Vivek Issues N Otions July August 2014

Contents
EDITORS NOTE 3
GOVERNANCE
-
CENTRE STAGE
Regulatory Impact Analysis An Essential
Agenda for the New Army Chief Element of Policy Making 45
- Brig (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal 4 - Debashis Banerjee
NATION Cleaning the Ganga: Need for a New

Management Paradigm 52
India not Immune to Jihadist Fires
- Sushant Sareen 8 - Dr M N Buch
DEBATE BOOK REVIEW

Why Muslim Clerics Oppose Madrasa Churchill and the Jews
13 59
Modernisation Programme
EVENTS
- RNP Singh
Vimarsha on Transforming Centre-State
DIPLOMACY Relations 65
India Needs to Tread Cautiously in Defence
Discussion on Christine Fairs Book 67
Deals with US
19
- Radhakrishna Rao Interaction with Ms. Kavita Kewal,
68
Department of Defence, Australia
NEIGHBOURHOOD
Visit of Nepalese Delegation 69
Will President Xi Jinpings Visit change the
Contours of Sino-Indian Ties? Seminar on West Asia 71
25
- Brig (Retd) Vinod Anand
Interaction with Dr Moeed Yusuf 72
The Gujrat Model of Development: Can it
Talk by Amb Hussain Haqqani 73
Work for Nepal? 30
- Prof Hari Bansh Jha
DEFENCE
Strategic Defence and A Mountain Strike
34
Corps VIVEK : Issues and Options July August 2014 Issue: III No: IV
2
- Lt. Gen (Retd) Gautam Banerjee
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the articles published in the e-journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Vivekananda International Foundation
Editors Note
Hundred days is too short a period to assess the performance of a Government which came
to power riding on lot of hopes and has full five years at its disposal to keep the promises it
had made. Yet, like the box office collections of movies counted every week, the media
makes a circus of such events. While it would be too early to pass any judgement on the
Modi Government, its over three month long tenure clearly points to certain discernible
indicators pertaining to the nations economy, security, social security etc. Of course, the
most visible changes have been seen on the foreign policy front right from the word go.
On display is a strong and decisive leadership, which is willing to take bold steps and
initiatives, secure national interests yet retain the consensus and traditions. It would take
some time for changes in other crucial sectors to become visible on the ground given the
enormity of the challenges. Nevertheless, the NDA Governments first baby steps have
restored the pride and confidence of a demoralised nation and instilled hopes that good
days are not far away.
In this issue of Vivek, Brig (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal outlines the challenges and
opportunities before the new Chief of Army Staff, while veteran bureaucrat M N Buch
presents a blueprint for the success of the proposed project to clean river Ganga.
Also on the menu are two insightful and analytical articles by RNP Singh and Sushant
Sareen on topics hitherto skirted by mainstream media and the intelligentsia: the
opposition of Muslim clerics to modernisation of Madrasas and India not being immune to
Jihadists as is widely publicised and perceived.
Do keep us posted with your invaluable inputs.
K G Suresh
Back to Contents
VIVEK : Issues and Options July August 2014 Issue: III No: IV
3
CENTRE STAGE
Agenda for the New Army Chief
General Dalbir Suhags highest priority must be to address the critical
hollowness in the armys operational preparedness
- Brig (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal
O
n taking over as the COAS modern guns, missiles and radars
from General Bikram and the aviation corps required
Singh, who served with new helicopters to replace the
distinction for over two years, ageing fleet.
General Dalbir Singh Suhag said
his priorities would be to enhance Two consecutive reports of the
operational preparedness and the CAG of December 2011 and
effectiveness of the Indian Army. November 2012 brought out that
He also said that force the state of defence preparedness
modernisation, infrastructure was a cause for serious
development, optimisation of anxiety.The Standing Committee
human resources and the welfare on Defence (SCD) in Parliament
of personnel are issues that are has also noted these developments
close to his heart. with concern several times. In an
unprecedented move, the SCD
In March 2012, General V K insisted on meeting the three
Singh, the then COAS, had Chiefs to take stock of operational
written to the Prime Minister preparedness. The SCD has
about critical hollowness in the repeatedly urged the government
armys operational preparedness. to increase the defence budget to
He had pointed out large-scale enable the armed forces to
deficiencies in weapons systems, undertake meaningful
ammunition and equipment in modernisation.
service in the army and the fact
that many of the weapons and Weapons, ammunition and
equipment were obsolete or equipment shortages have
bordering on obsolescence. In persisted for long and several
particular, he had brought out Chiefs before General V K Singh
that the artillery and air defence had written to the PM and the
arms needed the infusion of Defence Minister for help to make
* Brig (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal, Visiting Fellow, VIF
4
up the shortfall. During the Kargil efforts to modernise.Logically,
conflict the nation had heard operational preparedness takes
General V P Malik,the COAS, precedence over modernisation.
make the chilling statement on The art of military leadership lies
national TV, We will fight with in finding an optimum balance so
what we have. Though the that all efforts that are made to
conflict was confined to Kargil enhance operational preparedness
District, 50,000 rounds of artillery also contribute substantively to
ammunition had to be imported as modernisation.
an emergency measure because
the stock holding was extremely The most critical operational
low. If it had become necessary to deficiencies include the
open another front, the shortage of inadequacy of artillery firepower
artillery due to the obsolescence of guns
ammunition would Military modernisation has two and mortars and
have seriously major facets: the replacement the consequent
hampered degradation in
of obsolete and obsolescent
operational weapons and equipment with their performance
planning. modern ones, which results in in battle. No
increasing combat modernisation has
Military effectiveness; and, the taken place since
modernisation has qualitative upgradation of the Bofors 155mm
two major facets: combat capabilities through howitzer was
the acquisition and induction
the replacement of of force multipliers. purchased from
obsolete and Sweden in the mid-
obsolescent weapons and 1980s.The night blindness of the
equipment with modern ones, armys mechanised forces needs to
which results in increasing combat be rectified immediately. The F-
effectiveness; and, the qualitative INSAS (future infantry soldier as
upgradation of combat capabilities a system) programme for the
through the acquisition and modernisation of infantry
induction of force multipliers. battalions must be implemented
General Suhag, like his on an urgent basis.
predecessors, faces a major
dilemma: given small budgets, Air defence guns and missile and
how can the army improve their radar systems are reported
operational preparedness while to be 97 per cent obsolescent. The
simultaneously make concerted Aviation Corps urgently needs 197
light helicopters. The old and
5
inefficient intelligence, army. However, finding officers for
reconnaissance, surveillance and 17 Corps will be a major challenge
target acquisition systems as there is an ongoing deficiency of
available today adversely impact approximately 10,000 officers.
command and control and Transferring officers from existing
targeting during war. Hence, the battalions will further dilute their
C4I2SR system needs a complete command and control and weaken
overhaul. The logistics support them intrinsically. The methods
system also needs to be revamped, for remedying this shortcoming
with the concept of just in time are well known; it is for the NDA
logistics being implemented. government to take appropriate
action in an early time frame.
The new COAS will preside over
the modernisation process during General Suhag wishes to ensure
the remaining three years of the that relatively softer issues like
12th Defence Plan, including the human resources development and
raising of 17 Corps for the welfare of serving personnel
employment on the border with and veterans are not neglected.
China. This Corps, being raised as Morale is adversely affected if
a strike corps for the mountains, these issues are not appropriately
is expected to cost Rs 64,000 crore handled. As a member of the
to raise and equip over a period of Chiefs of Staff Committee, the
five to seven years. Approximately General will help in the
90,000 new personnel will be formulation of the
added to the army's manpower recommendations of the armed
strength, including those in forces for consideration by the
ancillary support and logistics Seventh Pay Commission. This
units.New weapons and has been a rather contentious
equipment will have to be issue in the past and will require
procured for the divisions, sage handling. Finally, civil-
brigades and battalions of this military relations have not been
Corps. It will be a retrograde step good in the recent past and need to
to milk these from existing be improved.
battalions to equip new raisings.
If one may take the liberty of
Recruiting additional manpower of using a few well-known American
the requisite qualifications has so buzzwords and catch-phrases, the
far not posed any problems for the revolution in military affairs had
worlds third largest volunteer whooshed by the Indian army in
6
the 1990s. The transformation Suhag must forge a light, lethal
process that followed must be and wired army that can fight and
gradually implemented even win Indias wars on the
though it is a decade late battlefields of the 21st century
primarily due to budgetary jointly with the navy and the air
constraints. The COAS will be force.
responsible for the transformation
of the army to a network centric Back to Contents
force capable of executing effects-
based operations over the full
spectrum of conflict. General
7
NATION
India not Immune to Jihadist Fires
- Sushant Sareen
T
he recent revelations of four the failed suicide bomber of Indian
Mumbai youth who joined origin who bombed the Glasgow
the ranks of the abominable airport must be going through.
Islamic State in Iraq and Syria With no clarity, much less
(ISIS) should shake the Indian direction, coming from the political
political establishment and civil leadership to what was clearly an
society out of their reverie that emerging, but also extremely
India is immune to the Jihadism serious, threat which was
that is infecting Muslim politically a very sensitive issue,
communities around the world. almost a hot potato, even the
For far too long, India has been in security establishment
denial over the growing attraction underplayed it. But with things
of jihadist ideology and now heading for the proverbial
propaganda for Indian Muslim tipping point, it is critical that the
youth. Partly out of the ignorance government, the Muslim
of the phenomenon of Jihadism community, civil society, media
that is sweeping the Islamic world and public at large start taking
and partly out of political counter measures to ensure
correctness and a fallacious matters dont get out of hand.
understanding of the concept of Fortunately, with a new
secularism, India has peddled the government in place, the
fiction that its pluralism and somnolence on vital security issues
democracy is a perfect antidote to will become a thing of the past.
the jihadist virus. But for some
years now, reports have started After the 9/11 attacks and the
coming in about Indian Muslims start of the US-led Global War on
getting involved in international Terror, many countries suddenly
jihadist causes. became aware of the involvement
of their Muslim citizens in jihadist
For the last ten years, India was activities. While it was natural for
saddled with a Prime Minister most Muslim countries to find
who couldnt sleep in the night their citizens involved, the real
thinking about what the mother of surprise was the involvement of
* Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow, VIF
8
Muslims and recent converts to in with them. There have also
Islam in Western countries in been cells busted of Indian Muslim
jihadist activities. India however youth who were trying to go to
gloated that not one Indian Afghanistan to fight with the Al
Muslim was involved with Qaeda/Taliban against the US-led
terrorist groups like the Al Qaeda. international forces.
While this may have been
technically correct, it ignored the Admittedly, this trend of young
fact that Al Qaeda was less of an Muslims in India getting attracted
organisation and more of a to or seduced by international
phenomenon. The radicalism that jihadist phenomenon hasnt as yet
the Al Qaeda espoused and spiralled out of control. At the
practised was not very different same time, it would be a terrible
from a whole lot of radical Islamic mistake to underplay or ignore
groups that had this trend until it erupts. There is
started to emerge India however gloated that not clearly a lot of
in India, not just one Indian Muslim was churning taking
after 9/11 but also involved with terrorist groups place among the
much before that like the Al Qaeda. While this Indian Muslim
outrage was may have been technically youth, only it isnt
correct, it ignored the fact that
perpetrated. Apart Al Qaeda was less of an quite manifesting
from terrorist organisation and more of a itself yet in the
groups active in phenomenon. national life. This
Jammu and in itself is a cause
Kashmir for eg. Hizbul for worry because despite the tall
Mujahideen there were other claims of pluralism and secularism
groups like al Umma, PFI, etc. for which the previous
that had mushroomed in India. In governments have ad nauseam
the first decade of this century, the been patting themselves on the
Indian Mujahideen erupted on the back, it appears that there is very
scene. Initially, the IM comprised little connection or even contact
of young Indian Muslims who had between youth of different
lapped up the Pakistani communities. It is almost as
propaganda and worked on its though the Muslim youth are
instructions. But in recent years, living in a parallel world in which
there are reports of the IM being they are being subjected to
more inspired by the international influences that connect them more
jihadist movements and are tying
9
with international jihadist causes and establish Islamic rule and
than with national issues. recover lost Islamic territories.
The internet is undoubtedly the Many in India were somewhat
single biggest recruiting ground. surprised to learn of the growing
Chat rooms, websites, videos are attraction of ISIS for Indian
all becoming tools for inciting, Muslim youth. What we seemed to
influencing and enlisting young have ignored is the fact that
Muslims. All sorts of Muslims of the subcontinent have
disinformation and always had a thing for institution
misinformation is being spread of Caliph. Nearly a 100 years back,
through this World Wide Web. while the then Caliphate in
Unlike mainstream media where Turkey was practically on its
any assertion can be challenged death bed and hardly a tear was
and counter, in many of the being shed anywhere in the
internet sites, there is really no Islamic world, the Indian Muslims
counter narrative. Compounding were agitating in favour of the
the problem is the absence of any Caliph. Worse, Mahatma Gandhi
counter narrative even outside the made a strategic blunder by tying
internet that could serve as an in the freedom movement with the
antidote to the poison that is being Khilafat movement. Instead of
spread through the internet. making Indian Muslims seek
Young impressionable minds are inwards and strive for liberating
therefore ripe for the picking, their own country, the Mahatma
more so because of the utterly ended up encouraging them to
false and self-serving think in terms of the mythical and
manufacturing of some real but amorphous concept of Ummah.
mostly imagined grievances by the Not surprisingly, charlatans and
so-called secular forces. brutes like Mullah Omar of the
Interestingly, however, it isnt so Taliban fame and Abubakr al-
much local grievances that are Baghdadi a.k.a Caliph Ibrahim,
pushing the youth towards have been quick to bestow upon
Jihadism as it is international themselves grand titles of Amir-ul-
Islamic causes and conflicts as Momineen (leader of faithful) and
well as lure of becoming part of a Caliph respectively. This was
global Islamic movement that simply because of the resonance
seeks to regain the glory of Islam that such titles (even if self-styled)
strike among many Muslims who
10
seem to once again long for global among many young people. It is of
unity under a single leader. Indian course another matter that one
Muslims it seems are particularly has to be completely depraved to
susceptible to this concept, partly be attracted by the beastly antics
because of the sustained of the ISIS. Be that as it may,
propaganda on the internet and what is most disconcerting and
partly because of a certain class of disturbing is the fact that it isnt
Muslim clerics that have been the uneducated or madrassa
infusing this concept in their educated Muslim who is in the
sermons. forefront of joining the ranks of
international jihadist groups like
In the case of the ISIS recruiting ISIS. On the contrary, it is the
Indian Muslims, both the internet educated Muslim doctor,
and the clerics have come into engineer, graduate, technician etc.
play. Parties like the Jamaat who is getting willingly seduced
Islami and clerics like the head of by Jihadism. These are technology
the Nadwa savvy people with a
seminary have Parties like the Jamaat Islami bright future,
openly endorsed al- and clerics like the head of the which they give up
Baghdadi and Nadwa seminary have openly in the cause of
promised him endorsed al-Baghdadi and Jihad. And this
support. What also promised him support. trend is only
makes the ISIS so growing because in India there is
attractive is that it combines just no concerted effort either from
medieval barbarism with modern the state or from society, much
means of communication and less the Muslim community or
manages to connect with the families, to create a climate in
youth, not just in India but also which anyone subscribing to this
around the world. Compared to radical philosophy or ideology is
the ISIS, the Taliban remained shunned, sanctioned or scoffed at
medieval in their outlook and just for indulging in unacceptable
were not able to make their jihad behaviour.
appear cool to the youth. ISISs
successes on the battlefield have The Indian state needs to get its
also propelled its growing act together and ensure that jihad
popularity, in part because its is not regarded as anything cool
brazen brutality conveys a sense of by the Muslim youth. A counter
machismo that strikes a chord narrative has to be developed to
11
counter Jihad cool. For this, while activity in the Muslim community.
on the one hand the Muslim There is also a need for
community will have to be undertaking sociological and
engaged, on the other hand, legal psychological studies to try and
and administrative steps will have figure out why young Indian
to be taken to crack down on Muslims are getting attracted to
anyone indulging in unacceptable Jihadism. Ideally, all this should
behaviour or for that matter have been done yesterday. But
anyone inciting, misleading or even if this happens today things
indoctrinating young Indian might be still controlled.
Muslims. Alongside, intelligence Tomorrow however might be too
and surveillance capabilities will late.
have to be beefed up to pre-empt
and prevent this trend from Back to Contents
growing. Law enforcement
agencies will have to build
capabilities to both understand
and maintain an unremitting vigil
over any jihadist or radical
12
DEBATE
Why Muslim Clerics Oppose Madrasa

