Comment & Briefs

India’s decision to ally with America would be contingent upon the degree of convergence between their positions on core issues and the extent of military assistance needed in a two-front war scenario.

While the scope of responsibility of the CDS is being worked out, it would be instructive to see what changes could be implemented immediately within the current organisational structures through greater jointness, before getting into the gamut of full integration which should be the logical end state.

The Annual Joint HADR exercises, conducted by Indian Navy, help in proactively preparing participating nations with tools for developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), streamlining interoperability and practicing procedures for collaborative participation when necessary.

The agile acquisition or C2D2 model currently under adoption by the US for its F-35 aircraft is likely to become a necessity for acquisitions in future, as disruptive defence technologies will continue to affect military systems across the world.

Facebook's recent proposal for a stable global cryptocurrency on social media platform has led many to anticipate its positive impact on the global economic system. However, privacy concerns and Libra's planned decentralised approach have raised apprehensions among the regulators around the world.

Even if the Fifteenth Finance Commission manages to make a specific recommendation about the funds to be allocated for defence and internal security and the government accepts the recommendation, there can be no guarantee that the actual allocation will not fall short of the accepted level.

While the OIC is critical of India, it remains wary of treading on China’s toes when it comes to civil and religious rights of the Uyghur Muslims. The OIC reports also turn a Nelson’s eye to Pakistan’s treatment of its own ethnic Muslim minorities. The OIC has disregarded the fact that India is a democratic and secular country, where every citizen is free to practice one’s religion.

The vulnerability of soldiers to exaggerated, motivated and false FIRs is fundamentally a result of the State preferring to deal with legal issues in disturbed areas within the framework of a law and order problem.

While Japan envisions its role as a leading promoter of rules-based liberal international order, the G20 tested Japan’s leadership in championing the cause of trade liberalisation and resisting protectionism.

It would be nice to see the defence ministry setting up a task force and submitting actionable recommendations which could be considered by the finance minister while deciding the defence outlay next year.