"You have been calling me a Dictator when I was not. Now I am" -- Indira Gandhi on July 22, 1975 ::::: As we come to end of 2025 --- we also note this marks end of 50 year plus since Emergency and 54 years since creation of Bangladesh

The Paradox of Democracy !!

 On July 22, 1975 - Indira Gandhi obliged her critics. But as a consummate politician by then; she knew the art of doing so. Hardly a month after imposition of Emergency; she told Parliament --- 

"You have been calling me a Dictator when I was not. Now I am". 

Notably, the story with 'dictator' quote was filed by Press Trust of India (PTI) diligently ... but within five minutes the official Censor killed the story. 

Within minutes .... PTI sent a 'kill kill' note around India to all its subscribers on teleprinters, recalls an agency old timer  R C Rajamani.

Recalling about Emergency; Rajamani (blogger's Guru in more ways than one) --- once said:  "Every darker moment has its lighter moment too ... Emergency was a period when an atmosphere of cloak-and-dagger persisted." 

However, he would explain that ... Journalists were also targets of punitive action. But, Rajamani said -- "Journalists targeted Netas and authorities making them the butt of their jokes and sarcasm". 

There were some illustrations. Four news agencies - PTI, PTI Bhasha (Hindi), UNI and UNI-varta (Hindi) were merged and brought under conglomerate Samachar. 

Mayur Vihar's Samachar Apartment in East Delhi is a testimony of that era and especially of that name. Original flat owners were young staffers in news agencies and other media outlets then.  But after Emergency was imposed; in early 1976 the four news agencies were merged and Samachar was created. Of course - the 'independence' of journalism was gone. 

Samachar started functioning like an official organisation and was often compared with Russian (Soviet Union) agency TASS.  

Since 1904 TASS has been Russia's leading news agency.  

Indira with Rajiv, Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka 

In April 1978, one year since Morarji Desai-led Janata Party Govt was in power and L K Advani as the Information and Broadcasting Minister; the Samachar was dismantled.  And the joke circulated .... : 

Why was Samachar closed and dismantled ? 

The response was -- "Because the news reader of All India Radio (AIR) Hindi news bulletin would always ended her/his programme saying - "Samachar Samapt Huye".  

 

There's another fascinating anecdote of that period worth sharing.  A mega rally was organised opposition parties (prior to the election that dethroned Indira Gandhi) - the Congress regime had played a game. 

Official TV, that's Doordarshan made a smart move what was seen as attempting to keep the crowd indoors. The blockbuster 'Bobby' starring Rishi Kapoor and Dimple was telecast. Nevertheless; the crowd came in large numbers. 

Then Babu Jagjivan Ram was a key opposition figure and so the headline in one of the newspapers next day was -- 

'Babu beats Bobby'. 

Bangladesh is in debate yet again. In the mid-seventies; thanks to India's role in splitting Pakistan - the relations between Washington and New Delhi had deteriorated much. The Indira-led dispensation was for obvious reasons at the receiving end of the US policies. 

Yet certain peculiarities would happen. This gap was highlighted by CPI leader Indrajit Gupta. In his own words during a parliamentary debate - he slammed 'wooden headed' censors for their stupidity. Gupta's complaint was he wrote a piece in his party mouthpiece against "American imperalism". 

But even that expression was removed. The communist leader wondered why such a decision was taken at all. Another key voice and a friend of Chandrashekhar was Mohan Dharia. Winding up his speech; Dharia drew the attention of the House to the presence of a plaque at the entrance of the British House of Commons.

Inscribed in the plaque were the famous words of Voltaire. 

"I have greatest detest for your opinion. But I shall fight unto death to preserve your right to utter your opinion".  

ends 

Women will be women ::: Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina - two leaders became Prime Ministers ---- But they upheld feminine characteristics - 'shared food .... but fought over birthday party and furniture'

"Woman was God's second mistake" - philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche

**

"A woman is four times more brazen than a man. She also has six times his courage and eight times his strength of passion!" - Chanakya

2000 snap - Khaleda Zia and Hasina 

Look next door neighbour - Bangladesh and we have how 'women (from purdah to power)' could be. 

