Afghan situation forced every country to rethink strategies: Rajnath


Wellington (Tamil Nadu), Aug 29 (IANS): The ongoing situation in Afghanistan has forced the entire world to rethink their strategies, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday.

With the fundamentalist Islamist group Taliban taking over Kabul on August 15, Afghanistan has plunged into a humanitarian crisis. Pakistan is seen as having played a major role in bringing Taliban back to power.

In an address at the Defence Service Staff College, Rajnath Singh said: "With the change in the global order and national security paradigm, we have not only made immediate change in our policies but also taken decision on our futuristic reforms."

He noted that looking at the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, every country is forced to rethink its strategy. "Quad was established keeping in mind these situations," he said. Quad, or officially the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, brings together the US, Australia, India, and Japan.

Citing the threats from China and Pakistan, he said that India has got challenges in legacy since Independence.

About Pakistan, without naming it, he said: "The foreign enemies have tried to destabilise the country since it got Independence. If we look at 75 years of history, it seems like we have got challenges in legacy. One of our neighbouring countries initiated proxy war and made terrorism as an integral part of state policy. The country started providing arms, money and training to the terrorists to target India."

About China, he said that that in the northern sector, there was an effort to change the status quo unilaterally, but India changed its previous response and faced the adversary with new dynamism.

"Even after lots of challenges on our borders, the common man has faith in the government that it would never compromise on national security issue. They know that India will counter terror activities on its land and if needed, it can also cross the boundary," he said.

Amid change in the global order necessitating futuristic reforms, Rajnath Singh said that the objective is to enhance the Army's teeth to tail ratio, bring decentralisation in decision-making process, and make a future-oriented leaner force.

About Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs), he said that his ministry is seriously considering it. "You all are aware, quick decision-making is an important factor during wartime. There would be more lethal, brigade-size and self-reliant fighters formation."

He also lauded 'Tour of Duty' proposal and termed it as a game-changing reform. "With this, the average age could be reduced and be made more agile."

On theatre commands, the Defence Minister said the discussions on its implementation have been fast tracked.

The Department of Military Affairs under Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat is working towards the creation of Joint Military Commands for better synergy and utilisation of resources.

The minister also talked about increasing women's role in the defence forces. "History tells us that our women warriors have always played an important role when faced with any challenges," he said.

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Jossey Saldanha, Thane

    Mon, Aug 30 2021

    Even Hindus in Afghanistan are refusing to come back to India ...

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Raj, Mangalore

    Sun, Aug 29 2021

    Afghan forced India to rethink follow the US strategy. Taliban takeover of Afghanistan dealt a body blow to India's interests in Afghanistan. India being India nobody will suffer the consequences for making bad policy decisions.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Wilfred J. Lewis, Matpady-Brahmavar/ New York, USA

    Sun, Aug 29 2021

    From USA President Jimmy Carter's Biography... After winning the Indian Elections, I called Mrs. Indira Gandhi to congratulate her and asked her help in two international issues. First one , US hostages' in Iran, About Iran hostages her response was polite says President carter. Second Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. Mrs. Indira Gandhi was evasive in her answer to me, says President Carter in his biography. After two weeks of my conversation with Mrs. Gandhi, I got a call from US representative at the United Nations (New York). US representative informed Mr. carter that India (Indira Gandhi's India/ Congres party) supported soviet Invasion of Afghanistan more voice fully than any European Eastern Bloc Countries (Soviet Union Allies of Europe). History has clearly shown that Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Congres party support of Soviet Invasion hurt Indian foreign policy for more than four decades...

    DisAgree [5] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Veer, Nagpur

    Sun, Aug 29 2021

    FYI, those were Soviet era days and US was with Pakistan and supporting Pakistan’s Kashmir claim so naturally India was with USSR. So USSR invasion of Afghanistan would put more strain on Pakistan’s on Kashmir claim which was a good move by India Gandhi at that time. India and Pakistan were always been in fight to control Afghanistan which would give upper hand in controlling Kashmir. Now Pakistan doesn’t have to watch its back to get sandwiched and squeezed between India and Afghanistan as now Taliban are ruling who are Pakistan’s ally.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Veer, Nagpur

    Sun, Aug 29 2021

    After 2014 even Indians are going through the same phase as every country.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Thane

    Sun, Aug 29 2021

    Rajnath Singh what is your Strategy ...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse


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