Fragrant Memories and Redesigning India :::: Nehru had even justified expansionist concept of Beijing ::: "We can give life for Aksai Chin", Amit Shah said in 2019

The fact that GeoPolitics is in for tough time will make GeoPolitics even more interesting to follow and write about. 

Soon after independence, India realised that it was fast emerging as the largest and most influential non-western nation in the United Nations. Around the same time, the world had entered the post-war scenario. The Soviet Union had acquired an empire in Eastern Europe and also gained enormous power.  

The United States was almost aloof from international involvement. But it found itself getting more international respect. It also became dramatically more active. In contrast, Japan, Germany, France and the United Kingdom which were earlier active lay subdued. This opened a new era even for New Delhi.  

India's running start engagement in diplomacy was possible because India already had considerable diplomatic engagements even before independence.

The "Running start engagement in diplomacy" refers to a proactive and early approach to diplomatic efforts, emphasizing the importance of initiating contact and building relationships before conflicts or crises arise. 

So India had initial advantages. However, there were hiccups and hurdles. Notwithstanding the rhetoric of non-alignment as is cited often; India was also heavily foreign-aid-dependent nation till the end of 1960s. To start with one can mention that India's agri productivity was in bad shape. 

This forced India to seek concessional PL480 found aid from the United States. 

At the same it ought to be grasped that at independence, India was already a member of 51 international bodies and was bound by 627 treaties. As Prime Minister and India's foreign minister for long 17 years in office, Jawaharlal Nehru was obsessed with certain ideas such as non-alignment. That means, India's foreign policy remained politics-focused. 

In the process of course the politically focused foreign policy hurt India's economic interests. We can take a few examples to strengthen the argument here - both on the economic front and in geo-politics. 

In the words Nani Palkhivala; Israel was to India ... what Quality was to Quantity. The delay in recognising Israel - a nation of one of the most dynamic people of the world - was perhaps the greatest mistakes in India's foreign policy. 

For records, on 14 May 1948—the day the last British forces left Haifa—the People's Council gathered at the Tel Aviv Museum and proclaimed the establishment of a Jewish state to serve as the homeland for the Jewish people.

Blogger 

In the 1960s, India was inching closer to the US. During the Sino-India war of 1962, it even called for US military aid. But this was short-lived and in 1964, New Delhi had almost committed to Moscow for a long term realistic and geo-strategic relationships. The year 1971 saw the Indo-US and India's relations with the west and Europe decline further. 

Incidentally, India also suffered diplomatically as Indira Gandhi's support to Bangladesh to liberate itself coincided with a growing axis between China and the United States. Things stuck at that for a decade and more. Only by 1987, the Govt of India realised two things - need for friendship with the US and also tweak the foreign policy whenever necessary in the context of country's economic need. 

In 1990 or so, India also recognised that the American presence in the Arabian sea could be accepted. 

The China factor:  

Around 1950, China was an economically shattered country. But India soon realised that it was still nationalistically and ideologically a surcharged nation.

New Delhi then believed in the power of Sino-Soviet-India axis. In modern context, it is better known as RIC -- Russia, India and China. But Nehru's handling of China had a few faultlines.  Nehru even justified expansionist concept of Beijing.

"It is very difficult for a giant not to function sometimes as a giant," Nehru had said and even maintained -- "Every great and powerful country tends to expand and to be somewhat aggressive". 

Look at these lapses. In Aksai Chin, India had no agreement either with Tibet or China. If it was immature and politically heedless of India to rely excessively on a colonial agreement in the NEFA (modern day Arunachal Pradesh region); it was strategically amiss "not to recognise Aksai Chin's vital role for a resurgent China", says book 'Society, State and Security - The Indian Experience' penned by Verghese Koithara. 

On the other hand China acted smart even in 1971. During Bangladesh war of independence, China's support to Pakistan was less belligerent than it was in the 1965 war. We must not forget that the 1962 war demolished India's standing at the Asian and global stage.

The defeat gave a tactical booster to Indian insurgent groups in north east and Nagas and Mizo rebels started raising alarm and also established good working relations with those supporting them in China.