Around 2006; both Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda were jailed by a military-backed interim regime. Khaleda was arrested on corruption charges.

Both the women leaders and former PMs;  Ms Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina were held in detention in houses not far from each other.

Reports emerged that Hasina even shared her food with bitter rival Khaleda. But later in 2024 --- in an interview Hasina denied this.

She also claimed Khaleda Zia was under house arrest and was treated well in a “newly built house.”

“A better place, and better furniture and everything .... For me, it was all old, broken," Sheikh Hasina complained. 

The 2009 and the period after that had many episodes of Sheikh Hasina in power 'hounding' Khaleda in multiple cases. And why not; Hasina had become prime minister and remained in, entrenching her in power for the next 15 years.

Among the cases filed against Khaleda Zia was that she had misrepresented her birthday, to turn Aug 15, a day of mourning for Sheikh Hasina marking the massacre of her her father Mujib and other family members into her day of celebration. 

On this case; when Khaleda did not show up to a court hearing over a complaint lodged in 2016 by a supporter of Hasina’s Awami League party, the court issued an arrest warrant for her.

“The complaint was that she had been celebrating a fake birthday, on Aug. 15, for a long time ....But, in fact, that is her original birthday” -- Khaleda's lawyer and a BNP leader Syed Nazrul Islam had told the court.

Nevertheless; on Dec 30 as Khaleda breathed her last; Sheikh Hasina offered “deepest condolences” to Khalea's family.

“As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and for her role in the struggle to establish democracy, her contributions to the nation were significant and will be remembered,” Hasina noted.

The 'rivalry' touched a new level in 2021 when Khaleda caught epidemic Covid19.

When her condition worsened and medicos advised her to travel abroad for treatment, the request was turned down by courts -- ostensibly at the diktats of powerful Sheikh Hasina.

It is said later also such pleas were rejected. As claimed by BNP workers; Sheikh Hasina denied Khaleda foreign visit on health ground as many as 18 times.

In 2021 after Covid19, Sheikh Hasina foreign minister at the time, A.K. Abdul Momen, had said that Khaleda Zia could bring any doctor she wanted to Bangladesh to treat her, but she wouldn’t be allowed to go abroad.

In fact in the twilight of her life; Khaleda Khanam Putul was frequently in and out of the hospital under security protection, suffering from a number of age-related illnesses including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and advanced liver problems.

Khaleda was freed from house arrest and nearly a dozen of the court cases against her were dropped after Hasina was ousted on Aug 5, 2024.

By then; she was hardly health and remained bedridden. 

Interestingly despite hospitalization, her party still decided to nominate her to contest as many as three seats in the February 2026 elections. 

From her hospital bed, Khaleda called Sheikh Hasina’s downfall as “the end of tyranny.”

“Through a long movement of struggle and sacrifice, we have freed ourselves from the fascist, illegal government,” she read from a statement.

ends 

Begum Khaleda Zia played a gamechanger ... proving the prophets of doom wrong ::::: During turbulent period in the party; Khaleda was seen as 'new saviour' .... But she was slowly coming out of her housewife's self

The assassination of President Ziaur Rahman on 30 May 1981 and the exit of the incumbent President Justice Abdus Sattar from power debilitated the BNP for some time. The party was looking for a rallying point replacing the ageing leadership of Justice Sattar. 

While the workers were united, the leaders at the centre had different stakes. Many also blamed Justice Sattar for his failure to protect the government against the military intervention. 

Thus entered Begum Zia and she played a gamechanger ... proving the prophets of doom wrong.  

The military takeover by Army Chief Lt. Gen. Hussain Muhammad Ershad on 24 March 1982 failed to block, despite temporary setbacks, the forward march of the nationalist forces of Bangladesh led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). 

There were continuous attempts made to cause splits within the BNP and as part of those efforts some front ranking leaders were lured into joining Ershad. Everything said and done, the party survived all conspiracies to cripple and dismantle it.   

As fissures developed in the BNP a debate came up about how to elect a Chairperson of the party and who should be nominated to contest in the upcoming Presidential election. 

