely unmanned by security forces. Some parts of the border that touches eastern Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram are marked inaccessible thickly forested areas.
Smuggling of arms to India across the India-Myanmar border remains a concern though there has been mounted vigil. “Lots of groups based in the infamous ‘golden triangle’ are involved in the clandestine trade of weapons especially Chinese made arms to cater to the need of North East militants,” the Army commander said.
He, however claimed that smuggling in of weapons, especially small arms, to India through Myanmar border had reduced considerable of late due to mounted vigil by the Army, police and paramilitary forces that had led to recovery of average 100 weapons a year.
He said there was no report of involvement of any official agencies of China in the clandestine arms trade.
He further informed that there were camps of N-E militants in Myanmar. Some of these camps are of transitory in nature while some are bigger and permanent in nature having accommodation, habitat and training facility.
“We have taken up this issue with Myanmar authority which has been very cooperative. The issue has been discussed with Myanmar authority at various levels and a joint major operation was carried out some times back some time back and more such operations will be carried out as and when required. Some of the camps are there with local sanctions,” he informed.
These militants’ camps were close to the India-Myanmar border till six months back and now have been pulled back deeper inside Myanmar due to vigil mounted by Indian Army.
The Army commander denied reports about the commander in chief of the banned ULFA, Paresh Baruah shifting his base to Yunan province of China terming such reports as speculative in nature. He said there were agencies tracking the movement of the militant leader.
Astra air-to-air missile to make its first flight
To add punch to IAF’s fleet of Sukhoi, Mig-29, Mirage-2000, Tejas.
Veteran fighter pilots lament the end of the dogfight, the evocative name for a twisty, sky-ripping, adrenaline-packed aerial duel, in which the winner gets behind his opponent and shoots him down with a burst of cannon fire.
Today, it is less about flying skill, cold nerve and highly-responsive aircraft; the modern-day dogfighting ace is an airborne video-game expert who uses radar to detect his foe at long ranges, and launch a beyond visual range (BVR) missile even before his victim realises that the engagement has begun.
Just days from now, a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter will take off from an Indian Air Force (IAF) base, an Astra missile fitted on its wing. This will be the first-ever flight of this indigenously developed BVR missile, which the IAF hopes will add punch to its fleet of Sukhoi-30MKI, Mig-29, Mirage-2000 and Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) fighters.
The Astra, built by the Defence R&D Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, will allow IAF pilots to hit enemy aircraft up to 44 km away, at altitudes up to 20,000 metres. Improving on that will be the Astra Mk II, with a longer range of 80 km.
The Astra incorporates many cutting-edge technologies. Here is how an Astra would take on an enemy fighter: an IAF fighter’s radar picks up the target; the pilot launches an Astra missile. A high-energy propellant quickly boosts the missile to several times the speed of sound. At ranges beyond 15 km, the Astra cannot “see” its target, so the IAF fighter guides the missile, relaying the target’s continually changing position over a secure radio link. Once it is 15 km from the target, the Astra’s onboard seeker picks up the target; after that the Astra homes in on its own.
At this point, the target would start turning and diving to throw off the missile. But the Astra manoeuvres better, and moves much faster, than even the most agile fighters. A radio proximity fuse measures the distance to the target. When the target is within 5 metres, the Astra’s radio proximity fuse detonates its warhead, sending a volley of shrapnel ripping through the enemy fighter.
Most of these technologies have already been proven. The propulsion system, the data link between the aircraft and the Astra, the radio proximity fuse, the onboard computer, the inertial navigation system and other key technologies were developed at the DRDO’s missile complex in Hyderabad.
The Astra’s seeker is still imported from Russia, but the DRDO hopes to develop one.
The forthcoming test with a Sukhoi-30MKI is called a “captive flight trial”; it will evaluate whether the Astra can withstand the physical stresses of supersonic flying and high-speed manoeuvring. Early in 2010, a “captive-II flight trial” will check whether the Astra’s avionics are properly matched with those of the Sukhoi-30MKI. The fighter should receive the missile’s signals; and the Astra should receive the aircraft’s commands.