At the same a so-called peace was heralded at the border with India accepting China's occupation of Aksai Chin and for its part Beijing also accepted New Delhi's "return" to NEFA region after the defeat.

Nevertheless, Chinese diplomats even around 2000 used to say in Delhi that they do not consider Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim as integral part of India. 

China again did its homework pretty well. The establishment of a triangular strategic relations with USSR and the US and also with a veto power at the UNSC; from 1972 China became much respected internationally.  

On Aug 6, 2019 - a day after abrogation of Article 370 - Home Minister Amit Shah, told Lok Sabha that he could give his life for the integrity of Jammu and Kashmir and that included Aksai Chin.

Close to the 2020 flashpoint zone Galwan Valley; the Aksai Chin region is controlled by China but it is claimed by India as part of Ladakh.

India's mercurial Home Minister Amit Shah

Shah even exploded in anger when an opposition member wondered why he was being so aggressive while talking about Aksai Chin.

“I am aggressive because don’t you consider the Pakistan-occupied part of Jammu and Kashmir, as part of India?” Shah asked.

“Iske liye jaan de denge. Aap aggressive hone ki baat karte hain? Hum iske liye jaan de denge. (We are ready to give our life for this. You are talking about getting aggressive? I am ready to give my life for this),” Shah said. 

Then he referred to Aksai Chin. “Mr Speaker, I want to put this on record that whenever I say state of Jammu & Kashmir in the House, then both PoK and Aksai Chin are part of it".

“The boundaries of Jammu and Kashmir decided in our Constitution, and also in the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, includes PoK and Aksai Chin,” he added.

The Chinese had reacted strongly after the Modi government, riding a huge popular mandate in 2019 polls abrogated Article 370 to end the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and designated it as US. The centre also created Ladakh as a separate Union Territory.

“We urge India to be cautious in its words and deeds on the border issue, strictly abide by the relevant agreements reached between the two sides, and avoid taking actions that further complicate the border issue,” the Chinese foreign ministry had said in a statement.

In 2019 August, reportedly in an informal session of the UN Security Council, the Chinese Permanent Representative, lodged a protest, saying India’s actions has “challenged the Chinese sovereign interests and violated bilateral agreements on maintaining peace and stability in the border area.…”.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang later said in Oct 2019 : “China urges the Indian side to earnestly respect Chinese territorial sovereignty, abide by our treaties and uphold peace and tranquility in the border areas and create favourable conditions for the proper settlement of boundary question".

ends   

Dalai Lama celebrates 90th birthday ..... There is much about geo-strategic significance of a former son of a farmer who became a 'thorn' for China

A Nobel Peace Prize winner, the Dalai Lama celebrated his 90th birthday.
China calls him a separatist and has sought to bring the Tibetan-Buddhism faith under its control.

The Dalai Lama is not only a religious leader, he is also a shrewd thinker. He does understand that he is caught geo-politically between India and China.   

And hence there are larger issues at play. 

Dalai Lama in younger days : 1959-60

The Dalai Lama is regarded as one of the world’s most influential religious leaders, with a following that extends well beyond Buddhism.  

Thousands of Tibetan Buddhists were joined by a Hollywood star Richard Gere in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala. 

A process to name his successor will also be launched soon. There are apprehensions that China will name a 'rival successor' to the Dalai Lama, bolstering Beijing’s control over Tibet, the territory it poured troops into in 1950 and has ruled ever since.

The hilltop temples at Dharamshala echoed with chants, while dance troupes performed with clanging cymbals and bagpipes.

Gere took to the podium at the celebrations with a smile on his face to declare what a "joyous, joyous day" it was "to celebrate this extraordinary life." He then embraced the Dalai Lama, who he said "totally embodies selflessness", and kissed his hand.

Fleeing his home Tibet in 1959 in the wake of a failed uprising against Chinese rule, the 14th Dalai Lama, along with hundreds of thousands of Tibetans, took shelter in India and has since stayed in India and advocated for a peaceful “Middle Way” to seek autonomy and religious freedom for the Tibetan people.

The Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, has turned 90 to cap a week of celebrations by followers during which he flayed China yet again.