Incidentally, there were no provisions in the party constitution about how to fill the vacancy of the party chief, if any. There was also no provision to make a Vice-Chair the Acting Chair. 

So, these two problems needed an urgent solution. Only the party National Executive Committee (NEC) could solve the problem. But without taking this provision into consideration some senior members decided to act on their own.

Khaleda's son Tarique Rahman with doctor wife and barrister daughter

There were internal squabbling. Without consulting others, Prime Minister Shah Azizur Rahman announced that Sattar had been nominated as the Chairperson and there was no dissent. Addressing the meeting, Sattar asked party leaders to hold two big public meetings in each thana and to air recorded speeches of Zia in these meetings to propagate the ideals of Zia, reports 'The Daily Star'.  

Maj. Gen. Nurul Islam Shishu (Rtd.) and Lt. Col. Akbar Hossain (Rtd.) wanted to propose the name of Begum Khaleda Zia as the Presidential candidate. Some of the attendees were not prepared for such a proposal. Shishu and Akbar were of the opinion that the BNP needed the legacy of Zia and only Begum Zia carried that legacy. Pointing out that Begum Zia was not a member of the party, the group led by Shah Aziz refused to accept the proposal. 

Scuffles broke out but were calmed. Ultimately, Shishu withdrew his proposal and Sattar qualified and was chosen to become the party candidate. As newspapers reported the incident saying that the party was facing a risk of split, Minister K.M. Obaidur Rahman in a statement said the news story about the possible split in the BNP was misleading and fabricated. 

He claimed that he had been one of the MPs present in the Bangabhaban meeting and the MPs present had assured Sattar that they would work for him during the election. Those who were actively proposing the candidature of Sattar became so angry that they were about to beat Tariqul Islam and others.

(for details check 'The Daily Star' ....

Link

Blogger 

During the turbulent period in the party; though Khaleda Zia was seen and repeatedly proposed as the new saviour of the party, she did not show much interest, barring casually meeting some of the party leaders. In an interview with the Bangladesh Television in June 1981, she basically talked about her life with Zia and how she managed the domestic responsibilities. 

But she was slowly coming out of her housewife's self, too.  

On 28 January 1982, she was seen attending the opening ceremony of the newly-finished Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Complex, parliament complex of Bangladesh, by President Sattar. 

Addressing the ceremony, Justice Sattar said the JS Complex on a lush green expanse and overlooking Zia's mazar would stand as a silent reminder of the late statesman's contribution to the revival of multi-party democracy in the country. 

Curiously, Ershad also wanted Begum Zia to become Vice-President of the country. 

A senior leader of the party, preferring anonymity, has said Ershad used both Anisul Islam Mahmud and Moudud Ahmed as the go-between to convey his suggestion to Begum Zia.

 But she was very upset hearing about the proposal. "She firmly believed that Ershad had been behind the conspiracy to kill Zia," one of the party leaders said.  

However, the move to replace Sattar as Chairperson of the party continued. Party leaders and workers were asking for an extended meeting of the party to decide on the issue. 

The date to elect a Chairperson was set for 21 January 1982 and it was announced that 20 members of the electoral colleges of the country's 10 political districts, other than that of the candidate, would vote in the election.   

Visible differences surfaced about the candidature of Khaleda Zia versus Justice Sattar for the post of party Chairperson. Justice Sattar went to Begum Zia's house for a one-on-one meeting around the noon on 3 January. 

Though what transpired during the meeting of Begum Zia and Justice Sattar was not known it was reported that she was ready to join politics but was against any contest to become party Chairperson, says 'The Daily Star' report.

Khaleda Zia addresses a public rally on 23 February 1991. Photo: The Daily Star

In a sudden move on 7 January, Begum Zia withdrew from the race even before the election commission of the party could sit for scrutinising the nomination papers. So Justice Sattar was elected BNP Chairman unoppоsed. 

However, differences persisted. And ultimately; she emerged as the leader of BNP. 

Tariqul Islam said: We were convinced that if she had joined politics she would be carrying the charisma of Zia and this would be an added advantage for the BNP. 

Moreover, we were convinced that once she joined politics and was adorned by people she would not think of a personal life for her".

