DOKLAM FIASCO

Nathu La-Doklam road connectivity was a natural military option with China; virtually the day after PLA entered Chumbi Valley unopposed nearly three decades back. But a Pak centric nation that we are, we did not even take notice. There was no mention in the media, our pseudo intellectuals were busy talking about US presidential election of 1988.

In recent times the word ‘Nationalism’ is often quoted ad-naseum without understanding as to what Nationalism means. We must learn it from Chinese. In July, 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) based at The Hague passed a judgment against Chinese claims of few islands in South China Sea in favour of Phillipines. What the official Chinese reaction is immaterial; Chinese citizens reacted almost violently (albeit without explosives) by sending over ONE BILLION TWEETS against the decision of PCA. That is nationalism at its best. We have ‘miles’ to go before we become true nationalist.

Our Pak centricity fuelled by our pseudo military strategists and intellectuals has resulted in our total disdain towards focusing our ‘jaundiced’ vision towards west, south and north east. Loss to Pakistan in recently concluded cricket world cup garnered our attention rather than looking eastward and monitoring ChInese activity taking place less than 100 km north of Jalpaiguri and in eye ball contact of our forces posted at Nathu La. I have absolutely no doubt that this must have been communicated up-to the highest echelons. Bipin Rawat’s visit to Sikkim is a testimony of same.

Chinese have challenged us and taunted that do not repeat 1962. I do believe we must heed their advice seriously and not repeat the folly committed by Pt Nehru. Use of IAF strike elements in 1962 would have decimated PLA but the burning desire to be nominated for Nobel Peace Prize, Mr Nehru kept on reciting Bhai-Bhai slogan until we were rapped on our knuckles.

Mr Modi I hope you have no such ambitions. You have extremely well defined options available to you to call the Chinese bluff.

Firstly, please place Henderson-Brooks report dealing with 1962 fiasco in public domain. It is now 55 years since the event.

Secondly, and more importantly to tackle existing Chinese threat, decide and order offensive action by  IAF elements based in eastern airfields starting from Bagdogra, Hashimara, Tezpur, Jorhat, Gauhati, Chabua, Mohanbari etc. Mr Modi a sweep by armed fighters is an offensive action without firing a single round. There is no point in establishing and creating offensive capability if we would find that our “INTENT” and “RESOLVE” is found wanting always and everytime. No wonder then that our adversaries take us for granted and keep needling us from time to time. I am not aware what MEA briefs you about our knee jerk reactions from time to time but let me tell you that most foreigners laugh at us for being secretive with our own people on matters of national security, specifically in the context of placing in public domain the 1962 debacle report AS WELL AS INITIATING OFFENSIVE ACTION IN SPITE OF REPEATED HOSTILE ACTIONS AT REGULAR INTERVALS. Stopping Kailash-Mansarovar yatra is not merely preventing few hundred devotees from visiting the holy place; it must be viewed as direct insult to our nation.

Being familiar with the area having flown extensively let me share facts:-

• We have 11 operational airfields in east at or around sea level. Five of these are fit for fighter operations.
• Chinese Air Force (PLAAF) AIRFIELDS in Tibet region are located at altitude in excess of 10,000 feet except one at 5,500 feet. Sustained fighter ops from TAR by PLAAF are difficult, if not impossible.
• PLAAF can neither provide protection to PLA elements in Chumbi valley nor can they threaten our strike element. Ground based SAMs will be the only threat and can be handled easily.

Taking shelter behind diplomatic solution and oft quoted ‘likely escalation of hostilities’ if offensive air power was used, propogated by many intellectuals including Pak centric think tanks is nothing short of cowardice.  “When deterrent fails it must be allowed to unleash its power” Chanakya’s philosphy.

I have not kept a record, but my guess is that in past 36 months, you must have visited at least 54 countries i.e. three countries every two months. Surely Chinese tantrums must be a topic of discussion. Be it related to South China Sea islands or in our neighbourhood. Currently China is facing an uprising in Hong Kong. Sooner than later this issue will become Chinese nemesis.

Let me remind you of a disgraceful conduct of our parliamentarians wrt Chinese. If my memory serves me right General SF Rodriguez was the CoAS. During a chat/talk he (most appropriately) called the Chinese as “BANDICOOTS”. Our ignorant parliamentarians’ made him render an apology. Event was transmitted worldwide. The Defence Attachés from other nations laughed at us. Chinese, indeed, are ‘BANDICOOTS’. They dig in silence out of one’s sight and surface at place and time of their choosing. That is their operational philosophy. Allow the military to do what it is meant for. Bandicoots understand military options better.

Gp Capt TP Srivastava