#SecurityScan 13: Last salute to Army Assault Dog 'Zoom', DefExpo 2022, India’s New National Logistics Policy and more
Threat to India"s security a multi domain ,multifarious and only a United India with vigilant citizens who become eyes and years of the security forces can guard India"s security effectively.
NewsBharati 15-Oct-2022 17:11:57 PM
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This article is a summary of important events that have taken place in last one week affecting, India's national security. Attempt has also been made to analyze these events and recommend certain specific actions that can be undertaken by us.
INTERNAL SECURITY
A MiG 29K on Wednesday crashed over the sea off Goa after it developed a technical malfunction, while returning to base. The pilot ejected safely and has been recovered in a search and rescue operation. The pilot is in stable condition.
The Indian Armys assault dog, Zoom, sustained grave injuries while fighting off terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, died while undergoing treatment at the Army Veterinary Hospital in Srinagar.The assault dog was a part of combat team and was stationed in Kashmirs Anantnag. Two terrorists were killed in this encounter and one army soldier injured.
Army Day parade will be held in Bengaluru on January 15 next year. This is as part of initiatives to hold major events outside Delhi.
ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY
With no let-up in stubble burning incidents in Punjab, the hopes of the people in the region of getting cleaner air this coming winter have, again, been belied. The burning of paddy straw to clear the fields after the harvest is a major factor contributing to the alarming spike in air pollution levels in the state and the NCR in October and November.
The efforts of the AAP governments in Punjab and Delhi to convince farmers and provide them with viable alternatives or incentives for the crucial shift have once more not been fruitful.
The toxic fumes that remain suspended in the air after stubble is burnt, not only adversely impact the health of millions of people who are left gasping for clean air but also cause incalculable damage to the environment and agricultural fields.
Diaspora Security
301 hate crimes against Sikhs were reported in UK this year; 169 per cent rise as compared to crimes against other faiths.
Proactive Foreign Policy
Referring to the unchecked Khalistani separatist activities in Canada, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said it is incumbent upon Canada to ensure that freedoms in a democratic society are not misused by forces which actually advocate violence and bigotry.
“It’s important for countries to understand today really how democracies should function not only at home, but also the responsibilities the democracies have to other democracies abroad,” said Jaishankar at a joint press conference with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra.
Jaishankar’s tough talk on open anti-India separatist activity in Western countries follows an equally strong message by MEA, who had recalled the bombing of Air India‘s Kanishka aircraft against the backdrop of the banned Sikhs for Justice preparing for a second “Referendum” on Khalistan in Toronto on November 6.
Job / Cyber Security
The rescue of 32 Indian nationals from a remote part of Myanmar last month had prompted an advisory by the MEA. A warning was issued against falling for high-paying international job offers floated on social media by dubious IT firms. Another batch of 13 was freed from the captors last week. They, too, were being forced to engage, under harsh conditions, in digital scamming and forged crypto activities. Many more are still believed to be trapped.
The MEA’s has spared no effort in coming to their aid. There is a dire need to increase public awareness of the modus operandi.Trapped by cyber-criminal syndicates, with a Chinese link, the recruits face beatings and are deprived of food if they resist indulging in online fraud. Victims of the scam, mainly in the US and Canada, have lost huge amounts after being lured into depositing money on fake platforms.
A legal action against job agents involved in the racket in India is required.The investigating agencies should prioritise investigating cyber crimes and be provided with the resources that will enable them to be a step ahead of the new-age criminals.
Five Terror-Modules Busted In Last 10 Days: Punjab Police
The Central agencies, Punjab Police and Maharashtra ATS on Thursday nabbed the suspect in the Mohali RPG attack case from Mumbai. Charat Singh did a recce before the May 9 attack and was instrumental in providing logistical support and arranging RPG and an AK-47 rifle.
Three more members of the module were arrested with a fresh cache of sophisticated arms and ammunition from their possession, including 17 pistols and one MP-4 rifle besides Rs 1.01 crore in cash and 500-gram heroin. On October 9, a Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) module being operated by Germany-based Gurmeet Singh, alias Bagga, was busted with the arrest of its five members for arranging smuggled weapons and providing logistic support. Police also recovered two 9mm foreign made pistols and one .32 bore pistol.