 

ends

India Shining .... Truly yours .... Moditva :::: No fake news... no Artificial Intelligence ::: Modi hae toh .... Bharat is now 4th-largest economy by overtaking Japan, set to pip Germany by 2030

Indian Sickularism and Trumpism from Washington ... have to reconcile to new facts ... 'new India'

 India becomes 4th-largest economy by overtaking Japan, set to pip Germany by 2030

As one of the world’s youngest nations, India’s growth story is being shaped by its ability to generate quality employment that productively absorbs its expanding workforce and delivers inclusive, sustainable growth, it is claimed. 

India's real GDP grew 8.2 per cent in Q2 of 2025-26, driven by strong domestic consumption, urban demand, and structural reforms, the Centre said.

India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, with a GDP of USD 4.18 trillion.

Bharat, that is India, is now projected to surpass Germany to claim the third spot by 2030.

The country continues to be the fastest-growing major economy, underpinned by robust domestic consumption and strong structural reforms.

India’s real GDP expanded 8.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2025-26, up from 7.8 per cent in the first quarter and 7.4 per cent in Q4 of the previous fiscal, marking a six-quarter high despite global trade uncertainties.

IMF projections for 2026 put India’s economy at US$4.51 trillion, compared with Japan’s US$4.46 trillion.

New Delhi’s upbeat assessment comes despite economic worries after Washington in August hit New Delhi with huge tariffs over its purchases of Russian oil.

Continued growth reflects its “resilience amid persistent global trade uncertainties”.

International institutions have echoed optimism about India’s growth trajectory. The World Bank projects 6.5 per cent growth in 2026, while Moody’s expects India to remain the fastest-growing G20 economy at 6.4 per cent in 2026 and 6.5 per cent in 2027. The IMF has raised its projections to 6.6 per cent for 2025 and 6.2 per cent for 2026, while the OECD forecasts 6.7 per cent growth in 2025 and 6.2 per cent in 2026.

The government said the economy is expected to reach a GDP of USD 7.3 trillion by 2030, building on strong economic foundations and ongoing reforms. The US remains the world’s largest economy, followed by China in second place.  

ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS REMAIN STRONG

The government highlighted that inflation remains below the lower tolerance threshold, unemployment is on a declining trajectory, and exports continue to improve. Financial conditions are stable, with strong credit flows to the commercial sector, while urban consumption continues to strengthen, supporting sustained economic momentum.

“India is among the world’s fastest-growing major economies and is well-positioned to sustain this momentum. With the goal of attaining high middle-income status by 2047, the country is building on solid foundations of economic growth, structural reforms, and social progress,” the release said.

India became the world’s fifth-largest economy in 2022, when its GDP overtook that of former colonial ruler Britain, according to IMF figures.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi this year unveiled sweeping consumption tax cuts and pushed through labour law reforms after economic growth hit a four-year low, in the 12 months ended March 31.

India’s rupee hit a record low against the dollar in early December – having dropped around five per cent in 2025 – owing to ongoing worries about the lack of a trade deal with Washington and the impact of the levies on the country’s goods.

ends 

2025 marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China :::: Reset offered breathing room rather than breakthrough .

The India-China ties have had different flavours in 2025. The relations also evolved into a newer phases between 2000 and 2025 -- that is during the last 25 years.  

Normal interaction and inevitable showdown .... accompany each other due to historical as well as geopolitical reasons. 

As a matter of fact, efforts have been made from both sides to mark a 'shift' -- from outright hostility toward  calibrated engagement.

Both seem to realise the utter importance of complex mutual coexistence.

The RIC --- Russia-India-China partnership also made some progress. 

The calendar year 2025 marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, prompting commemorative events and renewed dialogue to revive relations. 

In essence, 2025 represented a push for normalization and pragmatic cooperation, but within a framework where both countries acknowledge unresolved challenges, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). 

( Russian President Vladimir Putin and PM Narendra Modi's attendance of the key meeting with Xi Jinping provided the opportunity for Indian PM and Xi to demonstrate their continuing support for Vladimir Putin. 