“Matching an Indian missile with a Russian fighter’s avionics has turned out to be a complex task”, explains Mukesh Chand, one of the Astra’s key developers, “But the Astra will be much better integrated with the Indian Tejas LCA.”
Only in October 2010, after all the Astra’s systems are certified airworthy, will a live Astra be fired from a fighter. But the project scientists are confident; in a September 2008 test in Balasore, Orissa, a ground-launched Astra shot down an electronic target, validating many of the most complex technologies.
A drawback in the Astra remains its high weight; even a heavy fighter like the Sukhoi-30MKI cannot carry the missile on its wingtip stations. In comparison with the Astra’s estimated 150 kg, other BVR missiles like the Israeli Derby weigh around 100 kg only.
Nevertheless, the IAF believes the Astra will usefully supplement India’s inventory of BVR missiles. The Russian R-77 Adder, which arms India’s Russian aircraft fleet, faces worrying questions about its reliability. And the R530D missile, carried by the Mirage-2000, is nearing obsolescence.
Veteran fighter pilots lament the end of the dogfight, the evocative name for a twisty, sky-ripping, adrenaline-packed aerial duel, in which the winner gets behind his opponent and shoots him down with a burst of cannon fire.
Today, it is less about flying skill, cold nerve and highly-responsive aircraft; the modern-day dogfighting ace is an airborne video-game expert who uses radar to detect his foe at long ranges, and launch a beyond visual range (BVR) missile even before his victim realises that the engagement has begun.
Just days from now, a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter will take off from an Indian Air Force (IAF) base, an Astra missile fitted on its wing. This will be the first-ever flight of this indigenously developed BVR missile, which the IAF hopes will add punch to its fleet of Sukhoi-30MKI, Mig-29, Mirage-2000 and Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) fighters.
The Astra, built by the Defence R&D Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, will allow IAF pilots to hit enemy aircraft up to 44 km away, at altitudes up to 20,000 metres. Improving on that will be the Astra Mk II, with a longer range of 80 km.
The Astra incorporates many cutting-edge technologies. Here is how an Astra would take on an enemy fighter: an IAF fighter’s radar picks up the target; the pilot launches an Astra missile. A high-energy propellant quickly boosts the missile to several times the speed of sound. At ranges beyond 15 km, the Astra cannot “see” its target, so the IAF fighter guides the missile, relaying the target’s continually changing position over a secure radio link. Once it is 15 km from the target, the Astra’s onboard seeker picks up the target; after that the Astra homes in on its own.
At this point, the target would start turning and diving to throw off the missile. But the Astra manoeuvres better, and moves much faster, than even the most agile fighters. A radio proximity fuse measures the distance to the target. When the target is within 5 metres, the Astra’s radio proximity fuse detonates its warhead, sending a volley of shrapnel ripping through the enemy fighter.
Most of these technologies have already been proven. The propulsion system, the data link between the aircraft and the Astra, the radio proximity fuse, the onboard computer, the inertial navigation system and other key technologies were developed at the DRDO’s missile complex in Hyderabad.
The Astra’s seeker is still imported from Russia, but the DRDO hopes to develop one.
The forthcoming test with a Sukhoi-30MKI is called a “captive flight trial”; it will evaluate whether the Astra can withstand the physical stresses of supersonic flying and high-speed manoeuvring. Early in 2010, a “captive-II flight trial” will check whether the Astra’s avionics are properly matched with those of the Sukhoi-30MKI. The fighter should receive the missile’s signals; and the Astra should receive the aircraft’s commands.
“Matching an Indian missile with a Russian fighter’s avionics has turned out to be a complex task”, explains Mukesh Chand, one of the Astra’s key developers, “But the Astra will be much better integrated with the Indian Tejas LCA.”
Only in October 2010, after all the Astra’s systems are certified airworthy, will a live Astra be fired from a fighter. But the project scientists are confident; in a September 2008 test in Balasore, Orissa, a ground-launched Astra shot down an electronic target, validating many of the most complex technologies.
A drawback in the Astra remains its high weight; even a heavy fighter like the Sukhoi-30MKI cannot carry the missile on its wingtip stations. In comparison with the Astra’s estimated 150 kg, other BVR missiles like the Israeli Derby weigh around 100 kg only.