India's New Weapons Systems Branch(WSB) is Special
The WSB will bring different weapons systems operators under one entity. It will streamline the operational employment of all specialist airborne and ground-based weapons systems. India's armed forces are set to get a major operational boost following the approval to set up a separate service —WSB for the officers of the IAF.This is the first time since Independence that a new operational branch is being set up. The new branch will essentially "man the specialised streams of surface- to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, remotely piloted aircraft, and weapon system operators in twin and multi-crew aircraft."
The emergence of drones & swarm drones, hypersonic weapons, and space-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) system has added a whole new dimension to war fighting. In this respect, the WSB is expected to help the forces establish dominance across multiple domains.
Flying training entails major expenses. So basically, the current system leads to significant wastage of resources as personnel trained for flying are used for a task where flying training is not even needed.As per current calculations, the new system is likely to help save more than Rs 3,400 crore on account of reduced cost on flying training.
India’s New National Logistics Policy
The Union Government released the National Logistics Policy which seeks to reduce logistics costs and make India a manufacturing powerhouse and a regional logistics hub.
A decade ago, the state of India’s transport and logistics was abysmal. The movement of goods within the country was an arduous and expensive affair. Serpentine queues at interstate borders, random documentation checks, multiple regulatory checkpoints, tax compliance issues and poor infrastructure meant that India’s trucks had one of the lowest average speeds (20-40 kmph) and lowest distance covered in a day (250-400 km), compared to developed countries (60-80 kmph and 700-800 km per day, respectively). It also meant that Indian trucks spent about 60% of their time on the roads. Moreover, the logistics sector was a complex beast, with more than 20 government agencies, 40 partner government agencies, 37 export promotion councils and 500 certifications. All these factors combined made the cost of logistics in India much higher than most of our big trading partners.
While the scale and ambition of the policy are impressive, much depends on the implementation. Some of the digital innovations and systems can help in better coordination among different departments and modes of transport, the biggest challenge will be a physical one. In India, transport sector is heavily focused on roadways, which carry more than 60% of freight.
The National Logistics Policy can lead to greater integration of India into global value chains, higher share in international trade, higher employment, and accelerated economic growth. In countries that handle as much cargo as India, most of it is moved through high-speed rail networks, which are quicker, cheaper, and have a far lower environmental footprint than other options. While the construction of highways may be breaking records, similar record breaking must commence in railways, coastal shipping and inland waterways.
Deaths Due To Adulterated Cough Syrup Manufactured In India
The deaths of 66 children in The Gambia due to an adulterated cough syrup manufactured in India has focused attention on the country’s dysfunctional drug regulatory system. The company that allegedly manufactured the drug has a sordid history of being hauled up by different regulators in India and other countries. Yet, the company never lost its manufacturing licence, issued by the state drug controller with jurisdiction over manufacturing facilities.
The failure of Indian companies to follow Good Manufacturing Practices is shocking. Why do countries such as Zambia purchase drugs from a company with a poor track record? This may be because India does not have a consolidated public database that records the transgressions of each company licensed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
A consolidated public database has to be built so that quality can be controlled.
Def Expo 2022 Important Chapter In Indigenous Defence Manufacturing In India
The theme of Def Expo 2022 is ‘Path to Pride’ and in semblance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to transform India into a strong and self-reliant nation by supporting, showcasing and forging partnerships for the Indian Aerospace and Defence manufacturing sectors with Indian as well as global customers.
The 12th edition of Defence Expo is scheduled to be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat between Oct 18 - 22, to push India to join the Aerospace and Defence manufacturing sector, which in turn will enhance ‘Atmanirbharta’ in Defence.
The forthcoming edition is the first-ever edition exclusively for Indian companies, Indian subsidiaries of Foreign OEMs (Original Equipment Managers), Division of company registered in India, Exhibitor having Joint Venture with an Indian company will be considered as Indian participants.
EXTERNAL SECURITY
India’s G20 Presidency & Preventing Climate Disasters
The G20 countries make up two-thirds of the world population and 80% of the global GDP. During its upcoming G20 presidency, India has an opportunity to implement measures to combat climate change.
Existing climate change commitments by G20 are not enough to prevent the catastrophic climate effects. It is now India’s opportunity to make climate change a centre stage of G20’s agenda following the “Common But Differentiated Responsibilities” approach. There are issues surrounding food security, livelihoods and extreme weather events.
There is an imperative need for not only immediate climate action but also for climate justice. India can be the voice of unheard because currently it is in the developed world where the decisions are taken for the poor.