Modernisation Programme
- RNP Singh
D
uring his electioneering, option of development.
Narendra Modi had
assured Muslims a better While opposing the madrasa
life while preserving their culture. modernization programe Mufti
He had stated I want to see you Mohamadullah of Darul Uloom
with a laptop in one hand, Quran Deoband said from the day one in
in the other. After taking over as our history over a century, we
Prime Minister, Modis initiative have refused government help,
was revealed by President Pranab whether Indian or foreign. The
Mukherjee in his address to government wants us to join the
Parliament about the BJP Central Madrasa Board. We will
governments concept of never do it as it will ruin the
modernizing madrasas. No sooner madrasa education. Even the first
the governments concept was Minister for Education of
announced, leading Islamic Independent India, Maulana Abul
seminaries including Darul Uloom Kalam Azad had tried to establish
Deoband and Karnataka based an All India Madrasa Board to
madrasa Jamat-e-Islamic Hind stabilize the religious education by
decided to stall the Prime offering pay scale for teachers and
Ministers agenda to revamp proper examination for students,
madrasa education in India. Darul but he met with utmost resistance
Uloom Deoband has been notably from his close aides
campaigning extensively against including Maulana Shibli Nomani
the National Madrasa and Maulana Hifz-ur Rahman.
Modernisation Programme. They The Sachar Committee had
are giving excuses such as absence reported that just four percent of
of clarity about governments Muslim boys attend Madrasas.
programme and are pushing the Why is the government so
community into darkness without concerned about the four percent
providing them with a viable and ignores the rest 96 per cent
* RNP Singh, Senior Fellow, VIF
13
who study in secular school?. One five states have damaged Islamic
proof of the state governments learning irreparably.
apathy towards Muslim education
is its dilly dallying in granting If we look into the history of
land for Aligarh Muslim madrasa education in India, the
University campus in the state, evidence of madrasas in north
says Maulana Mehmood India dates back to the late
Daryabadi, General Secretary, All twelfth century when Sultan
India Ulema Council. He said as Muhammed Ghori conquered
far as teaching computer, English Ajmer in 1191 and set up a
and science subjects are madrasa in the town. As Turkish
concerned; many madrasas are rule expanded over other parts of
doing it on their own. India, Muslim rulers established
madrasas in their domains,
Muslim clerics providing them
want the In India, five state with extensive land
government to governments - West Bengal, grants (Jagirs) for
recognize madrasa Bihar, Orissa, Assam and meeting expenses
education on par Uttar Pradesh- have already and scholarships
set up Boards of Madrasa
with high school for their students.
Education that frame the
without bringing it syllabus for madrasas affiliated Muslims nobles
into the Madrasa with them, consisting of both and scholars
Education Board as traditional Islamic as well as followed suit and
according to them, modern subjects. set up educational
this attempt of the centres. In due
government is nothing but a ploy course of time, great centres of
to damage their religious system. Islamic study emerged in various
In India, five state governments - parts of parts of India and
West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, madrasas of Gujarat, Uchh (Sind),
Assam and Uttar Pradesh- have Multan ( Punjab), Delhi, Pandua
already set up Boards of Madrasa and Gaur (Bengal), Bidar,
Education that frame the syllabus Gulbarga and Aurangabad
for madrasas affiliated with them, (Deccan) were among the most
consisting of both traditional renowned in the entire Muslim
Islamic as well as modern world in their time.
subjects. But the Maulanas and
clerics of leading seminaries With the establishment of British
consider that the boards in these rule, the madrasas were faced
with what was seen as a grave
14
threat to their existence and falling prey to the blandishments
identity. In the 1830s, Persian was of the Christian missionaries. The
replaced with English as the educational Jihad that they
language of official correspondence launched to preserve traditional
by the East India Company in the Islamic learning was seen as
territories under its control. State taking the place of the failed
employed quazis were replaced by physical Jihad against the British,
judges trained in British law, as and working to train a class of
the application of Muslim law was Ulema who would take revenge on
restricted to personal affairs. A the British for having overthrown
new system of education was the Mughals.
gradually set up where Islam had
no place. Many modern schools The setting up of the Dar-Ul-
were established by Christian Uloom Madrasa in Deoband in
missionaries, whose antipathy for 1865, today which is the largest
Islam was well known. Thus, traditional madrasa in the world,
increasingly bereft of royal marked a turning point in the
patronage and finding their history of madrasa education in
avenues of employment greatly India. This madrasa relied
restricted, the madrasa system entirely on public donations. In
and the Ulema as a class had now the absence of any Muslim ruler
to contend with a major challenge as patron, it was now ordinary
to their survival. Muslims who came to symbolize
the survival of Islam in the
With the participation of several country. A few years after its
Indian Ulemas in the revolt of establishment, its graduates had
1857, the threat on their existence established their own small
further increased. Therefore, to madrasas in various parts of
save their identity many Ulemas India, spreading Deobandi
turned now to setting up a chain of teachings of Islam. The free
madrasas, for it was felt that education, board and lodging
under British rule Islam was provided by the madrasas
under grave threat and that it was attracted many poor Muslims who
only by preserving and promoting could not afford to study in schools
Islamic knowledge that the that charged fees. The hope of
younger generation of Muslims getting employment as muezzins,
could be saved from sliding into imams and madrasa teachers,
apostasy and preventing from also attracted many poor Muslims
15
with no other reasonable job their approaches to the nature and
prospects. Thus, increasingly, and extent of the reform they advocate.
especially after 1947, the There seems, however, a
madrasas came to be associated consensus that the core of the
with the lower classes, and today reform project should consist of
it is only very rarely that rich modification in the madrasa
Muslims would send their children syllabus and the methods of
to study in madrasas. teaching.
Another leading madrasa Nadwat- Such Muslim reformers feel that
ul-Ulema was set up in Lucknow madrasas must also teach new
in 1892 to train Ulema well versed subjects that would enable their
in both the traditional Islamic as students to play a role in national
well as modern disciplines. development such as the natural
However, teaching of modern and social sciences, the philosophy
discipline in this madrasa faced of the Indian constitution, civics
stiff opposition and the principles
from the Muslim advocates of reform in of the social justice,
conservative contemporary India include human rights,
Ulemas and both trained Ulema, products of justice, equality
therefore, it failed madrasas, as well as men who and freedom.
have been educated in schools.
to develop a new
class of Ulema. This would lead to
However, to include modern a transformation in how the
education in its syllabus remained Ulema see the rest of the world
a powerful source of inspiration for and how the world views them.
reformers in post 1947 India. Because madrasa students and
Ulemas are said to be cut off from
Muslim advocates of reform in the fast changing world around
contemporary India include both them, they suffer from an intense
trained Ulema, products of inferiority complex, hating
madrasas, as well as men who everybody with modern education
have been educated in schools. and hated by them in turn. If they
While all of them apparently were to prove their relevance and
agreed on the importance of the usefulness in the modern world,
madrasas as institutions geared to they would be able to recover for
preserving and promoting Islamic themselves the position that Islam
knowledge and Muslim identity, gives them of guides of the
there is considerable variation in community.
16
However, the views of those teaching of government
Muslim advocates who want prescribed books in the social
reform in madrasa education clash sciences which, in their opinion
with that of the Ulema, who see often provide anti- Muslim slant.
the madrasas as institutions
meant only for the preservation of Given the fact that almost all
Islamic knowledge and for the Madrasa teachers and students
training for Ulema. Hence, they come from lower and lower middle
insist that the teaching of modern class backgrounds and they
subjects if allowed must strictly remain largely insulated from
subordinate to that of religious development in the wider society,
subjects. This differing perception the need for reform is not felt
of the role of madrasas- along with urgently as it should be. Reform is
the fear that the introduction of also seen threatening their
modernization of the authority of privileges and their position as
the Ulema as interpreters of faith- sole interpreters of normative
accounts in large measure for the Islam. The existence of fierce
distinct lack of enthusiasm on the differences of school of thought
part of most madrasas for the and sects have made impossible
madrasa modernization the task of setting up an all India
programme of the states and body to regulate the policies and
central government. activities of the schools and efforts
to do so in the past have all failed.
In recent years, the government of Almost all madrasas are
India, as well as some state administratively independent,
governments have launched some which means that efforts to reform
small schemes ostensibly to assist have so far been scattered and
some madrasas, such as providing sporadic. But the Muslim
them paid teachers to teach community does not realise that
modern subjects. These efforts the clerics and also leaders, by
have, however, failed to make refusing modernization, play the
much of an impact, and only a few politics of vote bank just to acquire
smaller madrasas have taken state patronage for themselves
advantage of these schemes, for and their coterie. The madrasa
fear of government interference management also makes things
and control, which they see as difficult by not accepting
aimed at weakening their Islamic government grant because they
identity by introducing the will lose their autonomy and will
17
have to report to the government system of religious
over its expenditure. But they fail schools,) Khuda Bakhsh
to understand that the community Oriental Public Library,
as well as the country cannot Patna, 1995, p- 165.
progress unless the Muslims move 4. Moinuddin Ahmad,
ahead. Ulema: The Boon and
Bane of Islamic Society,
References Kitab Bhavan, New Delhi,
1. Qamruddin, Hindustan Ki 1990, p- 105.
Dini Darsgabe (The 5. Nizam Elahi,
religious schools of India,) Modernisation of Madrasa
Hamdard Educational Education Scheme, Delhi:
Society, 1996, pp-33-40) State Council for
2. Mumshad Ali Qasmi, Educational Research and
Tarikh-i-Dars-i-Nizami Training, 2001, p- 21
(The history of the Dars-i-
Nizami, Majma al-Bahuth
al-Ilmiya, Bilaspur, 1994,
p- 48 Back to Contents
3. Iqbal Ahmad Ansari, Dini
Madaris Ka Talimi
Nizam, (The educational
18
India Needs to Tread Cautiously in DIPLOMACY
Defence Deals with US