Nevertheless, the IAF believes the Astra will usefully supplement India’s inventory of BVR missiles. The Russian R-77 Adder, which arms India’s Russian aircraft fleet, faces worrying questions about its reliability. And the R530D missile, carried by the Mirage-2000, is nearing obsolescence.
ISRO, IAF spar over seats on India’s maiden space odyssey
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) are at loggerheads over who will be on board the spacecraft when the country’s first manned mission into space is launched in 2015.
Traditionally, countries that have sent men into space have chosen Air Force pilots as astronauts. Rakesh Sharma, the only Indian to have travelled to space so far, was also from the Air Force. He was a Squadron Leader—who retired as Wing Commander—when he went into space in 1984 aboard Soyuz T-11, the spacecraft of the then Soviet Union. So was his back up, Ravish Malhotra, who retired as Air Commodore.
But ISRO, which will plan and execute the mission, is challenging the conventional wisdom. It wants its own scientists on board the spacecraft. “It is not necessary that only men from the Services can be selected to become astronauts. Scientists from within ISRO can also be sent on the spacecraft,” says S. Satish, director of public relations at ISRO.
10 ships scan Gujarat coast for terrorists
AHMEDABAD: Indian Navy and Coast Guard are scanning the deep seas along the Gujarat coast for militants as part of ‘Operation Raksha’ launched on
Dussehra in the wake of warning by intelligence agencies of another 26/11-type attack.
Navy and Coast Guard have deployed more than 10 ships for the operation in Arabian Sea off Gujarat coast. Coast Guards surveillance aircraft have also been pressed into service, official sources said.
Though so far no suspicious ship or militants have been detained, the operation has led to seizure of a couple of boats that had set sail from Pakistani ports and were carrying Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals in the past fortnight, sources said.
The operation was launched after alerts from some countries and warning by India’s intelligence agencies that there was possibility of another 26/11-type attack.
Navy and Coast Guard have deployed more than 10 ships for the operation in Arabian Sea off Gujarat coast. Coast Guards surveillance aircraft have also been pressed into service, official sources said.
Though so far no suspicious ship or militants have been detained, the operation has led to seizure of a couple of boats that had set sail from Pakistani ports and were carrying Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals in the past fortnight, sources said.
The operation was launched after alerts from some countries and warning by India’s intelligence agencies that there was possibility of another 26/11-type attack.
Austerity battle reaches war games
New Delhi, Oct. 17: The Centre has asked the armed forces to slash foreign travel and limit visits overseas for war games to just one in a year, a senior officer has said.
But eager to continue with their international exchanges, the armed forces — particularly the air force — are tapping other avenues to subsidise costs.
Air Marshal P.K. Barbora, the vice-chief of air staff, said the Indian Air Force (IAF) was trying to work out arrangements with the armed services of friendly countries to reduce the costs of international exchanges.
“There is a general directive that we should not have more than one overseas exercise,” said Barbora, who was announcing the contingent that the IAF was sending for this year to Oman for the first time.
In September, when a general directive was issued by the government to its ministers and officials to cut unnecessary expenses, the armed forces were left out of the purview of the order. But the costs of international drills — which have mounted especially since Indo-US military-to-military relations began intensifying since 2002 — are now biting.
Last year, the Indian Air force sent a contingent of aircrew with fighter aircraft to the Red Flag exercises in the US — a first for the IAF — costing the government about Rs 100 crore. US officials pointed out that India might not have had to fork out the cash if a Logistics Support Agreement (LSA), which the Pentagon proposed some four years ago, were signed.
But political sensitivities in India have seen the proposal stuck in the works for years now despite the vetting of it by the armed forces.
Indian and US military officials insist that the LSA would allow each side to host the other on a reciprocal basis and through barter. There is more hope now on the signing of the LSA after the conclusion of an End User Monitoring Arrangement.
This year the navy deployed its western fleet to the Mediterranean and up to the Baltic and its eastern fleet up to Japan for multilateral exercises.
Like the army and the air force, the navy, too, has institutionalised international war games — such as the Konkan series with the UK, the Varuna series with France and the Malabar series with the US — that gobble up its operational funds.
