11-21-2006, 10:10 PM
Bodhi, Good questions.
Perhaps i can answer your questions in a different order :
Nuclear Attacks :
No easy response, but the fact remains is how determined are we to see the end of the terrorist state. It is a sad fact that in previous wars we were never able to drive home the advantage we had and its led to the killing of many innocent Indians since.
The figure of 70000 plus comes to mind who have died in kashmir alone since pakistan proxy war in kashmir has started. I can't think of how many pilgrims and innocents have died in terrorist plots and bombs ever since, even going so far as to attack our parliament and to try and kill ministers to disrupt our way of life. How much are we to accept this form of attrition for the greater majority? Is 1 million hindus and sikhs enough to satisfy the greater whole? Does 100 school kids a year or pilgrims constitute an acceptable loss?
Fact remains that we are already at war....unfortunetly its one where Indian citizens are dying on a daily basis. Heaven knows how bad it could get with bangladesh joining the fray as another proxy from china and pakistan.
For the pakistanis, their nuclear capability sounds are their panacea for all ills. Any minor adventurism on the part of India sends alarm bells ringing in Islamabad with immediate threats on the part of initiating a nuclear holocaust in the south asian region.
To a large part, the GOI has accepted the bluff, so much so that even notions of hot pursuit, or limited border incursions or even artillary barrages from our side might have to cross red lines of engagement.
These lines have been discussed thoroughly, as to what might be acceptable. Basically it looks like after various discussions, even a pink line or scenarios there in seems to freak the GOI out.
So what are our options :
a) Call their bluff. Build the military and create an awareness in the people, that the above is not acceptable to Indian citizens and some plans will have to be taken. We are in essence in a cold war scenario and our public must realise this fact without resorting to the bhai bhai effect that im seeing on the tv so often.
The military for its part has long been training in a NBC enviroment. Indeed millions are being spent on suits, mobile truck centres and decontamination units. Initiative like Cold start are being put into place to win a short but decisive engagement in approx two weeks before international pressure steps in.
If the Nuclear issue is pakistans trump card then we need to remove it :
This can be done by :
b) Creating a credible ABM defense system. Various reports on the way of India trying to create an ABM system to negate the threat of the ding dongs and no dongs from pakistan. In my view it doesn't matter if the system is 100% efficient. Just installing such a system and regular testings will instill an unnatural fear in the pakistanis, losing their only trump card.
Would they risk a 1st strike knowing that none might get through and inviting a massive response as a result? I think the threat perception would drastically decrease.
We may yet be on the way. India already has the greenpine radars which can track the missiles throught their entire trajectory. Aerostat radars are being istalled and the Phalcon jets are arriving next year, giving us a 24 hr view of whats going on, on the ground and in the air in pakistan.
Air defense right now is primary. Also reports that Akash to be inducted from next year will have a possible ABM role. Again not forgetting that a separate ABM system is already in development. co development of additional systems may be happening as per Israels arrow program. We could buy additional systems of S300v systems from russia. The above would create a potential shield over India, that while not be completely impregnable would surely make the pakistanis think 30 times before initiating a strike that would be potentially disastrous for them.
c) Other initiatives is to build our assets in aerospace and elctronic warfare, with systems like KALI generating a electomagnetic impulse to knock out the electronics of ballistic missiles. ISRO might be able to initiate a mini star wars satellite to laser BM's as soon as they take off.
This may be years away, but there are air defense assets right now that can serve as a massive deterrent as indicated above.
d) Induction of the land missile system Brahmos in large numbers. It has already shown that Brahmhos has pin point accuracy and its supersonic speed ensures complete destruction. Though we have a no 1st use policy, these systems inducted in large numbers along the border along with sat immagery on silo sites and mobiles in pakistan would make them think much more than twice if associated with the above.
e) Indeed, sending in various spies to locate and possibly sabotage various units across pakistan is another option.
f) Bring their whole nuclear programme into disrespute and show how their programme threatens not just India, but the world on a grand scale. Links of xerox khan to Iran, have already been established. Links to North Korea are ongoing. They're programme could ultimately threaten Israel through Iran and hey whats the probability of a dirty bomb or a nuke leaving pakistan for the new world? We've already seen on a daily basis how most if not all suicide bombers have some relation towards pakistan. Highlight it and stress the need for safe guards from the world on them.
g) Polarise the public asto the dangers they face on a daily occurence. The truth of pakistan's involvement in trying to destabilise India should be highlighted. We are in a proxy war where innocents are dying every day due to pakistan's clandesting operations. Why are we still hosting their stars on tv and praising them? Public awareness should grow and the dangers explained. Even initiaves like emergency responses to a possible attack should be set in place with options open to face a stike. Public transport facilities should be strengthened to withstand a blast, for example the metro system in Dehli. This could be expanded to house a large population as well.
The fact remains that engagements can still take place should we be prepared. The armed forces thankfully have been practicing to take on such for close to a decade. Its time the common man as well knows what we're up against. I am sure that most Indian citizens would agree to tackle the problem now in some form....than to constantly live in the danger of what could happen should they step outside.
Gotta run so will discuss the other points l8r ( China and world pressure)
Rajesh G, could u expand on what you mean by blend in faith and diplomacy? What steps do you think GOI should take?