- Radhakrishna Rao
T
he statement that the closure. There is no denying the
Defence Minister Arun fact that American origin defence
Jaitley, who also holds equipment are overpriced. To
finance portfolio, made to the make the matter worse, the
Indian Parliament recently conditionality that US attaches to
reveals that India had spent the use of arms acquired by India
Rs.32,615.18-crore on acquiring is certainly irritating and
defence hardware from US. This intolerable. And on the top of
goes to show that US has replaced these, the US combat equipment
Russia as Indias largest arms in service with the Indian defence
supplier. By no means, this forces are constantly under the
development augurs well for India. Damocles Sword of sanction that
For it is no more than a case of US is capable of invoking at the
jumping to the fire from the frying drop of a hat. Clearly and
pan. Both USA and Russia have apparently, sanction at one fell
proved to be far from fair and swoop can render US origin
reliable defence partners. USA, fighting equipment unserviceable
which on earlier occasions, had and in turn unusable. So much for
denied India certain types of high the American concern to bolster
end fighting equipment is now Indian defence preparedness as a
more than keen to make available cornerstone of stability in South
to India a range of combat Asia region. Of course, Modi
hardware featuring latest genre Government should make it very
technologies. The reason for this clear to USA that arms,
overeager US drive rests on the ammunition and combat
one point agenda of sustaining and equipment bought on commercial
keeping alive the American terms should not end up as a
aerospace and defence industrial victim of changing political and
units faced with the cold prospect geo-political dynamics.
of poor orders and a possible
When it comes to arms supply,
* Radhakrishna Rao, Visiting Fellow, VIF
19
Russia is no better than USA. For that has already launched a
over pricing and sudden and cryogenic fuel driven launch
shocking escalation the prices vehicle and is on the job of
after the final contract is signed on building its own aircraft carrier,
some self imagined, flimsy the tag of being the largest arms
grounds as well as the delay in importer is certainly a kind of
the supply of spares which in most black mark.
cases come with poor quality have
all become the hallmark of Indo- But then on the positive side, the
Russian defence deal. How Russia hope for India to become self
blackmailed India into coughing reliant in defence production lies
up a huge amount over and above in the commitment of the
the amount stipulated in the final Narendra Modi led Government to
contract for the refurbishment and end Indian dependence on
modernisation of imported fighting
the How Russia blackmailed India equipment by
decommissioned into coughing up a huge putting in place a
amount over and above the
warship Admiral amount stipulated in the final vibrant Indian
Gorshkov renamed contract for the refurbishment military industrial
by India as INS and modernisation of the complex. Since he
Vikramaditya is decommissioned warship took over as Indian
now a part of the Admiral Gorshkov renamed by Prime Minister in
history. And recent India as INS Vikramaditya is May 2014, Modi
now a part of the history. has on more than
media reports
suggest that Israel, which in one occasion
recent years has emerged as one of reiterated the need for India to
the major arms suppliers to India, become an exporter of arms from
is also trying to exploit the being an importer of defence
opportunities provided by the hardware now. The massive outgo
Indian need for certain high tech of precious foreign exchange
defence equipment and extract involved in the import of arms
benefits far out of the proportion of along with scams and scandals
the deal. Israel, like Russia and associated with certain high ticket
USA, knows for sure that India is defence deals have proved terribly
now the largest arms importer, a costly for the Indian economy as
far from salutary distinction that well as the defence preparedness
should send India into a mood of of the country.
deep introspection. For a country
20
Against this backdrop, the Modi Organisation(ISRO) certain high
Government should not be end technologies that India would
enamoured of the sweet talks need to give a practical shape to
and alluring offers made by US its manned flight programme is a
administration whose previous question that cries for answer.
track record in dealing with high Hagel should also make it clear
technology transfer to India is far that whether the defence
from reassuring. And this talk of hardware of US origin being
so called bureaucratic red tape acquired by India will enjoy
stymieing the efforts to boost immunity against the notorious
India-US defence cooperation is sanction regime?
nothing but a clever US move to
dump its defence products on Modi Government should also
India. During his recent visit to seek assurance from USA that in
New Delhi, US Defence Secretary future it should not interfere with
Chuck Hagel had stated that the deal India may enter into
Bureaucratic red tape within independently with a country of its
either of our governments must choice for acquisition of arms or
not bind the limits of our high technology systems. In this
partnership and initiatives. context, the Indian side should
Certainly, US bureaucracy is bring to the attention of USA how
known to act in swiftness only in it prevented Russia from
cases where the deal benefits US transferring the cryogenic engine
more than the country importing technology to India in 1990s. At
the US origin equipment and that point of time, USA had
technology. The notorious US coerced Russia into going back on
multi lateral control regime its contractual commitment to
conspicuous for its vexatious and India to transfer the technology of
irritating bureaucratic cryogenic propulsion to the Indian
expressions with long winding Space Research Organisation
sentences makes the process of (ISRO) to help develop the three
high tech weapons import from US stage high performance
an exasperating experience. Will Geosynchronous Satellite Launch
the US administration allow its Vehicle (GSLV) on the ground that
defence and aerospace majors like it constituted the violation of the
Boeing and Lockheed Martin Missile Technology Control
make available to the Indian Regime (MTCR). From US
Space Research perspective, the cryogenic
21
propulsion is a sensitive and dual term of Congress led UPA
use technology. But then US Government. These proposals
should know that cryogenic centre round the plan to acquire
propulsion is not a preferred 22 Apache attack helicopters, 15
choice to propel missiles. Chinook heavy lift choppers and
four P-81 long range maritime and
In the context of the broader anti submarine aircraft.
canvass of a highly disturbed
history of Indo-US strategic By all means, India would need to
relations, India should not walk study seriously and analyse
into the trap set by US to push the carefully the offer of co-production
sale of its arms and fighting and joint development of defence
equipment with the sole objective equipment offered by USA. While
of saving its arms and aerospace in New Delhi, Hagel had stated
industrial entities from moving that US had come out with a
into red. Even the argument of dozen proposal to India under the
Hagel that Indias bilateral Defence
look East Policy By all means, India would need Trade and
and US rebalance to study seriously and analyse Technology
carefully the offer of co-
in Asia were in production and joint
Initiative for
sync with development of defence producing military
convergence in the equipment offered by USA. equipment under
security interests joint venture
of two countries stands in sharp partnership. We have offered to
contrast to the policy that US had not only co-produce but also co-
pursued in the second half of the develop the next generation
last century to arm and prop up Javelin anti tank guided missiles.
Pakistan which considers India its This is an unprecedented offer,
enemy no one. Rightly and said Hagel. Of course, India
appropriately, strategic analysts should cautiously weigh the option
see a design and motive behind of US offer with particular
more than usual enthusiasm of reference to its cost, terms of
USA to expedite the pending technology transfer, intellectual
proposals of acquiring US defence property rights and the chances of
equipment. Of course, Modi the joint venture project attracting
Government need not rush into the sanction. Indias own
the act of clearing the pending experience in terms of acquiring
proposals made during the second high end technology from foreign
22
partners has been far from arms showing a steady decline and
satisfactory. In fact, the efforts China slowly emerging as a
that Defence Research and decent player in the multi billion
Development Organisation(DRDO) dollar global arms market, USA is
had made to take forward the all set to lose its clout in the
development of home grown international defence trade. This
Kaveri engine-- which could not is a reality India should take
generate the requisite thrust it cognisance of. And on its part,
was designed forin tie up with India should leave no stone
the French engine major Snecma unturned to enter the arms export
had come to naught after it was market even while moving on the
realized that the French company path of self reliance in the
was not ready to part with certain development and production of
advanced technological elements defence hardware.
that India was keen on mastering.
As such India, should exercise India, which now imports two
restraint while evaluating the US third of the defence hardware
offer of co production and joint required by its defence forces,
development. For in the ultimate should initiate a national mission
analysis, there is no substitute for fully well supported by a forward
indigenous research and looking Defence Technology
development and a self reliant Commissions as well as a
base for manufacturing high end empowered National Defence
defence equipment. In fact, the Industry Committee to clear the
worlds major arms producers decks for the creation of a vibrant
started approaching India with military industrial complex. It is
offers of high tech equipment only also important that the Indian
after Indias strength in many of Government should start looking
the advanced areas of technology at private and public sector
was recognised globally. industrial units active in defence
production as a holistic entity
In particular, US wants greater forming part of the vital national
access to Indian defence bazar defence sector. Thrust should be
only with an eye on bolstering its on harnessing the capabilities and
defence and aerospace industry expertise cutting across the
which accounts for a lions share of private-public sector juridisctional
its GDP (Gross Domestic boundaries to attain self reliance
Product).With global sales of US in defence production speedily and
23
efficiently. Some other areas However, the way ahead of Indias
where India should come out with strategic independence
proactive measures with a view to championed by Modi, is
transform the country into a major challenging and strewn with a
exporter from being the worlds variety of complex obstacles. But
largest defence equipment with a Government fully well
importer include: removal of entry committed to defence self reliance,
barriers for industrial units taking nothing can prevent India from
up defence production, upgrading becoming a thriving hub of defence
the manufacturing expertise of development and production.
Indian defence industry, thrust on
enhancing the quality of defence Back to Contents
products, encouraging
competition, promoting private-
public partnership as well as
incentivising research and
development that would help India
sustain its lead in defence
production.
24
NEIGHBOURHOOD
Will President Xi Jinpings Visit change the

Contours of Sino-Indian Ties?
- Brig (Retd) Vinod Anand
T he coming visit of President Xi

Jinping is being viewed as a
visit that could define the next
decade of engagement between the two
Asian giants. It is generally accepted
good rapport. These multifarious
engagements have already brought to
fore the Indian concerns and have
indicated the direction in which both
countries want to proceed further. One
that Sino-Indian relationship could turn thing which is certain is that no
out to be more important than the Sino- dramatic breakthroughs in the
US engagement if leadership of both the relationship should be expected.
countries were to cooperate and give
substance to the conception that the Modis mantra is development and
locus of global economy and power has growth and that has been the basis on
shifted to Asia. Notwithstanding the which he has come to power. Having
fact that there is dissonance between the had firsthand experience during his
two countries on a number of issues, visits to China as Gujarat Chief
both nations do share common Minister, he has been thoroughly
perceptions on many of the international impressed by the development and
issues and especially so on the nature of economic growth of China and
the emerging world order. especially its infrastructure in terms of
roads, ports, highways and some of the
Further, the visit also needs to be seen new cities and towns. Therefore, he is
in the backdrop of the unprecedented keen to conclude agreements with the
two summit meetings between PM Li visiting President regarding Chinese
Keqiang and Manmohan Singh last infrastructure companies undertaking
year, recent visit of Vice President projects in India. India is looking for
Hamid Ansari to China to celebrate 60 infusion of Chinas surplus funds in
years of Panchsheel and not to be left Indian infrastructure and in other
behind the visit of Indian Army Chief avenues of investment. Though an
Gen. Bikram Singh to China in first MOU for setting up an Industrial Park
week of July (after a gap of 9 Years). has been signed by our Trade and
All these engagements were topped by Commerce Minister during Vice
Xi and Modi meeting on the sidelines of President Ansaris visit to China, it is
BRICS where both leaders established a just a small step; Modi is looking for a
* Brig (Retd) Vinod Anand, Senior Fellow, VIF
25
framework agreement on investment by engagements, while promises have been
China. Modi is keen to push made to come to grips with the issue, no
infrastructure development by the substantial progress has been made.
Chinese in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh Therefore, in the coming visit, New
and Tamil Nadu. Delhi is looking forward to an
agreement that grants greater access of
Indias requirements of funds are a huge Indian goods and services to the
1 trillion US dollars as per its current Chinese market, for instance Indian
Five Year Plan and it is hoped that pharmaceutical products, IT enabled
China can contribute possibly 30 services, cotton textiles & home
percent of such requirement over a furnishings etc. There are many non-
period of time. But a Sino-Indian tariff barriers on Indian exports of
agreement for anything closer to 30 goods and services. Removal of these
billion USD or even somewhat lesser would enable India to close the trade
amount in the coming visit could be a gap; though it is also not expected that
game changer. There would be some the trade should always be balanced yet
problems like the another way is that
absorption capacities There would be some problems like China invests in India.
and many other the absorption capacities and many Under the present
difficulties connected other difficulties connected with the circumstances, it
with the local local environment but all such issues appears unlikely that
environment but all can be overcome provided the the projected bilateral
political will is there from both
such issues can be sides. trade figure of 100
overcome provided billion USD by 2015
the political will is there from both can be achieved.
sides. Recently, a country like UK
offered 1 billion pounds (around 1.75 Thirdly, whenever a bilateral visit takes
billion USD) for infrastructure place, there is a pattern of behavior
development in India. Obviously, from Chinas side which needs to be
Chinas capacities are much beyond this avoided. Such a behavior has been
amount. exhibited with regularity on the eve of
all previous political visits. Before the
Second agreement that could give a Indian Vice Presidents visit, a
positive momentum to Sino-Indian ties controversial map was released by
needs to be in the field of trade and China besides transgression by PLA
commerce. The trade imbalance troops in Pangong Lake. Last year
between the two nations is now to the before PM Li Keqiangs visit to New
tune of around 35 billion USD which Delhi, there was the Depsang valley
needs to be addressed. In all the intrusion. In fact, it is difficult to recall
previous top level political any visit where before the event there
26
has been no negative incident. Largely, Fourthly is the question of lack of
the perception is that such Chinese sensitivity to Indias core
events/incidents are deliberately concern of Kashmir issue. Since
planned to put Indian decision-makers nineties till 2005, China had been
on the back foot and in order to test following somewhat of a neutral
their resolve. approach but after 2005 or so, there has
been perceptible difference in Chinas
Though it may not be necessary to have approach with its tilt towards Pakistan.
any written agreement on the above Chinas developmental and other
aspect, both leaders can reach an activities in Pakistan occupied Kashmir
understanding that such incidents have a negative impact on Indias
should be avoided in order to give security. It also needs to be remembered
positive atmospherics to the bilateral that even Pakistan considers Kashmir as
meets. disputed therefore; if China wants to
While many agreements have been reduce dissonance with India, then
signed culminating into Border Area Chinas return to a neutral stand would
Development Cooperation (BADC) add to positivity of Sino-Indian
agreement of 2013, the border incidents relationship.
continue to take place. Several Fifth is the Tibet question. This year is
incursions in Ladakh sector by Chinese being celebrated as the 60th year of
troops have taken place since January Panchsheel Agreement. India is not
2014. PLAs posture has become much enamored with the Panchsheel
increasingly very assertive and it has Agreement as it recognized Chinas
been attempting to expand its claimed suzerainty over Tibet without any
areas (which are in any case ill- concession to India in the bargain. It is
defined). After the signing of BADC, considered as a lack of strategic vision
such incidents should have been a on part of Nehru. While the Five
rarity; both leaders need to reach an principles of peaceful coexistence are
understanding on the same and need to quite all right, it was the preamble of
enforce their writ; any fresh formal the agreement that became more
agreement on the issue would not be of significant than the clauses in the main
any avail if the previous agreements are text. The fact that India was represented
not adhered to in their true spirit. There at the celebratory event in China by its
is a need to arrive at a mutual modus Vice President is also some kind of
vivendi on the issue. Peace and message that Panchsheel does not hold
tranquility along the border remains an that level of significance. In the bilateral
important element for growth and summits for last three years or so, even
development. This has been recognized though India has been adhering to one
so in the previous agreements. China policy, the same is not being
27
mentioned in the Joint Communiques largely share similar perceptions on the
issued after the summits. This has been emerging scenario and have common
largely as a response to Chinas failure concerns on the security implications of
to recognize J & K as part of India. the unfolding scenario. There is a JWG
There have been many other irritants on the subject; both sides are expected
like the stapled visas issue to residents to explore practical ways of cooperating
of Arunachal Pradesh. in Afghanistan so that peace and
stability is brought to that nation.
Further, the presence of Lobsang However, on the question of terrorism,
Sangay, Kalon Tripa / Sikyong of Tibet China still continues to see through
Administration at Modis swearing Pakistani prism. While the Americans,
ceremony also indicates the current the Western nations and possibly the
governments stance in some measure Chinese have seen through the double
though there is no change in Indian game of Pakistan, they feel constrained
governments policy that Tibetans to take any action against Pakistan for a
cannot carry out any political activities number of geo-
in India etc. However, on the question of strategic reasons. The
Another significant terrorism, China still continues to negative role of
see through Pakistani prism. While Pakistan needs to be
issue that needs the Americans, the Western nations
further discussions is and possibly the Chinese have seen recognized by China
the damming activities through the double game of otherwise peace and
on Yarlung Pakistan, they feel constrained to stability in the region
Tsangpo/Brahmaputra take any action against Pakistan for including in Xinjiang
River; some a number of geo-strategic reasons. would remain elusive.
discussions took place While at the international level, both
during VP Hamid Ansaris visit to nations largely identify with each
Beijing; the two governments signed an others aims, objectives and interests in
implementation plan on provision of the multilateral forums, on climate and
hydrological information on the trade issues, WTO etc. yet, China is yet
Brahmaputra River in flood seasons by to endorse India becoming a permanent
China and India. Expansion in areas of member of UNSC as also a member of
cooperation in this field has to take note the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
of the interests of lower riparian nations Meanwhile, China led by President Xi
like Bangladesh and India. So far Jinping has become increasingly
Chinese policies on the issue are not aggressive and assertive in Asia both
conducive to good relationship. militarily and economically indicating
Coming to the regional situation, the that it aspires for leadership role in
most important issue would be that of Asia. Promotion of a number economic
Afghanistan post 2014. Both sides corridors and silk roads, offering
28
funding by establishing Asian Overall, the forthcoming visit of
Infrastructure Development Fund, President Xi is unlikely to change the
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation fundamental nature of Sino-Indian
Development Fund and many other relationship as China is not ready to
economic initiatives by China are aimed relent on issues considered by India to
to enhance its strategic presence. be part of its core national interests.
Some advances on economic and
On the other hand, China needs India on connected issues are possible. Modis
its side for the success of its view of the approach includes management of the
new Asian security architecture where conflict areas between the two nations
according to Chinese perceptions the while at the same time striving to have
US and the others have no role. India enhanced economic, political,
favours a strategic equilibrium in Asia diplomatic and people to people
whereas China is anti-status quo engagements.
aspiring to dominate the Asian
firmament. Thus, Modis visit to Japan, Back to Contents
Australian PM Abbots visit to India
before President Xis visit and later
Modis visit to the US need to be seen
in the context of India attempting to
balance the emerging strategic
equations.
29
NEIGHBOURHOOD
The Gujrat Model of Development: Can it