Surprising many he said he hopes to live beyond 130 and reincarnate after dying.

Dressed in his traditional yellow and burgundy robe, the Dalai Lama arrived at a Buddhist temple complex to smiles and claps from thousands of monks and followers who had gathered on a rainy morning in the north Indian hill town of Dharamshala, where he lives. 

Union Minorities Minister Kiren Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, which is not recognised by Beijing, attended a function. 

The Dalai Lama was flanked on the stage by longtime supporters, including Western diplomats, Minister Rijiju and also noted Hollywood actor Richard Gere. 

“As far as I am concerned, I have a human life, and as humans, it is quite natural for us to love and help one another. I live my life in the service of other sentient beings,” the Dalai Lama said.  

In a sign of solidarity, Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te, leaders of Indian states bordering Tibet, and three former United States presidents – Barack Obama, George W Bush, and Bill Clinton – sent video messages which were played during the event.

China protested India's actions regarding Dalai Lama's birthday, urging New Delhi to respect Beijing's sensitivities on Tibet-related issues. 

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the 14th Dalai Lama is in political exile in India and accused him of engaging in "anti-China separatist activities" for a long time and seeking to separate Xizang from Chinese control.  

"India needs to be fully cognizant of the sensitivity of issues related to Xizang, see clearly the anti-China and separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama, honor the commitments India has made to China on issues related to Xizang, act prudently, and stop using those issues to interfere in China’s internal affairs," the Chinese spokesperson said. 

"His (Dalai Lama's) message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths. We pray for his continued good health and long life," PM Narendra Modi said in a post on X.  

“It is humbling to realise that you’ve been a leader on the world stage for longer than I’ve been alive,” Obama said, in his message to his “dear friend”.

The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, also said in a statement, read at the celebrations in India, that Washington was “committed to promoting respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Tibetans”.

ends 

250 illegal Bangladeshi nationals were deported from Gujarat to Dhaka ::: 'Influx' will be a major poll issue in Assam and Bengal in 2026

This came from the BJP government in Gujarat.

In a major crackdown, 250 illegal Bangladeshi nationals were deported from Gujarat to Dhaka. The deportation was carried out from Vadodara Air Force Station using a special Indian Air Force aircraft, amid tight security arrangements.

All the Bangladeshi nationals had their hands cuffed during the transfer to prevent any untoward incidents, sources said. 

They were brought to the airport under police escort in buses from different parts of the state. This action is part of a larger crackdown against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants living in the western state.

Over the last two months, more than 1,200 Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in the state have been identified and deported. The state government, in coordination with central security agencies, is intensifying efforts to remove all unauthorised foreign nationals.

The operation has been most active in major urban hubs such aAhmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot. These cities have seen a noticeable increase in the number of undocumented migrants, prompting police and intelligence agencies to step up surveillance and verification.

As part of the campaign, authorities are conducting thorough document checks to identify individuals staying in India using fake identification papers. Many of the detained individuals were found in possession of forged Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and other identity documents.

Based on local intelligence and surveillance reports, police teams have carried out multiple raids across suspected neighbourhoods. These efforts have led to the detention of hundreds of illegal residents in recent weeks.

The Gujarat police, along with central agencies, have indicated that similar operations will continue in the coming weeks. Authorities have urged citizens to report suspicious activities and help ensure national security by cooperating with the verification drives. 

In another western state (Rajasthan) - also under BJP rule - The first batch of 148 Bangladeshi nationals was transported to Jodhpur and flown to Kolkata on Wednesday (May 14, 2025). From there, they will be deported to Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi immigrants in West Bengal allegedly make good support base for Mamata

The Rajasthan Police have till May 2025 detained at least 1,008 alleged Bangladeshi nationals. “They were sent to six detention centres. A majority [of Bangladeshis] were found in Sikar...394 ...followed by 218 in Jaipur, 117 in Alwar, 114 in Kotputli, and 67 in Bhiwadi.”

More than 1,100 Bangladeshi nationals have been deported from Delhi since January 2025, with nearly a third of these removals occurring in June. 