Perhaps i can answer your questions in a different order :
Nuclear Attacks :
No easy response, but the fact remains is how determined are we to see the end of the terrorist state. It is a sad fact that in previous wars we were never able to drive home the advantage we had and its led to the killing of many innocent Indians since.
The figure of 70000 plus comes to mind who have died in kashmir alone since pakistan proxy war in kashmir has started. I can't think of how many pilgrims and innocents have died in terrorist plots and bombs ever since, even going so far as to attack our parliament and to try and kill ministers to disrupt our way of life. How much are we to accept this form of attrition for the greater majority? Is 1 million hindus and sikhs enough to satisfy the greater whole? Does 100 school kids a year or pilgrims constitute an acceptable loss?
Fact remains that we are already at war....unfortunetly its one where Indian citizens are dying on a daily basis. Heaven knows how bad it could get with bangladesh joining the fray as another proxy from china and pakistan.
For the pakistanis, their nuclear capability sounds are their panacea for all ills. Any minor adventurism on the part of India sends alarm bells ringing in Islamabad with immediate threats on the part of initiating a nuclear holocaust in the south asian region.
To a large part, the GOI has accepted the bluff, so much so that even notions of hot pursuit, or limited border incursions or even artillary barrages from our side might have to cross red lines of engagement.
These lines have been discussed thoroughly, as to what might be acceptable. Basically it looks like after various discussions, even a pink line or scenarios there in seems to freak the GOI out.
So what are our options :
a) Call their bluff. Build the military and create an awareness in the people, that the above is not acceptable to Indian citizens and some plans will have to be taken. We are in essence in a cold war scenario and our public must realise this fact without resorting to the bhai bhai effect that im seeing on the tv so often.
The military for its part has long been training in a NBC enviroment. Indeed millions are being spent on suits, mobile truck centres and decontamination units. Initiative like Cold start are being put into place to win a short but decisive engagement in approx two weeks before international pressure steps in.
If the Nuclear issue is pakistans trump card then we need to remove it :
This can be done by :
b) Creating a credible ABM defense system. Various reports on the way of India trying to create an ABM system to negate the threat of the ding dongs and no dongs from pakistan. In my view it doesn't matter if the system is 100% efficient. Just installing such a system and regular testings will instill an unnatural fear in the pakistanis, losing their only trump card.
Would they risk a 1st strike knowing that none might get through and inviting a massive response as a result? I think the threat perception would drastically decrease.
We may yet be on the way. India already has the greenpine radars which can track the missiles throught their entire trajectory. Aerostat radars are being istalled and the Phalcon jets are arriving next year, giving us a 24 hr view of whats going on, on the ground and in the air in pakistan.
Air defense right now is primary. Also reports that Akash to be inducted from next year will have a possible ABM role. Again not forgetting that a separate ABM system is already in development. co development of additional systems may be happening as per Israels arrow program. We could buy additional systems of S300v systems from russia. The above would create a potential shield over India, that while not be completely impregnable would surely make the pakistanis think 30 times before initiating a strike that would be potentially disastrous for them.
c) Other initiatives is to build our assets in aerospace and elctronic warfare, with systems like KALI generating a electomagnetic impulse to knock out the electronics of ballistic missiles. ISRO might be able to initiate a mini star wars satellite to laser BM's as soon as they take off.
This may be years away, but there are air defense assets right now that can serve as a massive deterrent as indicated above.
d) Induction of the land missile system Brahmos in large numbers. It has already shown that Brahmhos has pin point accuracy and its supersonic speed ensures complete destruction. Though we have a no 1st use policy, these systems inducted in large numbers along the border along with sat immagery on silo sites and mobiles in pakistan would make them think much more than twice if associated with the above.
e) Indeed, sending in various spies to locate and possibly sabotage various units across pakistan is another option.
f) Bring their whole nuclear programme into disrespute and show how their programme threatens not just India, but the world on a grand scale. Links of xerox khan to Iran, have already been established. Links to North Korea are ongoing. They're programme could ultimately threaten Israel through Iran and hey whats the probability of a dirty bomb or a nuke leaving pakistan for the new world? We've already seen on a daily basis how most if not all suicide bombers have some relation towards pakistan. Highlight it and stress the need for safe guards from the world on them.
g) Polarise the public asto the dangers they face on a daily occurence. The truth of pakistan's involvement in trying to destabilise India should be highlighted. We are in a proxy war where innocents are dying every day due to pakistan's clandesting operations. Why are we still hosting their stars on tv and praising them? Public awareness should grow and the dangers explained. Even initiaves like emergency responses to a possible attack should be set in place with options open to face a stike. Public transport facilities should be strengthened to withstand a blast, for example the metro system in Dehli. This could be expanded to house a large population as well.
The fact remains that engagements can still take place should we be prepared. The armed forces thankfully have been practicing to take on such for close to a decade. Its time the common man as well knows what we're up against. I am sure that most Indian citizens would agree to tackle the problem now in some form....than to constantly live in the danger of what could happen should they step outside.
Gotta run so will discuss the other points l8r ( China and world pressure)
Rajesh G, could u expand on what you mean by blend in faith and diplomacy? What steps do you think GOI should take?