But RIC friendship shows the three are united by little more than their opposition to the current US-dominated order. )  

Xi Jining has actually moved too slowly on the de-escalation of troops at the standoff points along the LAC with India. 

Prime Minister Modi met with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in August, noting positive momentum and reaffirming development partnership goals. 

Progress was made in border management, with agreements to disengage troops in some areas and establish new mechanisms for border consultation (WMCC). 

Efforts focused on reducing the trade deficit, reopening trade passes (Lipulekh, Shipki La, Nathu La), and resuming direct flights, boosting tourism and trade. 

Plans were underway to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and restart the High-Level Mechanism for People-to-People Exchanges in 2026. 

India continued its policy of strategic autonomy, balancing economic ties with China with deeper partnerships with other global powers. 

As year 2025 draws to a close amid global turbulence, China's diplomacy has sent a clear signal: its neighborhood has become an anchor of its foreign policy. 

From intensive head-of-state diplomacy and multilateral summits to crisis mediation and economic cooperation, Beijing has prioritized stability, development and partnership with surrounding countries, says 'Global Times'.    

Paradox :  Reset as a pragmatic attempt 

For Indian businesses, the 2025 thaw presented both opportunities and persistent challenges. 

Industries  reliant on Chinese inputs, electronics manufacturing, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and  pharmaceuticals, benefited from restored supply chains and reduced costs as the year progressed. 

Analysts characterized this reset as a pragmatic attempt to balance economic necessity with strategic  caution. However, the persistent trade deficit and sluggish export diversification dampened optimism as the year  wore on. The renewed engagement represented calculated re-entry rather than a return to pre-2020  dynamics. 

Indian policymakers demonstrated throughout the year that they recognized economic  interdependence could not supersede strategic vulnerability, particularly when trade flows remained so  heavily tilted in China’s favour.

The most crucial and sensitive issue, the disputed boundary, saw only  partial resolution. 

While late 2024 brought a troop withdrawal agreement covering specific friction points  like Depsang and Demchok, the broader territorial dispute along the Line of Actual Control continued to  simmer throughout 2025. 

Multiple standoff locations persisted, representing latent flashpoints that  could rapidly derail diplomatic progress.

For India’s strategic establishment, 2025 confirmed the need for clear-eyed caution. Normalization of  economic and diplomatic relations could not be conflated with genuine reconciliation. 

The boundary  issue remained the fundamental constraint on how far bilateral ties could deepen, serving as a constant  reminder of the fragility underlying current engagement.

Additional info/analysis 

Donald Trump’s America-first foreign policy has undermined  relationships in Europe and Asia that underpinned the liberal international order and secured US dominance.

How will this unfold remains to be seen.  

There is another element to look at especially from New Delhi's strategic thinking.  

When two of China's neighbors, Cambodia and Thailand became mired in a border clash, foreign ministers from both countries called Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on December 18 and briefed him on the latest developments regarding the conflict along the Cambodia-Thailand border and expressed their willingness to de-escalate tensions and bring about a ceasefire.  

****

Looking back at 2025, 

--- Economic pragmatism  facilitated supply chain cooperation and cross-border commerce.

The year 2025 also meant -- tactical  adjustment rather than strategic transformation. 

**

True measure lies in 'outcomes' rather than  diplomatic rhetoric. 

Trade flows showed continued growth but deepening imbalance. 

ends 

Operation Sindoor was Watershed moment .... :: Pakistan was rattled ::: Beijing let loose "tutored" experts to speak about efficacy of Chinese defence system ::: Govt wants to 'further strengthen' India’s nuclear triad

India's security system needs to be revamped. 

And it is being done. 

Pakistan cannot forget the year gone by for multiple reasons. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that after Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has "realised the heavy cost of running the business of terrorism."

Over 600 Pakistani drones were downed or repelled by the Indian Army’s air defence  units.

The army mobilised over 1,000 air defence units gun systems and 750 short—and medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems in double-quick time during Operation Sindoor.

*** 

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has inducted Drones and Loiter Munitions to destroy enemy air defences.

The Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) of the Air Force works in close coordination with Army air defence units. The IACCS has envisioned a system to detect 'enemy movement' and keep the ground commanders informed.