25 International awards for Narendra Modi since 2016 from countries ranging from Saudi Arabia, South Korea to Russia and Trinidad

It's a record by itself. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has so far received 25 'global recognition' - that is international honours awards from across across the globe.

Trinidad & Tobago created history by becoming 25th country to confer the island nation’s highest civilian honour to Mod.

“Every award for PM Modi is a salute to Bharat’s rise,” goes the official line. It all started in 2016 around two years since Modi took over as the Prime Minister in May 2014. 

The 25 awards have all been picked up during Modi’s foreign trips over the past nine years.

Even during latest trip, Modi got the honours from Ghana, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia. besides  Trinidad & Tobago.  

On Jul 9th 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin conferred Russia's highest national award "The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle” on Prime Minister Modi.

The journey had begun in 2016 when the Prime Minister got the honour from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2016

The trend has caught up with. As many as 12 of the 25 awards have come to Modi in the last year violence. 

The government has rightly projected each of these awards as “honouring India’s global ascent”.

The journey from being ‘Modi’ to the ‘Moditva phenomenon’ has been of a loner, and that of a man who vanquished adversaries at virtually every stage.

Till February 27, 2002, Narendra Modi was another BJP leader and at best a Chief Minister. But once the Sabarmati Express train was torched killing Ram Bhakts and that resulted in carnage between Hindus and Muslims in his home state – Narendra Damodardas Modi has not looked back.

He turned disadvantage to advantage.  Besides dealing with detractors in Congress who wanted to nail him in 2002 riots, Modi also overcame hurdles posed by party colleagues like Sanjay Joshi.

In 2013, his declaration of being made BJP’s ‘prime ministerial candidate’ was opposed by none other than his mentor L K Advani.

In 2002, during the peak of mayhem, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee publically asked him to discharge ‘Raj Dharma’. Dealing with all that requires more than the assertiveness, and Modi has shown that.

And the right synthesis of Hindutva inclined nationalism punctuated with development and him (Modi) being seen as an architect of change transformed him into a big national leader

In 2023, in the Rajya Sabha on the significance of the Prime Minister receiving a large number of international awards, the then MoS External Affairs V. Muraleedharan in a written statement said it was a clear recognition of his statesmanship.

“Conferring the highest awards on the Prime Minister of India is a clear recognition of his statesmanship and leadership at bilateral, regional and global levels. It also reflects a recognition of India under the PM’s leadership, including giving voice to the Global South on the world stage and approaching issues confronted by humanity through dialogue and diplomacy,” Muraleedharan had said.

Notably, a sizable number of these awards have come from Muslim-majority countries.

It is also argued by right wing intellectual Anil Trigunayat that: “Since national interest is the underlying and indispensable factor in the diplomatic outreach, the Awards and recognition of foreign leaders is an implicit aspect of India’ strategic matrix.” 

Even as success came along; all of it was not like a walk along the bed of roses.

In between in 2005, he was denied Visa by the US. By 2004, the government had changed in Delhi and in 2007 assembly polls Sonia Gandhi called him ‘Maut Ka Saudagar (A merchant of death)’.

An ear on ground politician that he is – Modi turned the table; and said ‘Soniaben’ has insulted five crore Gujaratis. All this in a state where entrepreneurship and business are virtues! He won 2007 assembly polls.

Modi mixed his cards well. He emerged ‘protector of Gujarati pride’. At times – he played up Hindutva-nationalist card using the phrase ‘Mia Musharraf’ to perfection and made it clear that there will be ‘no appeasement’ of Muslims.

Post 2019, PM Modi will be remembered for abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and for construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya.  

In 2025 he wrote a new chapter when he turned Operation Sindoor as a great symbol of war against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. 

ends 

Owasi fumes as Minorities Affairs Minister Rijiju claims "minority communities get more funds & support from Govt than Hindus"

"India is the only country where the minorities get more benefits and protections than the majority community." says Minorities Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.  

"The main point we have to understand is that minority communities are receiving more funds and support from the government than the majority community... i.e., the Hindus."

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) shot back saying: "...Minority rights are fundamental rights, not charity".

