The full text of the speech given by Robert D. Blackwill, the former Ambassador to India, Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Planning and Presidential Envoy to Iraq and current Senior Fellow at the RAND Corporation to the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) on May 5, 2009 in New Delhi.
Year: 2009
IAF rubbishes Sukhoi grounding
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“Aircraft are checked all the time. Naturally, after a crash, aircraft will undergo checks. But that does not mean the aircraft have been grounded. Our Sukhois are available to be tasked on missions as and when required. Grounding would mean the aircraft would no longer be available,” said a senior IAF officer.
Indian Army concerned about recruitment in Nepal
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Nepalese Gorkhas constitute 40 per cent of the seven Gorkha Rifle regiments of the Indian Army. There are currently estimated to be over 30,000 Nepalese Gorkhas in the Gorkha Rifles. The schedule for the ongoing recruitment has not been decided yet and is likely to be affected by the political situation in Nepal.
Nepal President nullifies dismissal, orders chief to continue
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Nepal’s Republica reported the President to have issued a letter to General Katawal on Sunday evening stating, “Since the dismissal of the Army Chief and the new appointment do not meet the constitutional criteria and due process, I hereby direct you to continue as the chief of the Nepali Army.”
Nepal Army Chief sacked
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Indian army sources indicate the possibility of a fightback by the Nepal Army, which may unite behind the General Rookmangud Katawal and seize power. According to some reports, the cabinet decision has to have the approval of the President before it can be enforced. Other reports from Nepal also indicate General Katawal to have refused to accept his dismissal letter and he is said to be conferring with his aides at Army Headquarters.
‘The Ghost of Bofors resides in South Block’
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An insider explains the legacy of the corruption scandal over the Bofors gun deal and how, while the Indian Army has always considered the weapon in question to be eminently satisfactory, the political and bureaucratic fallout continues to be such as to reduce any defense procurement to a crawl.
Arunachal MP calls for focused study of China
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“If we are such a weak country that we can only guard our country by refusing development to our border areas, only God can help us!”
Two LeT terrorists killed in Doda
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The army has reported the killing of two terrorists belonging to the Lashkar e Toiba in Bhadarwa in Doda in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sukhoi crash ‘a surprise’: Veteran IAF commander
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“These modern aircraft don’t just crash like that. Whether it is a Mirage 2000 or a MiG-29 and certainly a Sukhoi-30, they don’t have anything going wrong with them,” says Air Marshal Harish Masand.
Pakistan nightmare scenario: India without options
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The scenario envisages the eventuality of the collapse of the Pakistan state with the country being overrun by Taliban, throwing-up private armies of feudal warlords, with the possibility of some getting access to nuclear weapons. The Indian security establishment sees itself bereft of options in case of a Pakistani nightmare scenario coming to fruition.
26/11-26/04
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Five months past the attacks on Mumbai, the promise of tangible Indo-Pak cooperation has become more urgent but remains just as distant. India has been unable to persuade Pakistan on several counts. It would like its neighbor to take an unequivocal and committed stand and refrain from dragging its feet going after the perpetrators of 26/11.
Army Commanders Conference to look at force restructuring and modernization
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“This refers to forces restructuring especially in light of the security environment in the region. The commanders will be looking at increasing mobility and modernization of the forces. The restructuring would ‘naturally’ be in light of the existing army doctrine, Cold Start,” said one army officer.
IAF backtracks: Unwilling to confirm Rafale rejection
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‘All we are saying is the technical evaluation has been completed and any decision will be taken by the Ministry of Defense. People have made their own interpretations and assumptions. People have been reading too much into this.’ : IAF officer
Aid Center in LTTE-held territory [No Fire Zone, Vanni, Sri Lanka]
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Footage of an aid center in Vanni, Sri Lanka, from the rebel-controlled area of the No Fire Zone. Some viewers may find this footage disturbing. These clips were sent to StratPost by media operating in the area.
Dassault responds to Rafale rejection
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A source at Dassault told StratPost, “Other bidders might say on paper that they meet the requirements of the RfP. But if the others bidders say they meet the RfP requirements they are lying.” Dassault has warned the claims made by bidders for the MMRCA may be exagerrated and may end up scuttling the process.