The IAF has now taken a leaf out of its experience with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) to subsidise its international training costs. Singapore, a city state, does not have enough land and airspace to train its military. In 2005, India and Singapore began holding the Sindex series of exercises, and Singapore has offered to pay for the use of the Kalaikunda airbase in Bengal.
Air Marshal Barbora said a comparable arrangement may be worked out with Malaysia and Russia. Singapore has also signed an agreement to pay for the use of the Indian Army’s armoured corps and artillery ranges in Babina and Deolali. Singapore is also allowed to station a detachment from its military in these places for training its soldiers for eight weeks twice a year.
The Malaysian air force last year worked out that IAF instructors would train pilots, weapons systems operators and ground crew of its Sukhoi 30MKM fighter aircraft. The IAF and the Malaysian air force operate the Sukhoi 30. The two air forces have now initiated talks to not only train but also service the Malaysian Sukhoi 30s in India — a cheaper option than having them flown to Russia.
India is trying to sell the idea as a win-win situation for all three countries — including Russia and Malaysia. Russia has a transfer-of-technology arrangement backing up the sale of the Sukhoi 30 MKI aircraft to India. Air Marshal Barbora said the talks had been initiated but it could be some months before the arrangement was structured.
Silence is Golden: Has India’s silence finally paid-off?
New Delhi (Mizzima) - As the saying goes “Silence is Golden”. India’s policy of maintaining her silence over events unfolding in its eastern neighbouring country seems to have finally paid off as the Burmese military generals rolled out the red carpet for the visiting Indian Army Chief.
India’s Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor on Thursday concluded a four-day visit to the military-ruled Southeast Asian nation. He had the rare opportunity of meeting the junta’s number one military leader Snr Gen Than Shwe and second strongman Vice-Snr Gen Maung Aye.
While the Indian Army’s Public Relations Department in New Delhi, refused to divulge details of the visit saying, “it will be uploaded on the ministry’s website in a day or two,” sources said the visit, except for Kapoor’s meeting with the junta’s top leaders, is not so significant.
According to Dr. Tint Swe, a New Delhi-based minister for the exiled-Burmese Government, the visit is part of the ongoing bilateral relations between India and Burma.
“But his meeting with Than Shwe and Maung Aye is a significant sign for India,” Dr. Tint Swe, who has long been a critic of India’s policy towards Burma, said.
In recent months, several events have unfolded in Burma including the charge, trial and sentence of Aung San Suu Kyi over an unwelcome visit by an American, the latest news of US’s Burma policy announcement and meetings between the Nobel Peace Laureate and western diplomats.
Despite the international outcry over the sentencing of the 1993 Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding recipient in August, India kept silent, except for a few media reports, citing anonymous sources in the Indian Government, saying India is quietly urging Burma to make its political process broad based.
Noticeably, since September-October 2007, when the Burmese generals brutally cracked down on protesting monks and civilians, India has made no critical comments against the Burmese junta, which seems to have impressed the regime.
But the most awarding non-action of India for the generals in Naypyitaw, is its silence over the international outcry against the sentencing of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and its election plans in 2010.
Kapoor, who is visiting Burma at the invitation of his counterpart Vice-Snr General Maung Aye, is not a key figure in stamping any substantial deals between the two countries but his reception surpasses some of the United Nations special envoys, whose visits are aimed at facilitating political dialogue.
But this reception does not come free. India, since it took a ‘U’ turn in its policy towards Burma in the early 1990s, has largely invested in its resource-rich Southeast Asian neighbour with little expectation of reciprocation from the ruling regime.
The most significant achievements of India’s appeasement so far is in obtaining the shares of gas exploration in the A1 and A3 blocks of the offshore oil fields in the western coast of Arakan state.
However, the combined Oil and Natural Gas Cooperation (ONGC) and Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) share of 30 per cent - 20 and 10 per cents respectively – has not been able to help India in gaining the rights to purchase the oil that will be produced.
Similarly, in another joint venture, India is all set to invest a US$ 100 million, which is known as the Kaladan Multi-Model in western Burma. The project, once completed, will connect India’s northeastern state with Burma’s seaport in Arakan state and allow roadway access into the country.
However, while India will invest the lion’s share of US$ 90 million, it will also provide Burma a loan of US$ 10 million, the investment share of the Burmese government to the project, at a minimum rate of interest.