The IACCS has also incorporated the Software Defined Radios (SDRs) for secure voice data communication.

These have made upgradations, which cater to redundancies, an easier process.

Operation Sindoor messaging --- 

On being asked about the 'message' being conveyed by using Ramdhari Singh Dinkar's poem in the video presentation, Air Marshal AK Bharti said , 

"...'विनय ना मानत जलध जड़ गए तीन दिन बीति। बोले राम सकोप तब भय बिनु होय ना प्रीति'.."

"...The ocean is not accepting humility (विनय), three days have passed. Ram said in anger, 'There is no love without fear.'"

(Four years back PM Narendra Modi had said this quote from Ram Charit Manas at a public function) 

^^^^^^^^

A stand off weapon launch detection system is already in place.

Standoff launch is useful to launch an attack keeping a safe distance from the counter. As a result, the capability to counter enemies using appropriate weapons and systems will be improved.  

The Indian Armed Forces' year-end 2025 was defined by major Defence Reforms, focusing on tech like AI/drones, integrated theatre commands, and indigenization, alongside key operations like Operation Sindoor (striking terror bases) and significant military inductions.

The Ministry of Defence declared 2025 the "Year of Reforms," emphasizing modernization, tri-service synergy, and future-readiness in cyber/space domains, marking a strategic shift towards a technologically advanced force. 

India’s deployment of the S-400 missile system and the BrahMos missiles, which New Delhi co-manufactured with Moscow made it clear ... how 'new Bharat' has emerged.

Moreover, Indian strikes made it also clear that we can do so keeping the strikes non-escalatory and limited.  

Operation Sindoor was launched by the armed forces on the night of May 6 and May 7, following the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. 

The operation targeted camps of terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen, resulting in the elimination of over 100 terrorists.

Following retaliatory shelling and attempted drone attacks by Pakistan, India expanded its strikes to radar systems, communication hubs, and air bases across 11 Pakistani installations. 

After three days of intense cross-border military actions, a ceasefire understanding between the two nations was announced on May 10.

In terms of futuristic moves ....  

As India heads into circa 2026, there is a realisation that a Military has to be in transition -- preparing for the next conflict obviously. But should also work on 'fundamentally different ways' of fighting wars.  

The Navy evolved a doctrine to include a ‘no war, no peace’ category.

That means accelerated induction of drones, autonomous boats and surveillance assets. 

Six joint doctrines were released covering 

cyber, space, 

amphibious, special forces, 

and multi-domain operations.  

&&& 

The Navy’s strength will grow with the commissioning of Project 17A stealth frigates—Taragiri, Mahendragiri and Dunagiri.

About 60 warships are now under construction in Indian shipyards.

Navy will also commission Aridaman, its third Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN).

The Govt wants to 'further strengthen' India’s nuclear triad.

**

During Operation Sindoor -- The government pointed out to a statement by 

Director General of Military Operations (DGMO),  Lt. Gen Rajiv Ghai: 

(during the briefing on Operation Sindoor) 

--  "...even though we did attempt to reach out and communicate our compulsions to strike at the heart of terror to my counterpart in the immediate wake of Operation Sindoor, the request was brusquely turned down with an intimation that a severe response was inevitable and in the offing. 

We were, of course, prepared". 

Following Operation Sindoor, India’s indigenous defence capabilities, including the Tejas fighter jet and BrahMos missile, gained higher global recognition.

In September 2025 -- India inked a major contract for 97 fourth-generation Tejas jets --  a move aimed at reducing the IAF to an all-time low of 29 fighter squadrons.

Notably, Pakistan used Chinese-origin jets like J-10s armed with PL-15, and made IAF come to the conclusion based on an internal assessment that it will need far more than even its “authorised” 42.5 fighter squadrons.  

Russia also submitted a proposal for the supply and local production of its fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jets. 

From 2020 to 2024, Russia provided 36 per cent of India’s arms imports.

France supplied 33 per cent and Israel 13 per cent.  

The new India–US 10-year Defence Framework Agreement encompasses strategic logistics, joint production, and technology transfer.

