- The eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation between the Indian and Chinese military personnel in the Galway Valley along the eastern border’s line of actual control continues even after almost four years. The military and diplomatic talks between the two countries have hardly yielded any tangible results despite several rounds. Going by the indications available, there appears to be no way that both countries will yield from their stated positions on the matter. The mundane statements like the two countries are working out ways and means to address this thorny issue remain just that, mere proclamations. Even the top leadership of both countries has expressed the desire to address the situation to improve the stalled bilateral relationship. But just that!
PC: Times of India
- No concrete action from the forward areas means the status quo is maintained. It must be mentioned here that the Indian government over the last few years has heavily invested in sprucing up the armed forces vis-à-vis inventory of various categories to ensure the three wings are well prepared to face any eventualities. Our defense budget has steadily risen but not dramatically as is the case with the most advanced countries, including China. Some of the most relevant military reforms are yet to see the day of light. One such reform is the establishment of joint theatre commands for the three services viz. the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force. Of course, the BJP’s manifesto promises it. But the moot point to ponder over here is will the establishment of the same be prioritized to ensure integration of the fighting forces.
- Notably, China recently undertook another major military reorganization by dissolving PLA’s Strategic Support Force (SSF) and replacing it with an Information Support Force for better oversight over cyber, space, and tech-driven operations. SSF was created in 2015 as a new branch of PLA alongside PLA’s theaterisation exercise that saw seven previous military regions refashioned into five theatre commands. India, however, has been taking baby steps in the theaterisation process. While BJP’s 2024 Lok Sabha election manifesto promises the implementation of joint theatre commands, this comes more than two decades after the Kargil Review Committee submitted its report expressing dissatisfaction with the military structure.
PC: The Telegraph
- Yes, we now have a Chief of Defence Staff to serve as a single point of military advice for the govt. But bringing Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel and assets together under joint commands remains a challenge. India currently has 17 single-service commands. In case of conflict with China, New Delhi must mobilize at least seven service commands to Beijing’s one joint Western command. However, discussions around India’s theaterisation have been plagued by questions about who controls assets that were previously assigned to individual services, and command over personnel. Add to this off-record admissions of inter and intra-services rivalries. China has raced ahead. India must quickly flatten its military structure and create joint theatre commands now.