Statistics of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs shows that of the total volume of US $ 901.3 million bilateral trade for 2007-08 fiscal year, Burma’s export constitutes US$ 727.85 million while India’s export stands at US$ 173.46 million, leaving a large imbalance of trade between the two countries.
Dr. Tint Swe said “It’s been over a decade now since India chose to engage the Burmese military junta. India should realize that it has not achieved any of its objectives related to national interest.”
India said, engaging the Burmese junta was part of its ‘Look East’ policy and serves its national interest of countering increasing Chinese influence, flushing out Northeastern insurgents reported to be using Burmese soil as bases, and strengthening trade and commerce with Southeast Asia.
But critics said, throughout the course of engagement with Burma, India has not been able to counter Chinese influence, and lost out in the race for purchasing gas from the field where Indian companies are holding stakes. None of the insurgent groups in Northeast India have been flushed out of Burmese soil and trade imbalance remains.
But it does pay to engage the junta and to remain silent over the political turmoil in Burma, as the Indian Army Chief and other officials visiting the Buddhist majority country are given warm receptions.
But was the reception given to Kapoor this week, an indication that the Burmese regime is ready to be more favourable and allow a certain degree of Indian influence?
Kapoor’s visit came at a time when Burma is in the international media spot light over a number of issues. It is a time when the regime is lobbying the United States to re-engage it as a part of its game plan to win international support for the fifth step of its roadmap - elections in 2010.
Gaining Indian support would definitely mean a great favour for the Burmese junta.
Secondly, the regime is in a tight corner in dealing with domestic armed groups, some of whom are backed by China as a strategy of maintaining a buffer-zone with Burma. The regime, as part of its roadmap, wants to disarm these groups with or without using force.
Despite their attacks on the Kokang ethnic rebels in early August and eliminating the Peng Jiasheng-led Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), other groups, particularly the United Wa State Army (UWSA), known to be the largest rebel group, remain a stumbling block.
And the regime is definitely unhappy about China’s stand on the Wa issue and would like, if China agrees, to eliminate them.
Kapoor’s visit could not have been at a better time than this, when the Burmese generals for the first time in history publicly displayed their dissatisfaction towards China by publishing a news item in its mouthpiece newspaper about the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama visiting Taiwan.
“I think it would be too early to interpret Kapoor’s visit and his meeting with Than Shwe as an indication that Burma is beginning to reciprocate,” Dr. Tint Swe says.
He said, over a decade of cozy relationship has not proved favourable for India, and it is high time that India re-assess its policy towards Burma.
India’s Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor on Thursday concluded a four-day visit to the military-ruled Southeast Asian nation. He had the rare opportunity of meeting the junta’s number one military leader Snr Gen Than Shwe and second strongman Vice-Snr Gen Maung Aye.
While the Indian Army’s Public Relations Department in New Delhi, refused to divulge details of the visit saying, “it will be uploaded on the ministry’s website in a day or two,” sources said the visit, except for Kapoor’s meeting with the junta’s top leaders, is not so significant.
According to Dr. Tint Swe, a New Delhi-based minister for the exiled-Burmese Government, the visit is part of the ongoing bilateral relations between India and Burma.
“But his meeting with Than Shwe and Maung Aye is a significant sign for India,” Dr. Tint Swe, who has long been a critic of India’s policy towards Burma, said.
In recent months, several events have unfolded in Burma including the charge, trial and sentence of Aung San Suu Kyi over an unwelcome visit by an American, the latest news of US’s Burma policy announcement and meetings between the Nobel Peace Laureate and western diplomats.
Despite the international outcry over the sentencing of the 1993 Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding recipient in August, India kept silent, except for a few media reports, citing anonymous sources in the Indian Government, saying India is quietly urging Burma to make its political process broad based.
Noticeably, since September-October 2007, when the Burmese generals brutally cracked down on protesting monks and civilians, India has made no critical comments against the Burmese junta, which seems to have impressed the regime.
But the most awarding non-action of India for the generals in Naypyitaw, is its silence over the international outcry against the sentencing of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and its election plans in 2010.
