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27th September 2023 (9 Topics)

Politicising the Armed Forces has Consequences

Context:

The Anantnag incident occurred due to the Army's misconception that revoking Article 370 had resolved the Kashmir issue and underestimated Pakistan's capabilities.

Political Agenda in Military Strategy

  • Recent Propaganda: The government's manipulation and aimed to cast Pakistan as a consistent threat is a move of distracting the military and civilian population from other critical issues.
  • Vote Bank Consolidation: The success of the Army in CT ops boosted political national image, making it more receptive to political objectives.
  • Alignment with Government: Steps like praising CT ops and fortifying the Line of Control fence further aligned the military with the government's political agenda, sidelining concerns about Pakistan's cross-border terrorism.

Challenges in Deterrence and Military Mindset

  • Neglecting Deterrence: Instead of building credible deterrence against Pakistan, the Indian Army prioritized CT ops, which aligned with the government's political stance.
  • Media-Military Nexus: The government used mainstream media to promote its narrative, discouraging criticism. It portrayed Pakistan as the primary threat and, through subtle manipulation, contributed to communalization.
  • Belief in Propaganda: The Indian Army's belief in government propaganda, portraying Pakistan as a walkover and China as non-threatening, led to a disconnect from actual geopolitical realities in the region.

Impact on Geopolitical Realities

  • Geopolitical Disconnect: The military's misbelief in its own propaganda hinders its ability to understand and respond effectively to actual geopolitical threats, including those posed by Pakistan and China.
  • National Security: The emphasis on CT ops over building credible deterrence compromises India's national security by diverting focus from necessary military preparedness.
  • Communication Gap: The disconnect between the military's perception and actual geopolitical realities poses challenges in formulating an effective national security strategy.
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