Experts Speak

December 26, 2022
China in Southern Nepal
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
China has managed to install Prachanda as the third time Prime Minister of Nepal by some deft maneuverings behind the scenes. This is bad news for India.
December 23, 2022
2022: A Tumultuous Year
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)
As 2022 draws to a close, here is a snapshot of the year gone by and the changed geopolitical world that it leaves behind
December 14, 2022
Egyptian President at Republic Day Parade 2023
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
India and Egypt share close political understanding based on long history of contacts and cooperation on bilateral, regional and global issues. Both countries were the founding members of the Non Allied Movement (NAM) and have co-operated on multilateral forums.
December 14, 2022
Tawang Clash-Prelude to Conflict?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
The clash happened during a regular border patrol when Chinese troops were intercepted by their Indian counterparts
December 14, 2022
Coming – Zorawar Tanks
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
The proposal is that 59 of the 354 light tanks will be reserved for the tanks developed by the DRDO and the remaining 295 tanks will be manufactured under the 'Make-1' category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP)
December 2, 2022
Weaponisation of Winter
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)
Russian missile and drone attacks on energy and other infrastructure means that large parts of Ukraine people are now living without light, water, or heating. This is becoming increasingly unbearable as the country begins to face temperatures below freezing.
December 1, 2022
Zero Covid and Maverick Xi Jinping
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
There has been some relaxation in the Covid restrictions but taking these as the weakness of the CCP or of Xi would be wrong
December 1, 2022
3D Printed Defence Works
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
The Indian Army is perhaps the first one to create permanent defences using 3D technology and has conducted successful trials
December 1, 2022
Turkey-Pakistan Defence Cooperation
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
Turkey-Pakistan defence cooperation is getting stronger. During the recent two-day visit of Pakistan Prime Minister to Turkey, Sharif and Erdogan jointly inaugurated a corvette warship PNS 'Khyber' built by Turkey for the Pakistan Navy under a strategic cooperation project between the two countries
December 1, 2022
TTP Sheds Gloves
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
Pakistan has been facing a serious security situation in its border provinces adjoining Afghanistan because the 'Durand Line' was never accepted by the Afghans. The situation has been aggravated because of the border fencing by Pakistan, which is not acceptable to the Afghan Taliban and the TTP.
November 18, 2022
Ukraine conflict and Paralysed Global politics
By Lt. General J.K. Sharma (Retd)
The G-20 summit offered a snapshot of a somewhat paralysed international system, ill-equipped to mobilise around solving major shared challenges
November 15, 2022
No cold war; Tensions may still flare
By Lt. General J.K. Sharma (Retd)
The meeting between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit may cool temperatures for now. But while Washington and Beijing can try to put guardrails on their relationship, sensitivities over Taiwan are high and the risk for misunderstanding acute.
November 14, 2022
Pakistan – No Postmortem
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
The attempted assassination of Imran Khan followed by nationwide protests by the PTI has thrown Pakistan into more chaos. The economic situation remains grim, to which political turmoil is now added. On top is the internal security situation because of increasing attacks by the Baloch separatists and the large number of heavily armed cadres of TTP streaming into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
November 14, 2022
Canistered Loitering Munitions for Army
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
The Canister Launched Anti-Armour Loiter Ammunition (CALM) System is known as a drone that once fired can remain airborne for a period of time and after the target is sighted it can be guided to destroy the target with an explosive payload
November 14, 2022
New Interceptor Missile for BMD
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
On November 2, 2022, India successfully tested its new interceptor missile for Phase-II of its indigenous BMD system, which is capable of intercepting incoming long-range nuclear missiles as well as slow-moving aircraft
November 14, 2022
CPEC extension into Afghanistan
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
Beijing has Pakistan in its pocket and good relations with the Afghan Taliban to whom it has promised help to rebuild Afghanistan. However, Chinese workers remain under threat in Pakistan, so what will happen in Afghanistan when the CPEC is extended to that country.
November 14, 2022
India-Armenia Defence Relations
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
Taking into account the ancient ties with Armenia and its ongoing conflict with an aggressive Azerbaijan supported by Turkey and Pakistan, India would do well to meet all defence requirements of Armenia as requested by them.
October 31, 2022
China Decries Exercise 'Yudh Abhyas'
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
China is opposing it by saying it is an interference in the bilateral boundary issue and a violation of agreements between New Delhi and Beijing that no military drill will be held near the Line of Actual Control