Kapoor, who is visiting Burma at the invitation of his counterpart Vice-Snr General Maung Aye, is not a key figure in stamping any substantial deals between the two countries but his reception surpasses some of the United Nations special envoys, whose visits are aimed at facilitating political dialogue.
But this reception does not come free. India, since it took a ‘U’ turn in its policy towards Burma in the early 1990s, has largely invested in its resource-rich Southeast Asian neighbour with little expectation of reciprocation from the ruling regime.
The most significant achievements of India’s appeasement so far is in obtaining the shares of gas exploration in the A1 and A3 blocks of the offshore oil fields in the western coast of Arakan state.
However, the combined Oil and Natural Gas Cooperation (ONGC) and Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) share of 30 per cent - 20 and 10 per cents respectively – has not been able to help India in gaining the rights to purchase the oil that will be produced.
Similarly, in another joint venture, India is all set to invest a US$ 100 million, which is known as the Kaladan Multi-Model in western Burma. The project, once completed, will connect India’s northeastern state with Burma’s seaport in Arakan state and allow roadway access into the country.
However, while India will invest the lion’s share of US$ 90 million, it will also provide Burma a loan of US$ 10 million, the investment share of the Burmese government to the project, at a minimum rate of interest.
Statistics of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs shows that of the total volume of US $ 901.3 million bilateral trade for 2007-08 fiscal year, Burma’s export constitutes US$ 727.85 million while India’s export stands at US$ 173.46 million, leaving a large imbalance of trade between the two countries.
Dr. Tint Swe said “It’s been over a decade now since India chose to engage the Burmese military junta. India should realize that it has not achieved any of its objectives related to national interest.”
India said, engaging the Burmese junta was part of its ‘Look East’ policy and serves its national interest of countering increasing Chinese influence, flushing out Northeastern insurgents reported to be using Burmese soil as bases, and strengthening trade and commerce with Southeast Asia.
But critics said, throughout the course of engagement with Burma, India has not been able to counter Chinese influence, and lost out in the race for purchasing gas from the field where Indian companies are holding stakes. None of the insurgent groups in Northeast India have been flushed out of Burmese soil and trade imbalance remains.
But it does pay to engage the junta and to remain silent over the political turmoil in Burma, as the Indian Army Chief and other officials visiting the Buddhist majority country are given warm receptions.
But was the reception given to Kapoor this week, an indication that the Burmese regime is ready to be more favourable and allow a certain degree of Indian influence?
Kapoor’s visit came at a time when Burma is in the international media spot light over a number of issues. It is a time when the regime is lobbying the United States to re-engage it as a part of its game plan to win international support for the fifth step of its roadmap - elections in 2010.
Gaining Indian support would definitely mean a great favour for the Burmese junta.
Secondly, the regime is in a tight corner in dealing with domestic armed groups, some of whom are backed by China as a strategy of maintaining a buffer-zone with Burma. The regime, as part of its roadmap, wants to disarm these groups with or without using force.
Despite their attacks on the Kokang ethnic rebels in early August and eliminating the Peng Jiasheng-led Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), other groups, particularly the United Wa State Army (UWSA), known to be the largest rebel group, remain a stumbling block.
And the regime is definitely unhappy about China’s stand on the Wa issue and would like, if China agrees, to eliminate them.
Kapoor’s visit could not have been at a better time than this, when the Burmese generals for the first time in history publicly displayed their dissatisfaction towards China by publishing a news item in its mouthpiece newspaper about the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama visiting Taiwan.
“I think it would be too early to interpret Kapoor’s visit and his meeting with Than Shwe as an indication that Burma is beginning to reciprocate,” Dr. Tint Swe says.
He said, over a decade of cozy relationship has not proved favourable for India, and it is high time that India re-assess its policy towards Burma.
Modern weaponry supplied to armed forces
Srinagar, Oct 18: As India faces heightened tension on its Western and Eastern frontiers with Pakistan and China respectively, Army has started to provide latest equipments and hi-tech warfare training to its men deployed in Jammu and Kashmir.
A senior army official said army has started to induct modern weapons and provide hi-tech warfare training to one of its para-commandoes battalion stationed in the State.