Work for Nepal?
- Prof Hari Bansh Jha
T
he 'Gujrat Model of disapproved. Each year, the state
Development' has become administration was equipped to
synonymous with Narendra achieve one or the other new goal.
Modi, formerly the Chief Minister If in one year the goal was to make
of Gujarat state between 2001 and Gujrat Nirmal (sanitary); in the
20014 and now the Prime Minister other it was to achieve Nirogi
of India. Sometimes, this model is Balak (healthy child).
also called 'Modionomics,' in which
development is treated as a Most importantly, the idea of
movement. Primary role for the 'minimum government, maximum
development is given to the governance' was executed in letter
private enterprises. Strong focus is and spirit to secure utmost
given to the development of sound participation of people in
infrastructure, creation of development activities. Since
business friendly regulatory 2003, Chintan Sibir (Thought
environment, simplification of camp) was organized annually for
procedures, promotion of two-and-half days with the
entrepreneurial spirit, and objective of making governance
adoption of intolerant attitude least formal, reducing the
towards bureaucratic red tape. communication gap between the
The underlying principle is to give top and bottom rungs of officials
a vigorous boost to the economy by and also developing networks to
increasing the supply side get the work done on the spot.
economics. Apart from the Chief Minister and
Ministers, the IAS officials, top
In Gujrat, the red-tape was police officials and the principal
slashed at the state level. To forest conservators participated in
maintain unnerving grip on the camp right from early morning
administration, interference in till 8:00 PM. Each participant,
transfers and postings was including the Chief Minister, was
* Jha is Professor of Economics and Executive Director of Centre for Economic and Technical
Studies in Nepal
30
expected to follow the queue and confrontational. As many as 200
they were free to sit anywhere for industrial estates were established
meals. Interestingly, Yoga to accommodate most of the small
exercises and cultural events were and medium enterprises. Many of
also organized to trace out the the industries were located at
inherent talent among the enclaves like Vapi.
participants.
Following the agitations against
In the infrastructure sector, the location of the Tata Motor
modern ports were constructed in factory at Singur in West Bengal,
Gujrat. A network of high speed Modi offered 1100 acres of land at
roads was created to connect all Rs. 900 per square yard to this
important cities of the state. company at Sanand, adjacent to
Congenial environment was Ahmedabad, for the establishment
created for guaranteeing energy of Nano car factory. The
security to the investors. Huge manufacturing of Nano could not
chunk of resources Trade unions were made more prove that much
was invested in compromising than profitable venture
thermal, atomic, confrontational. As many as for the Tata
hydel, and 200 industrial estates were Motors. But for
renewable energy established to accommodate Gujrat it was a
sector. Altogether most of the small and medium blessing. Sanand
enterprises.
23 conventional has now been able
power plants were to attract
installed. Production of wind internationally famous companies
power was raised to 3,147 MW in like Ford and other auto
2013. Installed capacity of solar component manufacturers.
power reached over 900 MW. A
2,200 km gas grid was A survey conducted in 2010-11
constructed. Within a short span revealed that Gujrat had 21,300
of time, Gujrat began to produce factories, which formed 10 per cent
surplus power. of total factories in India.
Manufacturing sector accounted
As industrial peace was for one-fourth of state's GDP. This
guaranteed in Gujrat, the number state alone has been able to
of unrest cases declined drastically employ nearly one-tenth of the
from 42 in 2003 to 28 in 2011. country's total factory labour. All
Trade unions were made more such factories are large entities as
compromising than
31
they employ on an average over state, Gujrat was able to achieve 8
fifty workers. percent farm growth against the
national average of 3.1 per cent in
While industrial sector was given the last one decade.
a key role in Gujrat model, the
agricultural sector was not Vigorous drive was given for
overlooked. To promote this sector, increasing the enrolment of
the land records were students in education sector. The
computerized and information number of schools was doubled;
about the land use was provided many of which were government
on the website. Irrigation was schools. Almost 79 per cent of the
given top most priority. The total population in Gujarat above
Narmada dam project proved to be seven years turned to become
a game changer. Agricultural literate. In the knowledge sector, a
extension programme was number of universities related to
launched on a vigorous scale. agriculture, petroleum, defence
Agricultural planning activities and security, Sanskrit and Yoga
reached the blocks and villages were established.
and even to the doors of the
farmers. Krishi Mahotsavs were In the social sector, the infant
organized in agricultural outreach. mortality rate fell from 64 per
Over a-hundred-thousand officials thousand live births in 2001 to 38
from eighteen departments of the in 2013. People below the poverty
state had to visit the farmers in line dropped down to 14 per cent.
their villages for a month before Investment commitment in the
the onset of monsoons. Their job state rose spectacularly to $450
was to test the soil, prescribe billion in 2011. All this helped
nutrients, suggest hybrid seeds Gujarat to achieve over 11 per
and give advice for making the cent, which was highest among all
agricultural activities profitable. the Indian states.
The traders, processors and even Success achieved in Gujrat took a
the retailers were allowed to new dimension as the focus on
purchase agricultural products development changed from the
from the farmers directly. state to national level when
Consequently, agriculture no more Narendra Modi became the Prime
remained a subsistence activity Minister of India in May 2014.
and it emerged as a business-like Soon after this event, Modi
venture. Despite being a semi-arid developed a new vision to
32
transform India into a modern, sooner than later. So here is a
vibrant and fast-growing economy. growing public opinion that the
A tough decision was taken to government of India should make
upgrade the level of technology. the Gujrat development model as
An ambitious project to connect the main tenet in India's foreign
Mumbai with Ahmedabad is in policy, especially in relations to
offing. One hundred mega cities the neighbouring countries. There
are being developed. Nearly 800 is ample opportunities for Nepal to
million toilet houses are being emerge as an economic power
constructed within five years until house in South Asia if an effort is
2019 to end the problem of open made to execute this model by
defecation in the country. The slashing red tape, developing
Sagarmala project is introduced to infrastructure, and modernizing
interconnect all the coastal cities agricultural, industrial, trade and
in the country through roads, rail, service sectors.
ports and airports. Effort is on to
ensure transparency in Back to Contents
government functioning, increase
the performance in education,
health care and commercial sector,
which is likely to have trickledown
effect in the Indian economy
33
DEFENCE
Strategic Defence and A Mountain
Strike Corps
- Lt. Gen (Retd) Gautam Banerjee
Begin, be bold and venture to be wise - Horace
Cause for a Mountain Strike modernisation, is no more able to

Corps restrain from exercising her tactic
of forcing gradual migration into
R
ight from the days when the claimed territories. Having
Peoples Republic of China already firmed up her possession
(PRC) decided to use of the Aksai Chin and Shaksgam
military power to address its Valley, she is engaged in
border issues with India, the preparing grounds for her next
Indian Army suffers from a phase of expansionism through
serious operational debility. This outlandish claims over the
debility arises from an absence of Arunachal Pradesh and many
counter-offensive capability across other bits. Accordingly, the LAC is
the watershed of the Indo-Tibet subject to increasing intrusions at
Border or the Line of Actual Hayuliang-Fish Tail, Asaphila-
Control (LAC). Indeed, Indias Longju and Lungma-Kerang areas
defence oriented military strategy in the Eastern Sector, Thag La
remains inconclusive unless it has Barahoti areas in the Central
within its ambit a viable Sector and Chumar, Demchok,
component of autonomous counter- Pangong Tso, Depsang Plains and
offensive or riposte capability to Daulat Beg Oldi areas in the
confront the aggressor with Western Sector of the Indo-Tibet
counter-threat(s) that forces him Border. In the process, the PRC
to divert or recoil from his has advanced its notional claim-
venture. lines well into the Indian territory.
The decade past has found that Offensive-in-Defence