This was a "push to counter" China’s expanding influence across the Indo-Pacific region.

It is true the jointness of the services really took off after the Chief of Defence Staff was appointed. 

As experts state 'Jointness is not a slogan', It involves a lot of planning, taking action together and taking responsibility together. 

The armed forces - true to their words - have now learnt to do all of these things together. 

After Pakistan's fiasco during India's Operation Sindoor; Chinese were upset and furious for yet another aspcct in geo-politics. 

The 'defeat' of Pakistanis have upset China strategically but it is also major "commercial setback".

Beijing let loose some of its "tutored" experts to speak about efficacy of Chinese defence system as supplied to Pakistan.  

A discourse was unleashed to tell the world and also the domestic crowd in China and Pakistan that India had suffered defeat. 

This message is also designed aiming at potential arms buyers including the Middle East. 

ends 

 

India need not forgive Khaleeda for 2001 lynching of BSF jawans :::: Being woman in an Islamic country; .... Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman PM -- A life of power and resistance :::: But unlike Hasina, she caved in and played along with Fundamentalists

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia no more.

Khaleda presided over the transition from presidential to parliamentary government, a structural change. 

"She was not groomed for the jagged edges of politics. Yet, she became a defining figure of Bangladesh's democratic struggle, navigating the transition from a domestic life in the shadows to the very centre of power," -- says 'The Daily Star' newspaper. 

Khaleda Zia sided with Islamic radicals. Corruption was another bane. Unlike her political rival Sheikh Hasina; Khaleda would have never said - "yeh keman musalman (How they claim to be Muslims)." The ousted Bangladesh PM and the Awami League chief had made the remarks after radicalised terrorists took control of a hotel and killed innocents in 2016. 

One should not be writing these on a day she expired; but it is a fact in her death; Indian insurgent groups have lost their former patron.

Khaleda was born on August 15, 1946, in Dinajpur – then part of British India’s East Bengal, now northern Bangladesh.

Her father, Iskandar Majumder, originally from Feni region in the country’s southeast, had previously run a tea business in Jalpaiguri (in present-day India/northern part of West Bengal near sensitive Siliguri) before relocating with his family to East Bengal.

Khaleda spent her early years in Dinajpur, where she studied at the Dinajpur Government Girls’ High School before enrolling at Surendranath College.

                          Sept 3, 2007 - Khaleda Zia seen waving to supporters after she was arrested

Khaleda Zia had been suffering from multiple age-related ailments, including advanced cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, diabetes, and complications related to her chest and heart.  

In a Facebook post, the BNP said that doctors declared the former Prime Minister dead at around 6 am, December 30th.

"Her condition had deteriorated since late Monday night. A special aircraft from Qatar had been kept on standby to airlift her to London for further treatment, but a medical board did not grant clearance for her transfer from Evercare Hospital to Dhaka airport," the post read. 

Zia served two terms as Prime Minister—from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006. She was not only Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister but also the second woman, after Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto, to lead a democratic government in a Muslim country.

Zia was married to Ziaur Rahman, the country's sixth President and one of the most influential figures in the 1971 Liberation War. Rahman formed the BNP in 1977, just four years before he was assassinated in May 1981.

In 1984, Khaleeda Zia was elected as the BNP chairperson and under her leadership, the party intensified its movement against the autocratic regime of HM Ershad, who came to power after overthrowing the government in 1982. 

While Sheikh Hasina and Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan inherited political legacy from their fathers; in Khaleeda's case it was through her husband Ziaur Rahman - a former military chief. Her political rise must have been much difficult in an Islamic country. 

It was Ziaur Rahman who deviated from Dhaka's pro-India foreign policy and the west and China were cultivated.

Even as Khaleeda and Sheikh Hasina - both - fought against military ruler Ershad; Khaleeda's pursued her husband's anti-India policies. She befriended radicals and thus also Pakistan.

But in a rare moment of unity that altered the course of Bangladesh's history, Khaleda made one of her most significant political compromises by joining forces with her arch-rival, Sheikh Hasina, in 1990. 

