tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post804149758299531349..comments2024-03-28T05:22:10.255-07:00Comments on Broadsword by Ajai Shukla - Strategy. Economics. Defence.: Now, announce the tri-service chiefBroadswordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13076780076240598482noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-91847202362966535852016-12-25T04:29:14.146-08:002016-12-25T04:29:14.146-08:00An interesting article in 'The Wire' on &#...An interesting article in 'The Wire' on 'Why the seniority principle for promotion to Chief'. Here - https://thewire.in/89156/invention-seniority-principle/. My comments there as follows - 'Surely, the best man must be made the Chief. But what is the criterion? At least, seniority is a criterion. What does the RM know about the capabilities of the Army Cdrs, so as to pick one and drop the senior ones. There is no criterion for being the RM itself. All that he is known to possess, for sure, is that people in his limited constituency favour him over others, and the PM likes him (who himself has no criterion, as the RM)'.<br />That brings me to a point I have raised with PMO - All functionaries of any ministry have some definite qualifications and laid down selection system. They're in that position as a result of 'some system' however poor.<br />How can we then have a minister who can override them all, with the only qualification ( and therefore definite skill ) of being more popular than some others. As an MP, it is OK. But to also be a minister, some qualifications (and tests) MUST be laid down, even if they relate to decision making ability or other behavioural traits.<br />What's wrong with my logic, other than 'Bah, it can't happen!'Alok Asthanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05362507906160748320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-30232427887458496472016-12-23T02:49:17.146-08:002016-12-23T02:49:17.146-08:00I have a feeling that Modi/Dovval is trying to emu...I have a feeling that Modi/Dovval is trying to emulate what is/used to happen in Pakistan. The NSA holds Pakistanis in high regard, having seen them up close. But they are going about it the wrong way. The Pakistani will pick anyone of the top 2-5 Lt. gen with a clearly defined criteria. Their last guy was from Training and so is their new guy. Their COAS's have been impressive compared to IA guys because they constantly have to compete and no one is seen as the heir apparent until 2 weeks to go. <br /><br />Rajen Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-76162821633440203622016-12-22T17:34:52.178-08:002016-12-22T17:34:52.178-08:00Agree with Alok Asthana.If the superceeded Lt Gens...Agree with Alok Asthana.If the superceeded Lt Gens were not found fit to be COAS how can they be even considered fit for higher appts of Tri service chiefs!! Calls for another deep selection to find a suitable 3 star offr, with merit & not seniority being the criteria.They may even go in for a retired meritorious offr as the first CDS to overcome the seniority problem. AShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07544198969337130045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-55403464842448927072016-12-22T00:16:28.624-08:002016-12-22T00:16:28.624-08:00@Manne - Sorry. I meant 'fits the bill'. T...@Manne - Sorry. I meant 'fits the bill'. Thanks. And why do you believe this RM will understand what the chiefs say? When I see him saying, 'We'll gouge out the eyes of anyone who looks at India with evil eyes', I can understand his level of thinking. Is apparent from his several other acts and statements too.<br />@Ajai Shukla - Sorry for double posting. After posting, I got a delivery notification message and hence so. Am still getting that message each time I post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-72961903648607330092016-12-21T22:11:46.077-08:002016-12-21T22:11:46.077-08:00This govt has no moral right to announce a tri-ser...This govt has no moral right to announce a tri-service chief. They've rejected two eligible Lt Gens of army from post of COAS only because these two do not know all about Kashmir. So, the govt expects all Chiefs to be master of all that is today's rage. That must apply to a tri-services chief too. And, you just can't get a man in uniform today who has handled all the hot desks of army, navy and air force, as of today. The MOD and these ministers can't think ahead of the tip of their noses, can they?Alok Asthanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05362507906160748320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-52610699203195366892016-12-21T15:49:51.786-08:002016-12-21T15:49:51.786-08:00Is this asking for too much from this government s...Is this asking for too much from this government so quickly. Congress did nothing even though they were in power for 10 years.<br />Then bureaucracy played mischief in committees that were defining CDS role.<br />Service chiefs &'CDS should not be like our Chief Justice appointment , very few months or max 1-2 years a new guy comes in , promises moon & goes out.<br />We need to have a service chiefs & CDS who will retire at or before completing 62 after competing minimum 3 year term at the minimum. This will ensure continuity of leadership.<br /><br />This means we need to look at service chiefs who are appointed at 58-59 years maximum. <br />If we need to have colonel at about 35-37 year band , this is not impossible. <br />I do not see such calculation from your end. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-51701638101077552242016-12-21T04:53:44.720-08:002016-12-21T04:53:44.720-08:00Surely you can't position Bakshi as tri servic...Surely you can't position Bakshi as tri services chief now, or anyone else for that matter. The govt that maintains that Bakshi and the other guy (Southern Army) are not fit as Army Chief since they do not have adequate 'Kashmir' experience, can't surely post them in any tri-service job, since they lack 'Kashmir' experience', as well as navy and air force experience. By this stupid logic, Govt has locked itself out of anyone being found suitable for tri-services jobs, since no one has experience in all three services and that too, in all specializations of each service! Didn't think ahead of their noses, did they?Alok Asthanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05362507906160748320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-6256896002198616402016-12-21T02:19:18.405-08:002016-12-21T02:19:18.405-08:00My take is that GoI tried to arrive at CDS but rea...My take is that GoI tried to arrive at CDS but realised it will take longer and went ahead with just the COAS announcement. The delay probably came from there. The other possibility is there was genuine confusion in selecting one from the three.<br /><br />The way things are going, I think CDS will happen sooner than believed.<br /><br />@Alok - fits the bill you mean? And why do you believe current RM does not know what the three chiefs are talking about.<br /><br />- ManneMannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-33041877777605166322016-12-21T00:12:13.780-08:002016-12-21T00:12:13.780-08:00The only guy who foots the bill for CDS now is the...The only guy who foots the bill for CDS now is the naval chief. Surely, you can't have a CDS who hasn't seen the pains of a Chief for at least a year? And, the naval chief will be the wrong choice as India's battles will almost always be army predominant, with navy and air force in supportive role. Of course, it also depends on what charter of duties are laid down for the CDS. In most scenarios, a CDS would be a waste or even an handicap. At some point in the hierarchical pyramid, the advice of the service chiefs will have to be interpreted and evaluated by some civilian. That point is effectively the RM. Why not have an RM who knows what the three chiefs are talking about? This one surely doesn't.Alok Asthanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05362507906160748320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-33444716673248070172016-12-20T21:11:57.201-08:002016-12-20T21:11:57.201-08:00NSR says ---
It is high time for India to have a ...NSR says ---<br /><br />It is high time for India to have a unified commander with teeth and claws in the form of CDS or JCS to unify, plan, execute, collate intelligence and take action, referee on allocation and/or prioritize the resources and acquisitions, a single source to brief DM and PM, work with NSA, etc<br /><br /><br />Remember Kargil...<br />A CDS or JCS would have instantly assessed and acted with full force before the Pakistanis got entrenched...<br />Too much disagreement and procrastination lost the chance to get our own heights and occumpy some of their in J&K LOC area,, like Pir Panjal...<br />ACDS or JCS could have made counter attacks to regain initiative, recover lost areas, and possibly gaining some additional strategic peaks...<br /><br />Go forward and announce immediately...<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com