"You are a Minister of the Indian Republic, not a monarch. You hold a constitutional post, not a throne," hit back Owaisi, who was recently part of a parliamentary delegation overseas on Operation Sindoor and had backed the Modi government for 'teaching' lessons to Pakistan aftermath the terror attack in Pahalgam. 

He added that being called names like Pakistani, Bangladeshi, jihadi, or Rohingya every single day is not a "benefit", nor is being lynched or having homes and religious sites bulldozed illegally. "Is it an 'honour' to be the target of hate speeches from no less than the Prime Minister of India?" he asked.  

Rijiju stated that Indian Muslims don't migrate to other countries because of the benefits provided under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's welfare schemes. 

"How come minorities from our neighbouring countries prefer to come to India & our minorities don't migrate?" he tweeted.

Owaisi responded sharply, saying, "According to Hon'ble Minister Against Minorities, if we don't migrate it means we are happy. Actually, we are not in the habit of fleeing: we did not run away from the British, we did not run away during partition, and we did not run away because of Jammu, Nellie, Gujarat, Moradabad, Delhi etc massacres."

"Our history is proof that we neither collaborate with our oppressors nor do we hide from them. We know how to fight for our democratic rights and we will inshallah," Owaisi said. 

Owaisi urged Rijiju not to compare Indian Muslims to minorities in "failed states" like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

"We are not asking to be compared with other minorities of other countries. We are not asking for more than what the majority community gets. We are demanding what the Constitution promises: social, economic, and political justice," he said.

ends 

In 1999, Pak army disowned him ... In 2025 Munir hails 'Pak Kargil War hero' ...... :::: Indian Brigadier had a role !!

Pakistan's Kargil War hero .... how a letter from Indian Brigadier MPS Bajwa revealed his bravery first  !!

After being fatally wounded in machine-gun fire during close combat, Khan lost his life on July 5.

His bravery earned him the Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan's highest military honour, posthumously.

After the Indian Army captured Tiger Hill, Captain Sher Khan's body was recovered and identified through documents he was carrying. But it wasn't until Indian Brigadier Bajwa acknowledged his bravery that Pakistan recognised him and posthumously awarded him the Nishan-e-Haider.

"Yes, Captain Karnal Sher Khan of 9 NLI (Pakistan) fought against my unit (8 SIKH) at Tiger Hill, but Pakistan refused to take his body. The appreciation of his bravery was written by me and paper inserted in his pocket. Subsequently he was given the highest gallantry award," Brigadier Bajwa (retired) wrote on X in 2019.

snap credit - 'India Today' 

Pakistan, in fact, had initially refused to accept his body, revealed an Indian press release from 1999.

"The callousness and inhumanity with which they [the Pakistani forces] are persisting in this fiction is demonstrated in the current matter concerning the bodies of two officers of the Pakistan Army who had died in action on the Indian side of the Line of Control in Kargil. 

The body of Captain Imtiaz Malik of 165 Mortar Regiment was found at Point 4875 in the Mushkoh sub-sector. The body of Captain Karnal Sher of 12 Northern Light Infantry was found on Tiger Hill in the Dras sub-sector. 

The identities of these two officers were established by correspondence found on their persons. Both bodies are in the possession of the Indian Army authorities," the Indian Government said on July 15, 1999.

As Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, along with the top military brass, paid tribute to Kargil War hero, Captain Karnal Sher Khan, on his 26th martyrdom anniversary, it's worth remembering that it was an Indian Brigadier's letter that first ensured Khan's bravery didn't go unrecognised. 

Pakistan had initially in 1999 disowned Sher Khan and refused to claim his body from Indian soil.  

On Saturday, the Pakistani Army and the government marked the 26th martyrdom anniversary of Captain Karnal Sher Khan with military honours at his tomb in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Field Marshal Munir, alongside senior military officials and Sher Khan's family, paid tribute to the Kargil war hero who was posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Haider.

"During the Kargil conflict in 1999, Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed, a symbol of unwavering courage and patriotism, sacrificed his life while defending the motherland with unparalleled valour. He remains an eternal source of inspiration for the Armed Forces and the nation," Pakistan's DG-ISPR posted on X on Munir's visit to Khan's village.