Beijing, perhaps buoyed by
fruition of her military Captain B H Liddell-Hart had
* Lt. Gen (Retd) Gautam Banerjee, Executive Council, VIF
34
argued, with substance of counter-attack phase of a
historical proof, that though defensive battle at a place and
neither flamboyant nor time of the defenders choosing
spectacular as the offensive, it was must be but imperative to what
the defensive strategy in most may essentially be an ambit of
cases that brought assured victory defensive strategy.
in the end. However, there is a
caveat. According to the universal Beyond the Line of Defence
Principles of War, for a defensive
strategy to come successful, an Navies perform their mandate of
effective offensive content must be defending national waters and
intrinsic to each level of its coastlines by engaging in
prosecution. It is so that the operations beyond the nations
various stages of defensive maritime boundaries. The Air
operations to harass, delay, resist, Forces too target the enemy
limit and cause beyond the
attrition to the According to the universal national air space;
enemys attacking Principles of War, for a only in case of
forces have to be defensive strategy to come hostile ingress
successful, an effective
infused with offensive content must be would they direct
offensive intrinsic to each level of its their attack into
characteristics. At prosecution. own territory. In
the tactical level, similar vein, in
this principle manifests in the order just to maintain the sanctity
form of the defenders raids, of a given line of defence but no
spoiling attacks, reinforcing more, ground forces have to resort
manoeuvres and local as well as to offensive action across that line.
deliberately planned counter- To be really effective, these
attacks, the last named being an offensive operations call it
exclusive operation for which counter-offensive or riposte have
contingency plans are made and to be launched from distinct firm
forces earmarked. base(s) and at timing(s) that are
Further, as the history of warfare well clear from the tumult of
teaches, to trigger final collapse of defensive engagements; needless
the enemys aggression, a to state, in the contemporary
capability to undertake context, all of these would be joint
autonomous counter-offensive as service operations. The purpose
distinct from the aforementioned here is to exploit those sectors
35
where the aggressor prefers to April 2013 may have been the last
remain in relative dormancy, and straw. That was when the Chinese
so upset his strategic designs by troops set up camp well behind
disrupting his force-matrix, Indias LAC and refused to budge,
terrain-orientation and task-to- just as it had done earlier in the
time equation. The United Zimithang, Asaphila and
Nations Forces offensive on Hayuliang areas in Arunachal
Inchon in the Korea War of 1951- Pradesh and Demchok area in
53, Indias counter-offensive in the Ladakh, thus highlighting for
Lahore Sector during the 1965 the nth time - the helpless
Indo-Pakistan War and Israels situation that could confront India
encirclement of the 3rd Egyptian should Beijing decides to spurn
Army in the 1973 Yom Kippur Indias entreaties to vacate
War are apt demonstrations of intrusion.
this principle.
According to the official version
The Idea of 17 Corps and its implications, the 17 Corps
is under raising at Ranchi, where
By the Year 2007 or so, the extent during the Second World War,
of build up of the PRCs military General William Slims 14th Army
infrastructure along the Indo- had geared up to win back Burma
Tibet Border had at last stirred from the Japanese, and where the
the Indian Governments Eastern Command Headquarters
conscience. Thus, it raised two was located till 1953. Once fully
army divisions and beefed up air raised, the Corps Headquarters
power to round off Indias defence would move to establish itself at
capability in the Eastern Sector. Panagarh in West Bengal, another
However, the void of that element World War II logistic base from
of autonomous offensive action where the wars in Burma and
which must be intrinsic to any China were sustained. The Corps
defensive strategy, remained would have two specially
unaddressed. That is the structured mountain divisions - 59
deficiency which is sought to be & 72 Divisions - headquartered at
filled by the raising of a Mountain Panagarh and Pathankot
Strike Corps, the proposal for respectively. Besides, there would
which had been pending with the be two each of independent
Government since some years armoured and infantry brigades,
past; the Depsang La incident in one of each being located in
36
Ladakh in the West and the other These challenges are sought to be
two stationed in Sikkim and tackled over the next seven odd
Arunachal Pradesh in the East. A years, to which end elaborate
Corps being a very large formation surface and air transportation,
of nearly 70,000 troops and vast communications and base
paraphernalia of weapons, infrastructure are to be created
equipment, transport etc., the along the border belt. Formations
brigades and units, numbering and units are to be located close to
above 200 odd, would be located air bases and surface
variously from Ladakh to communication hubs, expansion of
Arunachal Pradesh. Another the Air Force transportation,
division is reportedly being railways and border roads being a
considered to be orbatted to this step complementary. Even then, it
Corps in which case the strength would have to be a formation that
would be around is structured to
90,000 troops. Of A Corps being a very large operate at the far
course, there would formation of nearly 70,000 ends of tenuous
be many changes troops and vast paraphernalia lines of
affected in the of weapons, equipment, communications,
transport etc., the brigades and
force-structure and build up and deploy
units, numbering above 200
their locations as odd, would be located variously astride
the Corps shapes from Ladakh to Arunachal rudimentary axes
up in step with its Pradesh. after acclimatising
evolving concepts the troops over one
of operations. to two weeks, and prosecute
offensive operations in
The idea of 17 Corps is unique in confrontation with a great military
military history. No field power.
formation has ever been assigned
to operational contingencies so The charter is mind boggling. It is
fluid, across so distinctly doable of course, but there are
separated frontages and axes complexities and concerns to be
spread over 4000 odd kilometres, dissected in all seriousness and
over freezing deserts of 4300 to addressed with strategic sagacity.
5300 metres altitude where living Therefore, a discussion on the core
itself is no less a battle, to considerations would be in order.
prosecute offensive operations as a
corollary to strategic defence. Role and Objectives
37
would be indicative of the
The likely role of 17 Corps, within optimum depth of operations.
the overall ambit of the nations Starting from the Indo-Tibet-
defensive strategy, may be Myanmar Tri-junction and ending
envisaged in light of the preceding at the Aksai Chin, the Western
discussion. Foremost, it would be periphery of Gongrigabu Qu
to launch in counter-offensive - (River)-Chayu, the Southern
autonomous or conjoined with periphery of Yarlung Zangbu
other formations - to unhinge any (Brahmaputra River)-Langquen
military aggression. Next, it would Zangbu (Sutluj River) and the
be to balance out territorial loss in Eastern periphery of Lingzi Tang-
one sector by sallying out in Kailash Range - inclusive of the
sector(s) of choice, to secure, in Western Tibet Highway or its
part or whole, the Indian version subsidiaries - could be that
of the boundary alignment. Other reckonable depth.
roles could be to deploy to limit
and destroy the attacking forces, Within the aforementioned belt,
or to invest the adversarys ingress one class of objectives could be
and to evict it if necessary. In territorial in nature. Considering
other words, besides its classical the historical legacy, these
counter-offensive role in war, even territorial objectives may be
in no-war scenarios when the broadly identified as: one, in the
option of forcible eviction of the North-East, the areas West of
intrusion may not be exercised in Chaya (Rima) and South of
order to avoid escalation, it would Nyngchi, Tsona Dzong, the
be possible to, firstly, contain the Chumbi Valley, Khamba Dzong
intrusion, and secondly, to counter and the Brahmaputra River; two,
it by advancing the LAC in some the Mansarovar (Mapam Yumco)-
other location a sort of tit-for-tat. Sutluj River Belt in the Central
Sector; and three, in the Western
Proceeding further, the first Sector, the Pangong-Indus (Senge
question to arise in the context of Zangbu) Valleys and the Depsang-
any worthwhile strike relates to Soda Plains. Herein, any of the
the possible objectives of tactically feasible axes of
significance. Obviously, the operations, single or multiple,
objectives would be such as to leading to territories across the
unhinge PRCs military LAC or up to and beyond the Indo-
aggression, and that purpose Tibet Border may be activated.
38
Indeed, there are many possible hostile terrain, weakened and
areas which may be logistically then destroyed. Notably, the
upgraded within a decade or two modest scale of Indias retaliatory
to support offensive operations of strike in comparison to Chinas
battle formations ranging in doctrine of massive offensive may
composition from brigade group not be an issue just penalising
size to two divisions plus; some of and holding up a giant would
these axes may even be upgraded dampen his blustery, and
in just a few years time. Notably, therefore could be seen as a
while the desolate terrain may not politico-military redemption.
offer classical military objectives,
the very act of pulling off Organisational Structure
territorial riposte would be
sufficient to lever Indias cause. By far the biggest challenge in
Besides, targeting logistic hubs at raising the 17 Corps would be to
Nyngchi, Gyangze, Ngari, Rudog structure a potent and cost-
and some more, denial of bridges efficient force and equipping it for
over Yarlung Zangbu and the kind of terrain - and as a
Langquen Zangbu, and breach of corollary the kind of warfare - it
the Western Highway or its would be called upon to master. In
subsidiaries would definitely tell that context, recourse to
upon the Peoples Liberation replication of orthodox tactics,
Armys (PLA) aggression. structures and equipment profile
would offer strong attractions.
However, having seen that the
force, terrain and mission, all
three are unparalleled, adoption of
templates would be a grave
mistake. For the right
organisation to be devised
therefore, it would be appropriate
to evaluate the functions of the
terrain and conceptualise
appropriate battle tactics to
The other class of objectives could harness its nuances.
aim at force-destruction, in which
the attacker would be contained in From Indias view point, the
terrain is like a funnel, its narrow
39
stem widening into an expanse as The severe dictates of the terrain
the watershed is approached and attributes may be turned into
the Tibetan Plateau unfolds. tactical advantages provided
Resultantly, for nearly three- organisation, tactics, equipment
fourth of the 300-450 kilometres to and logistics are customised in
the watershed, deployment of exclusivity. For example,
forces would have to be along induction, establishment of logistic
relatively narrow, steep, winding bases and movements through the
and rugged valleys, mostly over rugged mountains on Indian side
single axes, with availability of of the watershed may well be
shunts and laterals few and far rendered much safer from air and
between. Obviously, forces would missile attacks as compared to the
have to move and deploy in enemy on the plateau-land who
echelons over restricted axes till would be open to detection and
they cross over to the plateau-land interdiction from air-ground
whence they would operations. Even
Obviously, forces would have to
have the option of move and deploy in echelons from the
either diverging or over restricted axes till they consideration of
converging combat cross over to the plateau-land time and space, the
power to reduce whence they would have the factors would not
selected option of either diverging or be adverse towards
objective(s). converging combat power to India when the
reduce selected objective(s).
Indeed, in that traversing
remote and distances,
desolate expanse of cold high communications and altitudes are
altitude desert, the quantum of weighed in comparison. Lastly,
force-application would be decided when well reconnoitred and
by the logistic capability to field adapted to, the plateau-land would
and sustain battle formations. As offer to the Indian forces good
a corollary, the Corps may need to scope for behind the line
divide itself to operate astride operations.
multiple axes, even across
multiple sectors North-East, Factoring analogies from past
Central and West in varying campaigns as well as concurrent
combinations of divisions and tactical concepts, the tactics would
independent brigades to sally out hinge upon manoeuvre of multiple
into the plateau-land. combat elements to shape the
battle-matrix and followed up with
40
sharp engagements, rather than a like command and control warfare,
replay of mass assaults of the kind reconnaissance, intelligence
propagated before the advent of preparation and deception and
Revolution in Military Affairs. The geo-spatial survey teams would be
objectives could either be mandatory for the Corps to fulfil
communication and logistic hubs, its role. Above all, the Corps
or opponent forces. Indeed, the operations must be tuned to true
campaign would follow the eternal articulation of air power for
practice of what is currently manoeuvre, air assault and
described as Hybrid Warfare, in operational logistics.
which 4th Generation battles
would shoot-off from field Equipment
formations engaged in deliberate
offensive campaigns. Of course, Needless to emphasise, it would be
dominance in air power would play wise to equip 17 Corps with
a singular role in reconnaissance, transportable and manoeuvrable
information war, destruction, war-like equipment, the loss of
interdiction, support to ground mass being compensated by higher
operations, troop mobility and scales of holdings and brisk
logistic sustenance of the war operational momentum. The
effort. problem is that the global arms
industry has not found it
In the overall context therefore, profitable to invest in development
organisation and equipment for of weapons and equipment that
the 17 Corps have to be exclusive. answer to the characteristics of
For example, the Corps may be high altitude mountain warfare,
composed of integral scout, and therefore most such
reconnaissance and special service equipment do not form part of
units and brigade groups importable inventory. Most of its
integrated into flexible mix of light theatres of war being
and heavy combat arms. It may mountainous, Indias defence
also have to be structured for planners could have turned this
transportable, manoeuvrable and dearth into self-advantageous
higher volume of fire-power and force-superiority through
enhanced grouping of support arm indigenous research and
elements. Similarly, provision of development. Regrettably, they
in-built force-multiplication failed to adapt to that rather
elements of information warfare - obvious need, confined as they
41
were with dated notions about hand. Great armies are known to
ponderous characteristics of do so; Indian Army has done so
mountain warfare. Equipping the before.
17 Corps in a manner
operationally desired would Logistic Springboard
therefore require specific design
modifications, field trials and mix The quantum of force that can be
of import and customisedcommitted to offensive operations
production under an overarch of through a given sector would be
economical viability. Given Indias dictated by the extent of sectoral
system of functioning, the logistic capacity, existence of
officially promulgated time-line of operational axes therein, and the
seven to eight years to acquire the robustness of these. Besides, final
right range of weapons and outcome of trans-Himalaya
equipment may operations would
therefore turn out By implication therefore, based be decided by
on the intended counter-
to be rather tight. logistic
offensive tasks of the 17 Corps,
logistic infrastructure would survivability of
But more than have to be developed, both in that force in a
that, optimal terms of sectors and axes of terrain so
equipping of the 17 possible operations as well as unliveable. By
Corps would be an the quantum of likely force- implication
application along those sectors
exercise therefore, based on
and axes.
advantageous only the intended
if the Indian military fraternity counter-offensive tasks of the 17
sets out to assimilate what Corps, logistic infrastructure
weapons and equipment that may would have to be developed, both
be readily acquired, and subsume in terms of sectors and axes of
the qualitative shortcomings into possible operations as well as the
specifically devised battle-tactics quantum of likely force-application
and operational procedures. In along those sectors and axes. This
other words, to begin with, it capability would have to be built
would be wise to foster tactical up in the form of static
ingenuity to customise orthodox installations - such as roads, air-
tactical concepts, and accept heads, administrative bases,
redundancies in scales to overcome dumps, services, survivable-
lesser performance from what habitat, etc as well as
military hardware is available at expendables like ammunition,
42
rations and fuel. Besides, once the Corps to be fully operational
across the watershed, the burden must have been decided based on
of logistic sustenance would such considerations. But as to the
require to be extended, insulation, implementation, there must be
portability and mobility being the alacrity - Indias traditional
key determinants in this case. elephantine pace would not
Further, logistic capacity-building deliver.
would have to be maximised to
conform to foreseeable operational In adopting the above mentioned
contingencies. No doubt, planning measures, logistic services to be
and build up of logistic integrated at unit, formation and
infrastructure calls for intelligent theatre levels would have to be
forethought and deliberate time- freed from the standard templates
and-cost intensive undertaking at and reconstructed according to the
the national level. unique conditions of Himalayan
warfare, grouping of detachments,
Even if well within Indias manpower, load handling
engineering capabilities, equipment, mobility and
infrastructure development communications being the thrust
projects would necessitate areas. The orthodox advocates of
deployment of additional the teeth-versus-tail issue may
construction agencies and have to reconcile to larger
enormous funding; these two complements of logistic services if
factors would determine whether they set their hearts to winning a
the projects would take a decade war in the High-Himalayas.
or double that to be in place. As for
the turnover or replacement of Notably, not just the raising of a
expendables, the challenge would Mountain Strike Corps, it would
be even more complex. Life-cycle be the build up of commensurate
stocking and turnover of military infrastructure that would
ammunition in itself would be a signal to the adversary, the scope
tedious and costly commitment. and options of Indias military
Lastly, in environs so deterrence. To forestall military
excruciatingly hostile, air-power adventurism from PRC therefore,
would have to play a lead role in Indian defence planners would be
forward provisioning to the forces wise to break-out of the festering
for them to survive and fight. The stagnation that grips
period of seven or eight years for
43
infrastructural development in
border areas. Raising of the 17 Corps is one of
the landmark events of Indias
A Larger Strategic Dividend military strategy. However, to
make the best of this unique
If there is one matter to which the military formation, the Indian
Indian psyche would never defence fraternity must prepare to
reconcile, the military debacle and prosecute wars that are
political drubbing India got in exclusively Indian in nature
1962 from Maos China would be exclusive in terms of tactical
that one. No wonder therefore that concepts, force-composition, and
even when conscious of the balance in deployment.
Peoples Liberation Armys
overwhelming combat power, Finally, as military history tells
making China pay heavily for any us, when marshalled with tactical
future aggression remains a innovation, a strategic force of the
matter of faith for all Indians, nature of the 17 Corps will
indeed the Indian Armed Forces. invariably offer a range of
So far this aspiration had been strategic options which may go
stifled by the void of autonomous beyond its role initially mandated.
offensive capability that, to Articulated with free flow of
reiterate, must form part of any strategic acumen, this military
worthwhile defensive strategy. asset therefore may offer
Raising of a Mountain Strike exponential peace dividends.
Corps will therefore round-off the
Indian strategy for the defence of
its territories. No doubt, the cabal Back to Contents
of India baiters cannot be
enthused by the advent of the 17
Corps.
44
GOVERNANCE
Regulatory Impact Analysis An

