The following discussion took place in mid-June, and reflects the information available at that point of time. The output of the next round of discussions will be posted sometime in the first week of July. Subscribe to receive free updates. The team settles down and faces the map of Eastern Ladakh which Major has placed on the wall. This, of course, sounds way cooler than saying that the team settled down in front of their laptops and stared at the map of Eastern Ladakh shared by Major.
On the hostages part - in some of Nitin's video, he mentioned that during Fisticuffs during stand-offs there used to be occasions when soldiers would be taken by opposite side but are later returned. This has happened from both sides in the past. Fmr Gen VK Singh also mentioned that it happens but nothing much serious an issue that it needs to go public. Now from what I feel is this journo (and later others) jumped the gun by calling it 'hostage' situation and then when they got some more clarity conveniently hid their major screw up away. This melee happened in dark night and few soldiers from either end must have ended up in captivity but got released later, end of story. It's our sensationalism hungry media and their irresponsible behaviour that needs to be called out. Major did that but the silence from other end was loud enough.
The problem with the media in these times is that there are just too many of them not counting the worst of them, the social media. They think war is a cricket match and should have live commentry and the couch experts give their valued opinion about how Sachin should have batted or Whether spin or pace attack was necessary. In defence matters of secrecy, disinformation, propoganda has crucial role. One has to trust the govt and army and reserve expert opinion toll the matter is over.
Nicely put. I don't however endorse the view that complete trust should be reposed in the govt vis a vis their dealing with these transgressions. They've been forced to sit up and take note this time around because of the sheer scale and intensity of the confrontation, not to mention the interest shown by the media and the larger public.
If it weren't for the general outcry, it's unlikely that the govt would have acted differently from how they have in the past - by downplaying incursions and repeatedly turning a blind eye. Successive governments have over a period of time realised that shamming out of the border problem is the most convenient policy - it doesn't expend political capital in earnest capability building on the LAC, while simultaneously lulling the public into believing that all is well and under control.
Even with the growing anti China sentiment in the country, Modi and his staff continue to pussyfoot around China, still hoping for some kind of deescalation and a face saver. One can only hope that something bolder and more imaginative from our side is in the offing.
Very thorough and engaging discussion.
On the hostages part - in some of Nitin's video, he mentioned that during Fisticuffs during stand-offs there used to be occasions when soldiers would be taken by opposite side but are later returned. This has happened from both sides in the past. Fmr Gen VK Singh also mentioned that it happens but nothing much serious an issue that it needs to go public. Now from what I feel is this journo (and later others) jumped the gun by calling it 'hostage' situation and then when they got some more clarity conveniently hid their major screw up away. This melee happened in dark night and few soldiers from either end must have ended up in captivity but got released later, end of story. It's our sensationalism hungry media and their irresponsible behaviour that needs to be called out. Major did that but the silence from other end was loud enough.
The problem with the media in these times is that there are just too many of them not counting the worst of them, the social media. They think war is a cricket match and should have live commentry and the couch experts give their valued opinion about how Sachin should have batted or Whether spin or pace attack was necessary. In defence matters of secrecy, disinformation, propoganda has crucial role. One has to trust the govt and army and reserve expert opinion toll the matter is over.
Nicely put. I don't however endorse the view that complete trust should be reposed in the govt vis a vis their dealing with these transgressions. They've been forced to sit up and take note this time around because of the sheer scale and intensity of the confrontation, not to mention the interest shown by the media and the larger public.
If it weren't for the general outcry, it's unlikely that the govt would have acted differently from how they have in the past - by downplaying incursions and repeatedly turning a blind eye. Successive governments have over a period of time realised that shamming out of the border problem is the most convenient policy - it doesn't expend political capital in earnest capability building on the LAC, while simultaneously lulling the public into believing that all is well and under control.
Even with the growing anti China sentiment in the country, Modi and his staff continue to pussyfoot around China, still hoping for some kind of deescalation and a face saver. One can only hope that something bolder and more imaginative from our side is in the offing.
Informative and logical
Media news is always masala.