They agreed to a strategic liaison to oust Ershad and the two women --in public life due to personal tragedies - formulated a joint declaration against H M Ershad.

The secret military service DGFI was provided with funds and authorities and several Indian insurgency outfits from the north east including ULFA, NSCN and PLA of Manipur were encouraged. In fact around 2005 - it came to light that ULFA leaders had all the logistic support and freedom to aid and finance these militants.  

There was another feature of Khaleeda rule --- of course she fought to 'restore democracy' after military takeover in the 1980s,  corruption claims were also her past. 

 

Sheikh Hasina - ousted and now in India 

Islamic Fundamentalism

In fact, emergence of Islamic fundamentalism had given a totally new twist to the security scenario in Assam and a few other states with a large number of disgruntled Muslim population being lured by over a dozen Muslim militant groups. 

During 2001 visit to Guwahati, Shillong and other places in the region, we (a group of journalists from Delhi) were told that there are approximately 16 Muslim fundamentalist organisations active in the region, especially in Assam and Manipur, aided and abetted by ISI and some other Islamic organisations in Bangladesh and Pakistan. 

These groups were committed to promoting "pan Islamisation" in the northeast. 

Ironically, the Muslim organisations became "hyperactive", to quote an Assam government official, only after the Babri Masjid demolition in December 1992. It is the sense of insecurity among the Muslims generated after the demolition that instigated the Muslim youth, the Assamese and the Bengalis, to unify socially and arm them. 

They also started getting training in the handling of arms and explosives with the assistance of ISI and their sympathisers in Bangladesh.  

A cultural group from Assam performing in Allahabad in 2019 

2001: Lynching of BSF jawans

India need not forgive Khaleeda for 2001 lynching of BSF jawans.

Early 2001 sought to redefine the Indo-Bangladesh relations in all its negative connotation. A company commander of the Border Security Force (BSF) and 18 of his jawans were picked up by intruding Bangladeshi soldiers and held them to stay in "captivity" for two consecutive nights in the Dawki sector of the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border. 

Two days later, reports poured in that at least 16 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were killed by Bangladeshi troops in a forward village in Assam. There were also claims that in neighbouring Meghalaya, the Bangladesh Rifles continued to occupy Pyrduwah village for more than three days escalating tension on the border. 

The then Union Home Secretary Kamal Pande, quoting reports from the BSF border camp said in New Delhi, that the BSF personnel were killed when the Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Rifle (BDR) personnel resorted to "unprovoked firing and shelling" in Boraibari in Assam targeting a BSF post and civilian areas. 

With the support of Khaleeda Zia regime and radical Islamists -- 

The NSCN (IM)  maintained a sizable presence in various camps in Bangladesh such as - Thanchi Bazar, Mowdok, Tendu, Kaitong, Murong, Rezupara, Baidyapara and Sumsong.  In addition, the group had its offices in Chittagong and Cox's Bazar.  

The NSCN (IM) and NLFT of Tripura also had a number of joint transit camps for facilitating their movements towards Bangladesh-Tripura border. 

Arabinda Rajkhowa, ULFA chairman and Sashadhar Choudhury, foreign secretary of ULFA, were two eminent and frequent visitors to Tarabon village in Panchari police station locality in Khagrachari district. 

The ULFA had its "foreign headquarters" at Tarabon. 

The group also had good 'havens' or hideouts and training camps in Bhutan. The ULFA also has transit camps at Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Ramgarh, Rangamati and Moulvi Bazar. 

Old file snap 

The PLA had also established its camps in the Manipuri inhabited areas of Sylhet and Bandarban districts. 

In 2001 the then Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta had said --  "ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah and various Islamic militant groups operating in Assam continue to get help from Bangladesh army and para-military forces."   

Apart from giving moral support, Muslim fundamentalist organisation Jamaat-e-Islami of Pakistan and Bangladesh were secretly funding Muslim militant groups in the state to carryout nefarious designs in India's northeast.  

However, after 2009, the Sheikh Hasina government cooperated a lot with the Indian authorities and provided necessary assistance in getting several top ULFA leaders get arrested. 

In the process; the militant organisation had fallen weakened and later came up for peace parleys. 

ends