Essential Element of Policy Making
- Debashis Banerjee
R
egulations are an ability to achieve its targets.
essential part of the
toolkit of policy Regulatory Impact Analysis
instruments governments can (RIA) is a process of systematic
use to achieve the intended identification, appraisal and
objectives. But regulations estimation of the likely impacts
usually have widespread of new regulatory proposals and
ramifications. A `good efficacy or relevance of existing
regulation will be both effective regulations. To gauge such
and efficient. Effective in the impacts, RIA generally uses a
sense of achieving its planned consistent analytical tool like
goals and objectives, and cost-benefit analysis. Basically
efficient in terms of cost being a comparative process;
implications i.e. in terms of RIA is based on determining the
achieving these objectives with underlying regulatory objectives
minimum costs, in terms of being sought and identifying all
government administrative the policy interventions that are
costs and costs percolated to the capable of achieving them. RIA
economy as a cost of compliance has been globally acknowledged
to this regulation. A systematic as a promising tool to analyse
approach is required to ensure the need and relevance of
that the regulations that are existing as well as new
developed and implemented are regulations on the basis of set
of high quality. A poor quality criteria, developed though a
regulation increases compliance consultative process, and
costs for business and other matching with the context of the
groups, leads to unnecessary particular country.
complexity and associated
uncertainty and adversely RIA is a tool that can help
impacts the Governments governments make their policies
* The author recently retired as Joint Adviser (Industry & Infrastructure Planning), Planning
Commission
45
more efficient and also to trust in regulatory institutions
examine their qualitative and policy makers.
aspects. With todays more open
international markets and The origin of RIA can be traced
growing budgetary constraints, back in the US in 1970s, when it
minimising the cost of reducing was used to examine perceived
competition pressures is burden of certain regulations
essential. Regulatory quality and the related inflationary
immensely contributes to good pressure, if any in the economy.
governance, which is Between 1995 and 2000, RIA
increasingly recognised in became almost mandatory in
assessments of a countrys the Office of Management &
competitiveness and Budget (OMB), USA and its
attractiveness for investment. scope widened with inclusion of
RIA does not in itself determine non-quantifiable costs and
decisions, but it provides benefits and expansion of focus
empirical data that can clarify to look into the areas of risk
the options available to a assessment of regulations. In
decision-making process. the United Kingdom, practice of
RIA made a modest beginning
RIA is an adjunct to good during 1980s, but gained
decision-making, not a momentum since 2006 with
replacement for political constitution of Better
accountability. RIA attempts to Regulation Task Force and
clarify the factors relevant to subsequently, Better Regulation
making of policy decisions. It Commission. Alongside UK,
pushes regulators towards European Union was prompt to
making balanced decisions that adopt RIA procedure as a part of
trade off possible solutions to the better governance agenda.
specific problems against wider Another early adopter of a RIA
economic and distributional requirement was Australia
goals. By strengthening the (1985). By the mid-1990s
transparency of regulatory approximately 12 OECD
decisions and their rational countries had implemented RIA
justification, RIA strengthens requirements of some form,
the credibility of regulatory although the scope of the
responses and increases public required analysis varied
considerably. By 2000, 20 of 28
46
OECD countries had consultation and collection of
implemented RIA requirements. expertise through rulemaking
Currently, almost all OECD groups can run throughout the
countries use RIA. whole process.
Requirements of RIA had also
begun to be strongly promoted Many guidance documents are
to its client countries by the available on how to conduct an
World Bank. As a result, RIA RIA and produce the related
has attracted attention in many document for decision makers. A
emerging and developing Guideline for introducing and
countries as a key element to practicing RIA has been
improve regulatory policy developed by OECD, which has
making and an increasing been widely accepted by a
number of developing countries number of developing countries.
have now adopted RIA The guideline undergoes
requirements. intermittent refinements based
on lessons learnt. As a general
The process of RIA usually approach, the document
involves a series of five logical prescribes to go for getting reply
elements that structure the to the following questions (Box
analysis: problem identification, I) prior to commencement of
objective definition, option actual process steps for RIA
development, impact analysis (Adopted from OECD (2008)
and option comparison. By
providing transparent and
evidence-based analysis of the
advantages and disadvantages
of the rule options with regard
to defined objectives, decision-
makers and stakeholders are
given a solid reference
framework for discussion and,
informed and evidence-based
decisions. RIA development is
therefore a process that is
integrated with the rule
development process of the
Agency. Stakeholder
47
Undertaking RIA and area, which is already
preparation of the related regulated, require only a limited
outcome document follow a impact assessment. Table 1
rational policy process, which below summarizes the three
takes moorings in the categorizations of RIA based on
indications received through the the nature or degree of impacts.
reply to questions enlisted in
the Chart 1. The process
comprises a number of phases
(Box II). (Adopted from OECD
2008)
The above processes, despite

their wide acceptance as a
common framework for taking
up RIA exercise, should not be
interpreted as the `one-size-fits-
all best practice model for
evaluation of relevance and
efficacy of the existing or
proposed regulation. On the
The depth and scope of the contrary, reckoning it as an
impact assessment is overall guideline, one has to
determined by the importance devise and design RIA process
and expected size of the impact model that remains compatible
of the new policy. Generally with the needs and resource
speaking, all new proposals that constraints specific to a country.
apply to a new policy area or In the process, careful
introduce a new approach that consideration has to be given on
affects a high number of people a number of issues. Firstly, RIA
need to be preceded by a fully has to be championed across the
detailed impact analysis. More government towards building up
limited policy changes in an of a strong political commitment
48
to integrate RIA with the policy- overcoming of snags in the
making process. Secondly, present process but bring
appropriate skills for RIA have efficiency in future regulations.
to be built within the
government machinery. This In India, a concerted effort for
skill set, apart from capturing regulatory reform has
and enumeration of costs commenced long back, but
implications and potential ironically development of a
benefits, should invariably comprehensive system and
involve application of framework for RIA is still in the
judgmental and subjective nascent stage. There have been
evaluation of qualitative some small moves. SEBI has
impacts of the regulation under used RIA in some cases albeit
the scanner. Thirdly, RIA with a limited scope. It has
process should initiated a
include an There have been some small process of
extensive moves. SEBI has used RIA in introducing RIA
confabulation and some cases albeit with a in its boards
exchange of views limited scope. It has initiated a decision-making
among all the process of introducing RIA in for introducing
its boards decision-making for
interested parties introducing new regulations new regulations
and stakeholders around 2007, but has since not around 2007,
so that appropriate been used routinely. but has since
information and not been used
reactions are gathered and routinely. Likewise, Central
analyzed before finalization of Electricity Regulatory
views. Fourthly, RIA system Commission has developed RIA
would have to be made robust tool customized to carry out
enough to combat regulatory impact assessment of CERC
capture or dubious opposition by regulations. In the Indian
special interest groups. Finally, context, it is required to be
RIA system should have proper recognized that the use of RIA is
system of monitoring and ex- not merely semantics but forces
post evaluation. Evaluation a strong analytical framework
should comprise four separate for judging and introspecting
parameter i.e. content, output, before new regulations are
outcome and impact evaluation. introduced. RIA, in ex ante as
This will not only facilitate well as ex post manner should
49
be adopted by each and every regulatory governance is the
regulator (financial or need of the hour. This involves
otherwise) along with the wide completing the policy cycle,
public consultation process into closing the loop between
every proposed regulation. This regulatory design and
will create the seemingly evaluation of outcomes, with
impossible duality of better evidence-based approaches to
regulation with less regulation support proportionate decisions,
at the same time. policy coherence and better
assessment of the benefits of
Over the past 15 years, the regulation.
OECD has played a pioneering
role in bringing the issue of Bibliography
regulatory reform to the fore
and spreading the culture of 1. Regulatory Policy Division,
RIA. Much has been achieved Directorate for Public
over the years, with many Governance and Territorial
countries hitherto adopting Development, Organization of
practice of RIA and benefitting Economic Cooperation &
from the positive effects of Development (OECD) (2008),
quality regulation. Although Building an Institutional
temporal modifications from Framework for Regulatory
lessons learnt have been Impact Analysis (RIA):
fetching improvements, still Guidance for Policy Makers,
some limitations in RIA cannot paris
be ruled out. The recent global 2. OECD (1997), Regulatory
crisis exposed massive flaws in Impact Analysis: Best Practice
regulatory activity, as well as in in OECD Countries, Paris.
supervision and enforcement. 3. European Aviation Safety
Other phenomena are also Agency(September,2011),
testing the limits of regulatory Regulatory Impact Assessment
frameworks. Regulatory policy (RIA) Methodology,Cologne,
is currently at the crossroads, Germany
and it needs to integrate a 4. Kirkpatrick C.H. & Parker
broader governance perspective David (eds) 2007), `Regulatory
to address current and future Impact Assessment: Towards
challenges. Reinventing trust in Better Regulation (; Edward
government through effective Elgar Publishing Ltd, UK
50
5. World Bank (2004), World Policy at the Crossroads:
Development Report,2005, `Mapping an OECD Agenda for
Washington and Oxford the Futures in (Alberto
University Press Alemanno et all eds.)Better
6. Katarna Staroov (2010). Business Regulation in a Risk
Regulatory Impact Assessment: Society, Springer New York
Formal Institutionalization and
Practice. Journal of Public
Policy, 30, pp 117-136. Back to Contents
doi:10.1017/S0143814X0999020
1.
7. Lorenzo Alli o and Stphane
Jacobzone (2013), Regulatory
51
GOVERNANCE
Cleaning the Ganga: Need for a New