“India has got six battalions of Special Forces and one of the battalion is stationed in Jammu and Kashmir. All the battalions are being modernised,” he said.
A senior army official said army has started to induct modern weapons and provide hi-tech warfare training to one of its para-commandoes battalion stationed in the State.
“India has got six battalions of Special Forces and one of the battalion is stationed in Jammu and Kashmir. All the battalions are being modernised,” he said.
Besides hi-tech warfare training, he said, the troopers are being equipped with light weight weaponry to enable them to take swift action during combat operations. “We have already distributed Israeli made Insas and Travor rifles among the troopers. The rifles include LMG and normal light weight rifles and Israeli carbines,” he said.
The official said the weapons can prove beneficial to the troops deployed along the frontiers to prevent infiltration of militants into the State.
Another senior army official said there has been a proposal to update the troops on the lines of American soldiers. “We have followed the proper system to lace our men for 21st century warfare. It comprises four components,” he said.
The official said the first component includes head gear assembly. “This would include helmet fixed with vision binoculars and ear piece for communication purposes”.
He said another component would be “Body Assembly” comprising light weight bullet proof vests and shoes. “Weapon Assembly also includes light weight and modern weapons and communication systems like GPS and radios sets”.
The official said the modernisation of army has already been set in motion in Jammu and Kashmir. “We have distributed latest equipments to the Special Forces men deployed across the State. Besides, they have been given warfare training to be ready for carrying out any combative mission,” he said.
As part of its modernization programme, Indian army has started major revamp of air fields particularly in Ladakh region besides constructing roads on eastern and western borders of the State for the easy access of troops.
“We have to modernize army as our neighbours - China and Pakistan - are spending billions of dollars on to enhance their military capability,” the army officials said.
BGS Information Northern Command Brigadier Murli said modernisation of troops is an ongoing process. “We are inducting new light weight and automatic weapons to enable our men and officials to fight effectively during advance combat operations,” he added.
The official said the weapons can prove beneficial to the troops deployed along the frontiers to prevent infiltration of militants into the State.
Another senior army official said there has been a proposal to update the troops on the lines of American soldiers. “We have followed the proper system to lace our men for 21st century warfare. It comprises four components,” he said.
The official said the first component includes head gear assembly. “This would include helmet fixed with vision binoculars and ear piece for communication purposes”.
He said another component would be “Body Assembly” comprising light weight bullet proof vests and shoes. “Weapon Assembly also includes light weight and modern weapons and communication systems like GPS and radios sets”.
The official said the modernisation of army has already been set in motion in Jammu and Kashmir. “We have distributed latest equipments to the Special Forces men deployed across the State. Besides, they have been given warfare training to be ready for carrying out any combative mission,” he said.
As part of its modernization programme, Indian army has started major revamp of air fields particularly in Ladakh region besides constructing roads on eastern and western borders of the State for the easy access of troops.
“We have to modernize army as our neighbours - China and Pakistan - are spending billions of dollars on to enhance their military capability,” the army officials said.
BGS Information Northern Command Brigadier Murli said modernisation of troops is an ongoing process. “We are inducting new light weight and automatic weapons to enable our men and officials to fight effectively during advance combat operations,” he added.
us-aircraft-forced-to-land-at-mumbai-airport
For the second time this year, a US military chartered aircraft was forced to land at the Mumbai airport after it was found that it did not have the required permission to fly over the country.
The chartered Boeing 767, which was carrying 205 US marines from Fujairah in UAE to Bangkok, was asked to land at Mumbai after it was found that it did not have clearances from the IAF and External Affairs Ministry to fly over the country.
While the situation was resolved after proper clearances were granted to the flight by the IAF and the External Affairs Ministry after a request from the US, the aircraft was not able to take off on Sunday due to technical reasons. Laws pertaining to air crew rest timings restricted the flight from leaving on Sunday and the aircraft is now expected to take off early on Monday.
The flight was asked to land in Mumbai at 7.52 am by the IAF after personnel monitoring traffic in Indian airspace noticed a discrepancy in the call sign of the aircraft. The chartered flight only had a civilian clearance, whereas it was carrying a contingent of US military personnel, for which another clearance is required. Following the discrepancy, the aircraft was asked to land in Mumbai.
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