Comprehensive National Security Strategy
The Biden administration published its new National Security Strategy (NSS) for the US that clearly defines China as the main systemic challenge, identifies Russia as an immediate threat and again highlights a coming global struggle between democracies and autocracies. The document helps reiterate the US position in a complex geopolitical environment.
Every new American administration is required to publish an NSS by law. Most big countries also put out their version of the document. China has its defence white papers, the UK has brought out an Integrated Review 2021, and France has its Strategic Update. Even Pakistan brought out one earlier this year. But India doesn’t publish such document . This must be published.
A comprehensive NSS that addresses both internal and external security challenges, economic and technological priorities, and regional and global opportunities, will help India to face these threats in a comprehensive manner.
The crisis engendered by the Ukraine war illustrates this vividly, Weaponisation of global trade for critical semiconductors. India has done well in creating a domestic semiconductor ecosystem and domestic pharmaceutical APIs.
Security of vital supply chains, cyber and energy security, space and maritime domains, and economic growth are all crucial components of an NSS.
India must publish comprehensive NSS.The NSS could have a classified part for the sake of strategic elbow room for India.
Opportunity To Increase Strategic, Economic Technological Cooperation With USA
The US National Security Strategy, released just ahead of the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party that starts on Sunday, provides a clear articulation for the US - and all democracies - the major challenge to national and strategic security comes from China'.
China is not shy of brandishing its growing arsenal, and the stockpile that is growing. China's coercive behavior poses a longer-standing challenge. USA has made it clear it will work with allies to counter China.
This provides opportunities for a stronger partnership between the US and India . The geopolitics is in India’s favour. India must sieze this opportunity to increase strategic,economic and technological cooperation with USA further.
COUNTERING CHINA PAKISTAN HYBRID WAR
China’s Party Congress Needs To be Watched
A five-yearly meeting of the Communist Party of China will convene on October 16.President Xi Jinping has been trying to assert his leadership of China but protests against him only seems to increase.
Tough week lies ahead for President Xi Jinping. We can only wait and watch.
Failed State Pakistan
Baloch National Movement Germany has organised a protest in Germany against the enforced disappearances of Baloch people... Asghar Ali, the President of the BNM Germany Chapter while speaking to the participants said that in the last two decade thousands of Baloch nationals have disappeared.
Pakistan-Based Drug Lord Under Scanner For 'Trying To Revive LTTE In Lanka
Salim's name first surfaced during investigations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in July this year when the agency said that Salim, along with Sri Lankan drug mafia C Gunashekharan alias Guna and Pushparajah alias Pookutti Kanna, were pushing illegal drugs and arms into India using the sea route for the revival of LTTE.
Drug terrorism has to be stopped at all costs.
Other Important Happenings In Brief Without Comments
Russia has depleted a significant proportion of its precision-guided ammunition in its invasion of Ukraine and its industry cannot produce all kinds of ammunition and weapon systems due to Western sanctions, a senior NATO official said on Wednesday.
No body knows how long it would take for Russia to mobilise the 300,000 troops Moscow is aiming for, and suggested it could take a few months.
Threat to India's security a multi domain ,multifarious and only a United India with vigilant citizens who become eyes and years of the security forces can guard India's security effectively.
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BRIG Hemant Mahajan
Passionate writer on National Security related issues, Brig Hemant Mahajan YSM (Retd) is M Sc, M Phil in Defence Studies. He joined IMA Dehradun in July 1973 and passed out as a Commissioned Officer on 15 June 1975. He was commissioned into 7 MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY. He has served extensively in Counter Insurgency Operations in Insurgency and Terrorist prone areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and North East and has taken part in all important operations undertaken by the Army since 1975.
Brig Hemant Mahajan served in Jammu & Kashmir, in the deserts of Rajasthan, in Super High Altitude areas of Kargil and Leh, forward areas of Arunachal Pradesh. He was deployed in Punjab in ‘Operation Avert’. He was also involved in maintaining peace post ‘Operation Bluestar’ days in Punjab in the worst affected district of Gurdaspur, Taran Taran and Amritsar.He served in the areas of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Siliguri and Sikkim. He commanded his battalion 7 MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY in Operation Rakshak in the most difficult areas of Poonch and Rajouri during the times of highest militancy. His unit was responsible for stopping terrorists from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir. His unit was awarded Unit Citation, 18 gallantry awards including YSM (gallantry) for the officer.