Management Paradigm
- Dr M N Buch
T
he Ganga is considered the or the land of Bharat.
holiest of holy rivers in
India, though people who What the Ganga is to India the
live on the banks of the Narmada River Thames is to England. But
would hotly deny this. Both the look at the difference in scale.
Narmada and the Ganga are Thames rises at Thames Head at
known as the Jatashankari, or an elevation of 110 metres above
that which descends from the msl. The Ganga rises at Gangotri
locks of Shiva. Both are also at the height of more than forty
known as Rewa. Legend has it times that of the Thames. The
that every year Ganga comes to length of the Thames is 346
the Narmada for a dip which kilometres and the Ganga 2510
purifies it. The Ganga is a kilometers. The total basin of the
relatively young river when Thames covers 12,935 square
compared with the Narmada, kilometres whereas the drainage
which flows through land which is area of the Ganga is over one
geologically amongst the oldest in million square kilometres. But
the world. Therefore, the Narmada one thing the two rivers did share
is millions of years older than the in common and that is the extent
Ganga. Despite this, the Ganga of the pollution. In England in
has the prime position in sanctity late nineteen and early twentieth
of all the rivers in India. The century, the Thames was so
belief is that the Ganga is self polluted that in 1858 the stench of
cleansing, that no matter how the river reached such extremes
much of pollution there is at that the House of Commons no
Varanasi, the water remains pure longer sat at Westminster. Raw
and that stored Ganga water sewage and garbage were emptied
retains its purity indefinitely. In into the Thames and between the
the psyche of the Indian people years 1832 and 1865, four serious
and of Hindus in particular, the cholera outbreaks killed tens of
Ganga is synonymous with India, thousands of people. Ultimately
* Dr M N Buch, Dean, Centre for Governance and Political Studies, VIF
52
this led to a firm decision of the Thames, except in terms of the
British Government to clean the attitude of the people and of
Thames and under the supervision government. In the case of the
of Joseph Bazalgette, a dedicated Thames, the people and
public health engineer, massive government united to clean up the
sanitary sewers were built on the river, whereas in the case of
north and south of the river Ganga the people are indifferent
embankment to intercept all to what happens to the river and
sewage flowing into the Thames. the government is clueless about
In the mid twentieth century, the what to do with the river. So much
Thames Conservancy was set up so that even at Rishikesh and
and this took up the task of Haridwar , where the river
cleaning the Thames from its debouches into the plains, not a
source up to its mouth very single town has a fully integrated
seriously. Heavy industry and sewage system, nor are there
tanneries along the Thames were interception sewers which could
shifted, oil In the mid twentieth century, prevent the fall of
pollution reduced, the Thames Conservancy was raw sewage from
sewage treatment set up and this took up the task open drains or
systems of cleaning the Thames from sewer lines into the
modernised and a its source up to its mouth very river. That is why
number of steps seriously. at Har-Ki-Pairi,
taken to ensure the main river has
that the water quality improved. been bypassed through a canal
A dead river was revived and which creates a pool of relatively
aquatic life has now returned to clean water in which pilgrims
the Thames. Today, of course, the bathe. Certainly at the confluence
Thames Conservancy has been of the Ganga and the Yamuna
merged with the Environmental and, perhaps, at one time of the
Agency which, together with the Saraswati, the entire town
Port of London Authority, is drainage of Allahabad enters the
responsible for ensuring that the river and that is where the
river Thames remains clean and worlds largest religious
healthy. congregation, the Kumbh, is
organised once every twelve years,
The scale of the Ganga being what when tens of millions of people
it is, obviously there can be no real over a period of one month bathe
comparison between it and the in the Ganga. What is more, the
53
Yamuna carries with it the sewage weedicides and other chemicals
load collected at cities such as that the silt which flows into the
Delhi, Mathura and Agra and Ganga is almost equal to several
dumps it into the Ganga at chemical factories emptying into
Allahabad. Even today, with the the river. To this should be added
cleaning programme of the Ganga, the fecal matter which flows into
we have not been able to tackle Ganga throughout its length, as
the pollution at Allahabad. The also the solid waste generated by
Ganga has located on its banks a the huge population inhabiting the
number of large cities and towns. most densely populated area in
These include Kanpur, Mirzapur, India, the Gangetic Plain. In the
Varanasi, Patna, Bhagalpur, the upper reaches of the Ganga, the
cities of Bengal, especially population pressures are less and
Kolkata. Between Haridwar and the steep gradients ensure a self
Allahabad, for example, there are cleansing velocity which
the industrial towns of Moradabad neutralises through aerobic and
and Rampur, both contributing anaerobic action the pollutants
their mite to pollution of the which enter the river. Because the
Ganga. river is snow fed there is dilution
of the pollutants so that the
The basin of the Ganga is over ten human waste is rendered
lakhs square kilometres in area harmless. But once it enters the
and contains just about the finest plains, the Ganga has a gradient
alluvial soil in the world. This is of 1:8000, which means that it
the granary of India growing flows through extremely flat land
wheat, rice, lentils, sugarcane, and, therefore, the velocity of flow
potatoes, oil seeds, legumes, is minimal and the movement of
chillies, jute, and just about every the river is sluggish. Also,
other types of crop that one can whereas the river tends to be very
think of. Alluvial soil is friable wide in the plains, it is also
and, therefore, during the relatively shallow, especially as
monsoon the top soil has a silt accumulates in the river bed.
tendency to run into the river, During the dry season, the river
which then carries an enormous becomes confined to a very small
silt load. Honest soil is not part of the total bed and is only a
polluted, but agriculture in India trickle. In the wet season, the
today is so heavily dependent on river flows into the flood plain and
synthetic fertilisers, insecticides, is like an enormous shallow pool
54
which has a length of about 1,500 her Ministry will search for and
miles. There is stagnation and unearth the mythical Saraswati.
when stagnant water is polluted, Incidentally, a study made by the
it forms a toxic combination. Not National Geographic some years
to mince words, far from being ago used satellite imagery to trace
pure at Varanasi, the Ganga is the course of the ancient river, the
actually a huge cauldron of delineation of which ran through
toxicity because the pollutants present day Haryana to include
together form a deadly the Ghaggar, One of the most
combination. There is a build up serious archaeologists in India,
of poisonous chemicals, there are Professor Wakhenkar, who lived
pathogens which promote in Ujjain and discovered the
infections, there is rotting organic ancient cave painting at
matter which releases gasses, Bhimbetka at Bhopal, did a
noxious smells and provides a sustained study of the Saraswati
fertile bed for the breeding of in which he averred that the river
harmful germs. Not to mince words, far from was not mythical
This is the river being pure at Varanasi, the but real. His
which the Ganga is actually a huge finding was that
government of cauldron of toxicity because the tectonic movement
India has promised pollutants together form a in the past had
to clean up. deadly combination. caused major shifts
in the Himalayan
Uma Bharti is the Minister for region which changed the course of
Water Resources, to whom has the Yamuna, separated the
been given the task of cleaning the Saraswati from the Gangetic
Ganga. Of course the effort to system and caused the Saraswati
clean the Ganga goes back into the to dry up. In fact it is believed that
hoary past, but it was Rajiv the entire Harappan Civilisation
Gandhi who first tried to died because the river on which it
systematise the efforts. One was dependent, the Saraswati,
welcomes the start but ultimately, had lost its Himalayan source of
like many other such schemes, the water, thus depriving a large part
project lost momentum and of Northern India of water. The
ultimately very little has been National Geographic study
done to clean the Ganga. Now confirmed Wakhankars views
Uma Bharti has announced that and, therefore, one can safely state
as a part of cleaning the Ganga, that the Saraswati was not a
55
mythical river. But one has to its improvement. These would
equally accept that just as include the total elimination of all
geological changes affect the earth, industrial pollution wherever it
geological changes can make a takes place. This is the relatively
river dry. easy part because industries are
sizable and their effluents are
Making the Ganga pollution free is amenable to being diverted into
an issue so eminent and so outfall drains from where they
praiseworthy that it stands on its can be moved for treatment. This
own. Why only Ganga? Why not is true even of relatively small
every river in India which is scale operations like leather
polluted, which means virtually tanneries. Is there a single
every river in India? However, blueprint for dealing with all
because attention is being focused industrial pollution along the
on the Ganga, let us not go into length of the Ganga with a view to
byways or loiter into lanes with a its interception and treatment?
dead end. Let us stick to the
Ganga. Is there a holistic study of For human waste, which
the river in which vulnerable contributes the largest share of
points from Gaumukh to Sagar pollution, we obviously need to
Island have been identified? Has bring towns and cities under a
the nature and quantum of designed sewage system, with a
pollution at all these points been total elimination of wayside
studied and quantified? Has the defecation. This means that every
river been divided into logical citizen must have access to a
segments whereby the pollution of sanitary toilet, all excreta must be
each segment upstream is tackled conveyed by sewer lines to outfall
so that it is not transferred to the sewers and these must discharge
downstream segment? Have the into treatment plants which give
major tributaries such as the at least primary and secondary
Yamuna and the Betwa been treatment to all such waste. This
similarly studied? Has anyone is an expensive proposition, but it
looked at the pollution coming in is capable of implementation and
from Bangladesh? The Ganga must be accorded a very high
Authority must look at the entire priority if we are to clean up the
Ganga basin as a whole, cut it into Ganga. This also applies to solid
convenient segments and then waste, a great deal of which finds
suggest specific programmes for its way by way of garbage into the
56
river. Surely we can prevent eliminated. This requires the
people from throwing garbage into intervention of the Agriculture
the river and for this purpose we Department on an unprecedented
must have proper policing and scale, taking into account the
deterrent penalties for those who vastness of the Ganga basin. Have
act irresponsibly. If every act of Uma Bharti and her team given
improper disposal of garbage is any thought to this issue and to
detected and penalised, soon it will what extent has she co-opted
become a habit for citizens to agriculture scientists, researchers
deposit their garbage in and practitioners in the project of
designated places, after cleaning the Ganga? The project
segregation of biodegradable and to clean the Ganga also requires
non-degradable material. Strict the active participation of the
enforcement here would suddenly people. The habit of cleanliness, of
clean up the whole city and this proper garbage disposal, of
would be a most cooperating in
What has government done to
welcome engender this, apart from pious
creation of an
development. This statements, the occasional effective sewage
is where strictness advertisements in newspapers system all call for
pays. appealing to the people to keep a complete change
the river clean and the in the attitude of
The Ganga cannot observation of the odd the people who can
be purified till we cleanliness day? become partners in
take care of the cleaning the Ganga
vast quantities of chemical and, therefore, offer their active
fertilisers and insecticides flowing participation. What has
into the Ganga as a byproduct of government done to engender this,
agriculture. Obviously one cannot apart from pious statements, the
build interception drains along the occasional advertisements in
entire length of the Ganga and in newspapers appealing to the
any case they would have to be people to keep the river clean and
large almost to the extent of the observation of the odd
creating a parallel river. cleanliness day? Uma Bharti has
Obviously the answer here is to proved her ability as an election
have a very massive programme of campaigner in which she has been
encouraging organic agriculture in able to mobilise public opinion in
which the use of pesticides and favour of her party. Why can she
chemical fertilisers is virtually not bring the same zeal to bear on
57
mobilising people to become need to create a new management
partners in the Clean Ganga and administration paradigm to be
campaign? able to effectively implement the
programme for cleaning the
It is obvious that the Ganga will Ganga. For this we need a
not be cleaned merely because the Ministry which is imaginative,
Prime Minister participates in innovative, open to ideas, able to
Ganga Arti in Varanasi. The organise a team and, above all,
Ganga can be cleaned only if there firm in decision making and
is a proper study of the river, stealfist in implementation. It
identification of points and causes needs to systematically prepare
of pollution, specific programmes, schemes which address the
including engineering works for priority areas seriatim and which,
interception of pollutants, collectively, will bring qualitative
adequate budgetary support to change to the river.
ensure that schemes are
completed, mobilising of the Back to Contents
people, the evolving of
technologies to deal with the
problem and constant monitoring
and supervision of the works and
the maintenance of the works. We
58
BOOK REVIEW
Churchill and the Jews

(Author: Martin Gilbert; Published by: Harold Holt & Co., New York, pp 359; Price: Rs
1112)
Understanding Churchills Relationship with the Jews
- Prabhat P Shukla
I
t is a rare book where the as the appointee of the Caliph, the
reader gets the clear sense in Sultan of Ottoman Turkey.
the first fifty pages itself that Through Fatima, the daughter of
the time and money spent on the the Prophet, the Hashemites
book will be well recompensed. claimed descent from the Prophet
Churchill and the Jews by Martin Mohammed.
Gilbert is such a book, and is rich
in information that is little The correspondence between
researched, and yet bears great McMahon and Sharif Hussein
relevance to the issues of the day. described the boundaries of the
proposed Arab state after the
For an Indian reader, there is presumed success of the Arab
information in the very opening Revolt against the Turks. It gave
chapters that is gripping. This the territory east of the line of
concerns the role of Sir Henry Aleppo Hama - Homs
McMahon, the man after whom Damascus to the Arabs, while
the boundary between India and retaining the western areas for
Tibet defined in the 1914 Simla their own disposal. In his private
Conference is named. After correspondence, McMahon
finishing up in Delhi, he was clarified that this was done in the
appointed High Commissioner to clear understanding that these
Egypt, and in that capacity makes areas were not primarily Arab-
an early appearance in Gilberts populated areas; it was these
narrative. areas that Churchill proposed to
carve out for the proposed Jewish
While serving in Cairo, he opened state, promised under the Balfour
a correspondence with Sharif Declaration.
Hussein of Mecca, who was then
the Custodian of the Holy Places The question that arose in my
* Prabhat P Shukla, Distinguished Fellow, VIF
59
mind when reading this was did Empire, as he claimed, it certainly
McMahon leave any private letters was his finest hour. In fact, his
about the Simla Conference and second term as Prime Minister,
the McMahon Line? I hope some after 1951, was quite
scholar will try and examine this unremarkable, even unsuccessful.
aspect, which may provide
valuable information for our Some of the facts in Gilberts book
boundary in the North. are well-known, though perhaps
Unfortunately, the British not so in India. We have shut out
Archives are among the most Israel from our public discourse
unfriendly to the user, and one is for so long that many of the crucial
hardly likely to find anything facts are not known, except among
useful online. some conspiracy-minded persons.
We learn that Churchill and
Anyhow, not to get ahead of Chaim Weizmann made each
ourselves: the book is about others acquaintance as early as
Churchills relationship with the 1905, when they shared a dais at a
Jews, primarily, of course, the public function. As Home
Jews of Britain, but also his Secretary, Churchill signed
approach to Zionism, to Weizmanns naturalisation papers.
Bolshevism, and to American And as First Lord of the
Jewry, with Zionism being the Admiralty, he asked for Weizmann
dominant narrative, the other two to help the Navy meet its
treated more summarily. These requirements of acetone, in order
also covered the big issues of the to manufacture cordite. The item
day, from the First World War to was in short supply and
the Second and a bit beyond. Weizmann, a chemist by training,
Churchill, of course, is a character had developed a method of
whose study is the study of the manufacturing it artificially.
great events of the first half of the
20th Century: from 1910, he was in The two men were early activists
Ministerial office almost without a in favour of a Jewish state in
break until 1929; and then, he was Palestine, and this was the basis
back in harness in 1939, as the of a long-term friendship, which
Second World War began, initially continued through the decades to
in the Admiralty, and then as when Churchill was Prime
Prime Minister. Whether or not Minister and Weizmann was
this was the finest hour of the President of the newly-formed
state of Israel. However, there is
60
only a sketchy treatment of the the Hejaz Railway should also
question of why the British made form the Jewish home, Churchill
the promise of a Jewish National was to boast later that he created
Home. Gilbert gives two reasons: Transjordan one afternoon in
one, to encourage Russian Jews to Jerusalem; in actual fact, he did
help Russia stay in the War; and it in Cairo.
two, to enlist more active
American support for the War But Churchill was quite clear that
effort. The first did not work, for the Negev was to belong to the
the Bolsheviks seized power five Jews. This is worth noting because
days after the Balfour Declaration. it was across the Negev that the
The second did work, though Germans, with enlisted Arab
Germany did its bit and more Bedouin levies, had tried during
to push the US into the War on the First World War to attack and
the side of the Entente. One of the occupy the Suez Canal, and so the
major developments that brought British wanted it to be secure for
the US into the War was the the future. At the same time, he
Zimmerman telegram, in which was clear that the Jewish home
the German Government promised would take generations to come
Mexico the southern states of into being and then too it would
Texas, New Mexico and Arizona in depend on the calibre of the
return for Mexico declaring war on Jewish leaders who would settle in
the US. Palestine and it would fail if
these leaders proved unworthy.
Inevitably, much of the book deals
with the question of Palestine and The official British position on the
the Jewish state. Once the question of a home for the Jews in
mandate for Palestine had been Palestine went through a process
given to the British, it was up to of steady erosion, both because of
Churchill, as Colonial Secretary, internal opposition, and because of
to set about fulfilling the promise the hostility of the Arabs.
of the Balfour Declaration. One of Chamberlain, of course, but
his first acts was to divide the several members of the House of
mandated territory into Lords, Gen Wavell, all were
Transjordan and the rest which opposed to Jewish immigration, as
then retained the name Palestine. were several of the British
Although Weizmann was keen representatives, civil and military,
that parts of Transjordan up to working in Palestine. On the Arab
side, the figure of Haj Amin al-
61
Husseini, who was appointed but also, later, to President
Mufti of Jerusalem by the self- Roosevelt. The latter was also
same British Mandate authorities more receptive to the views of ibn
in Palestine, emerges as one of the Saud. But what is startling is that
staunchest opponents of Jewish some segments of the Foreign
immigration and one who Office, and the local
demanded an Arab state in the administrative authorities, were
entire mandated territory. In later bypassing Churchill on major
years, when he was out of office issues. The decision to suspend
[but still an influential voice in Jewish immigration during the
British politics], Churchill would Second World War, for instance,
ask for al-Husseini to be arrested was taken without informing the
for fomenting anti-Jewish riots, Prime Minister. It was, no doubt,
using violence against him if with this experience in mind that
necessary. At this stage, that is, Churchill told his Cabinet
through the 1920s, Churchill was Secretary that when the War
also against any partitioning Office says it will carefully
further partitioning, to be more examine an issue, they mean
accurate of Palestine. they will do it in. This sheds
unusual light on a strong and
Churchills time as Prime Minister clear-headed Prime Minister and
was, of course, dominated by the war-time leader even he could
Second World War, and there were not entirely control the actions of
many urgent issues that he had to his subordinates.
deal with. But he did seek to
sideline al-Husseini and advise In the final countdown, Churchill
Weizmann that Saudi King ibn was a reluctant convert to the idea
Saud was the man to deal with. of partitioning Palestine, but he
This was quite a change for also recognised that the post-War
Churchill, who had established the Labour Government would not be
British commitment to the helpful to the Jews. He advised
Hashemites in the aftermath of the Jewish leaders that their best
the First World War. Easier said bet lay with the US. Sure enough,
than done of course ibn Saud the Labour Government informed
had been a resolute opponent of the UN of its intention to lay down
the Jewish National Home project, the mandate on 14 May 1948. It
and he was to express his strong was the support of the USSR and
objections not only to Churchill the US that finally saw the
62
successful vote in November 1947 tones. Churchill described the
in the UN General Assembly that greatness of the Jewish race, and
created the State of Israel. noted that Christianity itself owed
heavily to the Jews. But there was
The other, minor, narrative in the always good and evil in mankind,
book deals with the other side of and Bolshevism was the evil side
the Jewish activity in Europe It would almost seem as if the
during the First World War in gospel of Christ and the gospel of
the Russian Empire. Though it Antichrist were destined to
was the scene of regular pogroms originate among the same people
indeed the word pogrom is itself a and that this mystic and
Russian word the Jews were mysterious race had been chosen
divided on how to respond to the for the supreme manifestation,
opportunities presented by the both of the divine and the
First World War. A large number, diabolical. Not surprisingly, the
of course, fought with the Russian Jewish Chronicle took exception to
Army against the Germans and Churchills remarks, and made the
the Austrians, and gave a good point that these Bolshevik leaders
account of themselves. But the were all atheists, and could not
Germans were working with the possible be regarded as
Bolsheviks to destabilise the representatives of the Jews.
Russian Empire, and Churchill Nonetheless, at that time, it was
himself described the Bolsheviks widely felt that Zionism could be a
as a Jewish movement. His counter to Bolshevism, and that
reason for saying this was that was the belief Churchill was
Lenin was almost the only acting on. History has probably
member of the Central Committee validated this view.
who was not of Jewish origin.
Gilbert adds that, in fact, even The author spends even less time
Lenins paternal grandfather was on American Jewry, and few of the
a Jew. important leaders figure in the
book. The exception is Bernard
Churchill was at pains to explain Baruch, who was not a supporter
his stand on Bolshevism. Perhaps of Zionism. In fact, Churchill did
it is only the distance of time that tell Weizmann that there were
allows this whole issue to be many Jews in the US who did not
discussed with some degree of support a Jewish home in
openness in the Soviet Union, it Palestine. And yet, by 1845, he
was spoken of only in hushed
63
was advising the Jewish leaders in Gilbert also provides some very
Britain that their real hope lay in useful maps in the book, which the
enlisting American support. reader will have to search long
Against the run of events, this was and hard to find anywhere else.
forthcoming and, as mentioned All in all, a very enjoyable read,
already, the state of Israel became and a profitable one too.
a reality in the UN General
Assembly vote.
Back to Contents
64
EVENTS
Vimarsha on Transforming Centre-State

Relations
F
ormer Home Secretary Shri to have the features of a true
Dhirendra Singh delivered a federation.
talk on Transforming
Centre State Relations under the After much deliberation,
Vimarsha series at VIF on July 11, Dr.B.R.Ambedkar and his
2014. The session was presided colleagues in the Constituent
over by former Delhi Lt Governor Assembly, which drafted Indias
Shri Vijai Kapoor. Constitution, eventually
harmonized these diverse
In his opening remarks, Lt Gen R formulations and came up with a
K Sawhney, Distinguished Fellow, document that gave the states
VIF, recalled that the countrys considerable legislative and
leaders have had to grapple with executive powers, but vested the
the complex issue of Centre-State Centre with residual powers that
relations since the time of would enable it to step in during
independence. The issue figured emergencies like breakdown of
prominently in the debates in the constitutional machinery or when
Constituent Assembly which Indias unity and integrity was in
drafted our Constitution. The peril, he said.
Constitution-makers had to
contend with various formulations, The diverse electoral preferences
keeping in mind the socio-political of the people of the country, the
reality of India. There were those Sarkaria Commissions
who felt that given Indias recommendations and the critical
diversity, the Constitution must interventions of the Supreme
have a strong unitary tilt, as Court such as in the S R Bommai
otherwise it would be difficult to and B P Singhal cases have raised
hold the nation together. But, the prospects for a more
there were many others who felt harmonious relationship between
that the Constitution must respect the Centre and the States, which
this diversity and the fact that augurs well for the future, he said.
India had emerged following the
integration of many states. They In his presidential remarks, Shri
therefore wanted the Constitution Kapoor termed the period between
65
1966 and 72 as the crisis period in manner, he said.
Centre-State relations marked not Advocating collaborative
only by the Aya Ram Gaya Ram federalism, he lamented that there
phase of politics but also 27 were many states which were rich
notifications for Presidents rule in minerals yet were home to the
and confrontational role of some poorest of Indians. These people
state Governments. need to be compensated
adequately, he said.
He said the all India services were
meant to be building blocks to Shri Singh gave several
maintain Centre-State relations suggestions including
but there has been a discernible strengthening the Rajya Sabha or
change in the mindset of the all the Council of States entrusting it
India officers who felt that the with special responsibility in
balance of convenience lay in matters concerning the state and
aligning with the state revival of the Department of
Government. States under the Ministry of Home
Affairs as also reactivation of the
In his talk, Shri Dhirendra Singh Inter-state council and the zonal
pointed out that though the councils.
Constitution does not speak of
federalism, in the Keshavananda The talk was followed by an
Bharti case, the Supreme Court interactive session, in which the
had held that federalism is a basic distinguished audience actively
structure of the Indian participated.
Constitution.
Back to Contents
If we have to transform Centre-
State relations, we have to look at
the Constitution in a holistic
66
EVENTS
Discussion on Christine Fairs Book
A
merican scholar and War on Terror, Dr Fair
academic Dr C Christine highlighted that the use of Islamic
Fair presented her latest imagery, jihad and non-state
book Fighting to the end: The actors is as old as the state of
Pakistan Armys Way of War Pakistan. She dismissed the
before a distinguished gathering of widely held view that extremism is
scholars, soldiers and diplomats at the outcome of the Islamisation
the Vivekananda International policies of Gen Ziaul Haq and
Foundation on July 14, 2014. argued that the foundations for
this was laid during the Ayub era.
Dr Fair touched upon the main Strongly advocating a policy that
arguments she made in her raises the costs for Pakistan, she
brilliantly researched book, which said that the current US policy
set the stage for a very lively and actually encourages Pakistan to
engaging interaction between the continue with its duplicitous
author and the audience. policies. She sounded a reality
Persuasively arguing that check to her audience by pointing
Pakistan was not a security out the oft repeated mistake of
seeking state but a greedy state equating a whisky drinking and
which sought to acquire more debauchery loving Pakistani
territory not because it was general with liberal and secular
needed for its security but for values. But she admitted that she
ideological reasons, Dr Fair shot really admired the ability of
down the fallacious theory that Pakistanis to impress and
Pakistan's behaviour can be influence their interlocutors with
changed by making it feel more pleasant lies.
secure. She debunked Pakistan's
case on Kashmir and said that Back to Contents
Pakistanis keep parroting UN
resolutions and plebiscite without
ever having read these resolutions.
Exposing the duplicitous policy

that Pakistan has followed in the
67
EVENTS
Interaction with Ms. Kavita Kewal,
Department of Defence, Australia
M
s. Kavita Kewal, on the political change that has
Assistant Secretary, occurred in India and the
DOD, Australia along intention of Indian government to
with other officials visited VIF on shore up its defence capabilities.
22 July 2014 to interact with the He also spoke on the need to
VIF faculty on issues of mutual strengthen Indo-Australian
concern. Ms. Kavita Kewal defence relationship and the
explained Australian views on possibilities of military technical
regional security environment cooperation and joint ventures in
including Australias role in defence industries. Lt. Gen. Ravi
Americas pivot to Asia strategy. Sawhney, while speaking on
She also dwelt on the ongoing regional security environment,
process of formulating the Defence discussed the emerging situation
White Paper and Australias in Af-Pak belt and its implications
requirement of building up its for the region as well as for the
defence capabilities. She stressed international community.
on enhancing Indo-Australian
defence and security cooperation.
Gen (Retd.) NC Vij, Director, VIF Back to Contents

briefed the Australian delegation
68
EVENTS
Visit of Nepalese Delegation
A
five-member delegation Dhungana, warmly responded to
from Nepal Transition to and endorsed the sentiments
Peace-Institute (NTTP I) expressed by Gen. Vij and
visited the VIF on July 24, 2014 proceeded to give a detailed
for interaction on a variety of assessment of the situation
issues of mutual interest. The obtaining in Nepal with special
delegation was led by former reference to the constitution
Speaker of the Nepalese drafting exercise undertaken by
Parliament Mr. Daman Nath the 2nd Constituent Assembly.
Dhungana, Senior Facilitator and They expressed confidence that
Chairman of the Institute and the constitution drafting work was
included, among others, on course and that the main
distinguished personalities such sticking issues such as federalism
as Mr. Padma Ratan Tuladhar and ideological differences will
and Mr. Vidyadhar Mallik, both also get resolved.
former ministers. The VIF
delegation was led by the Director, The visiting delegation expressed
Gen (Retd) N C Vij and included very positive sentiments over the
Mr. C D Sahay, Lt.Gen (Retd) new Indian Governments initial
Ravi Sawhney and others. moves in not only extending
invitation to the leaders of the
Extending a warm welcome to the neighboring countries to the
visiting delegates, the Director swearing in ceremony of the Modi-
VIF recalled the long traditional cabinet but also to the visit of the
ties of history and culture between Indian Foreign Minister to
the peoples of Nepal and India Kathmandu. They expressed the
that has withstood the test of view that the upcoming visit of
time. He also recalled the Prime Minister Modi to Nepal
extremely constructive discussions next month would mark the
that were held during the earlier beginning of a new era of Indo-
visit of the NTTP-I delegation to Nepal cooperation, particularly in
the VIF in August 2012. Nepals quest for economic revival.
In their opening remarks, Mr. Nepal Transition to Peace-

Tuladhar and later Mr. Institute (NTTP) is a national
69
entity that supports Nepal's peace Reconstruction and political
process by providing dialogue, parties to build their capacity to
mediation and facilitation engage in the peace process, create
services. Prior to being registered an inclusive multi-party dialogue
as an independent peace institute to address all stakeholders'
under the Home Ministry in May concerns, and institutionalize
2014, NTTP was run as a national national transitional peace
peace support program designed in structures.
consultation with the Government
of Nepal, its Ministry of Peace and Back to Contents
70
EVENTS
Seminar on West Asia
V
IF organized a seminar on was chaired by Ambassador RS
Recent Developments in Kalha and had two speakers on
West Asia: Challenges and the panel Ambassador Sanjay
Implications on July 25, 2014 to Singh and Ms Shebonti Dadwal.
analyse the situation in the strife- While the former spoke about the
torn area and its broader threat to peace and security and
ramifications for the region and the role of regional and
India. The seminar, inter alia, international players, the latter
focused on the sectarian violence discussed the energy situation and
in West Asia - its causes and its implications, especially in the
spread, the regional security context of India. The evolving
environment, the emergence of situation in Iraq and its
Islamic State of Syria and Iraq implications for India however
(ISIS), the external influences on came up for even closer
the West Asian conflicts, the examination during the second
process of Arab Islamisation, session. The second session, which
Indias energy security and the included three panelists Dr. Ajai
safety of Indian workers in the Sahni, Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata
region, the possible impact of Hasnain and Ambassador Arvind
violence on Indias internal Gupta, was chaired by
security dynamic, and the Ambassador Satyabrata. The
diplomatic challenges facing India panelists shared their perspectives
on the West Asian front. respectively on international
terrorism, faith and sectarian
Shri Ajit Doval KC, Indias new dimensions of the conflict and its
National Security Advisor (NSA) impact on India and the possible
and the erstwhile Director of the future scenario for Iraq and Syria.
Foundation delivered the keynote Ambassador Kanwal Sibal, former
address, sharing his perspective Foreign Secretary, summed up the
on the prevailing situation in Iraq proceedings of the event.
and other parts of the region.
Back to Contents
The first session gave an overview
of Recent Developments in West
Asia: Challenges and Prospects. It
71
EVENTS
Interaction with Dr Moeed Yusuf
D
r Moeed Yusuf, Director, Pakistan and the prospects for
South Asia Program at the normalization of ties. He spoke
United States Institute of about the challenge posed by
Peace, visited VIF on August 6, terrorism to Pakistan and the
2014 for an interaction with the state of civil-military relations in
VIF faculty. that country.
In a frank and candid exchange of Back to Contents

views, Dr Yusuf presented his
assessment of the current state of
relations between India and
72
EVENTS
Talk By Amb Hussain Haqqani
P
akistan's former ideological twist that had to be
Ambassador to USA, protected at all cost. According to
Hussain Haqqani, delivered Amb. Haqqani, Pakistan has
a talk on Pakistan: Democracy, constantly and consciously
Modernism, Jihad before a cultivated a sense of insecurity
distinguished gathering at among the people, and this has
Vivekananda International fostered an ideological baggage on
Foundation on August 13, 2014. the Pakistan Army which it finds
Ambassador Haqqani who is impossible to shed.
currently the Director, South and
Central Asia, at the Hudson A lively discussion followed Amb.
Institute in Washington, said that Haqqanis brilliant exposition of
Pakistan's foreign policy is a political and security challenges
function of the state of insecurity that Pakistan faces as a result of
whose roots can be traced back to its ideological orientation. He also
the origins of the demand for highlighted the threat that
Pakistan and the worldview of the international jihadist movements
leaders of the Muslim League. like ISIS pose to the subcontinent
From Islam in danger being the especially given the attraction of
rallying cry for mobilising support the idea of a caliphate for the
for the demand for Pakistan, to subcontinental Muslim.
Pakistan in danger once the
demand was fulfilled was a
natural progression. This was
Back to Contents
further buttressed by giving it an
73

Vivek Issues N Otions July August 2014

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Contents

NATION Cleaning the Ganga: Need for a New

DEBATE BOOK REVIEW

Do keep us posted with your invaluable inputs.

- Brig (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal

* Brig (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal, Visiting Fellow, VIF

Why Muslim Clerics Oppose Madrasa

Defence Deals with US

Will President Xi Jinpings Visit change the

T he coming visit of President Xi

The Gujrat Model of Development: Can it

Begin, be bold and venture to be wise - Horace

Cause for a Mountain Strike modernisation, is no more able to

The decade past has found that Offensive-in-Defence

Regulatory Impact Analysis An

The above processes, despite

Cleaning the Ganga: Need for a New

* Dr M N Buch, Dean, Centre for Governance and Political Studies, VIF

Churchill and the Jews

Understanding Churchills Relationship with the Jews

Vimarsha on Transforming Centre-State

Exposing the duplicitous policy

Gen (Retd.) NC Vij, Director, VIF Back to Contents

In their opening remarks, Mr. Nepal Transition to Peace-

Seminar on West Asia

Interaction with Dr Moeed Yusuf

In a frank and candid exchange of Back to Contents

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