During the 1999 Kargil War, Karnal Sher Khan of the Pakistani Army served as a Captain with the 12th Northern Light Infantry. At 17,000 feet in Gultari, Khan was leading his unit when the Indian Army launched a fierce counterattack to take over Tiger Hill, a strategic post.

Two Indian Army battalions, with machine guns and artillery support, launched a fierce assault to claim the strategic heights, to push back the intruders in what came to be one of the bloodiest battles of the Kargil War. Captain Sher Khan's unit was heavily outnumbered.

ends 

Mix of Congress, Muslim League and Marxism ... the Cocktail :::: Jyoti Malhotra, 'spy' travel vlogger was once Kerala Govt's "influencer" to boost Tourism

Tourism is one of the mainstays of Kerala - romanticised as God's own country. 

But the socio-political monopoly in the state is held by a cocktail politics. A mix of Marxism, Congress, and the Muslim League.

The saffron polity is marginalised and even hated by "Sickulars". 

Jyoti Malhotra, a travel vlogger from Haryana's Sirsa now under arrest on espionage charges, was once hosted by the Kerala government as part of its influencer campaign to promote tourism in the state.

Jyoti Malhotra was taken into custody by the Hisar police from her residence on May 16. She remains under investigation for her alleged links to Pakistani intelligence operatives. 

According to news agency ANI, a Right to Information (RTI) query revealed that Malhotra was among 41 social media influencers whose trips were fully funded by the state government under an initiative to market Kerala as a global tourist destination. 

The state bore the cost of their travel, accommodation and food, and even engaged a private agency to assist the influencers with video shoots during their stay.

Kerala Tourism Minister PA Mohammad Riyas defended the decision, saying the government had no knowledge of Malhotra's alleged espionage links at that time. 

"We had no clue about any such connections when she was invited. It has all come out only now," Riyas said.  

The BJP criticised the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government, questioning why the backgrounds of influencers invited for the campaign were not thoroughly checked. 

"RTI reveals Pakistani spy Jyoti Malhotra visited Kerala on Left government invite & was state guest in a sense courtesy Tourism Dept. So Bharat Mata is blocked and Pak Spies are given RED CARPET by Left? 

Tourism Minister Mohammad Riyas is son in law of Vijayan. He should be sacked.. and investigated," BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a post on X.

Jyoti, who was arrested on May 16, just days after Operation Sindoor, was among 41 social media influencers engaged by the Kerala Tourism Department between January 1, 2024, and May 21, 2025, official RTI documents have revealed. 

During the state-sponsored promotional campaign, she travelled to Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha, and Munnar, with the government covering her travel costs and providing her an honorarium for the assignment.

ends 

Communism and Propaganda go hand in hand !! China used its missions to foil Rafale jets' sales after Op Sindoor

In a move to harm the Rafale's reputation, China's foreign missions sought to persuade countries that ordered the French-made fighter not to buy them and encourage others to go for Chinese-made jets, a French military official said.  

It may be mentioned that the missile strikes deep inside Pakistan during Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps were not just calibrated but also had a high impact. And India's weapons of choice were the Scalp cruise missiles and HAMMER precision-guided munitions that were equipped on the Rafale fighter jets.

Missiles rained down on nine locations in Pakistan, including Bahawalpur and Muridke, the strongholds of terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba respectively.  

China sought to undermine Rafale's global reputation, French officials said

China's foreign embassies asked buyers not to buy Rafale planes

Disinformation campaign aimed to promote Chinese-made fighter jets

China ran a disinformation campaign against Rafale fighter jets, using its embassies to undermine the sales of the French high-tech advanced planes following their use by India during Operation Sindoor. The development came months after China's 'all-weather ally' Pakistan claimed it downed three Rafales during the four-day military conflict with India. 

However, Eric Trappier, the CEO of Dassault Aviation, the French company that makes Rafale jets, called Pakistan's claim "inaccurate".  

Recently, India's Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, admitted for the first time that an unspecified number of its fighter jets were downed during the hostilities with Pakistan. However, he dismissed Pakistan's claims of shooting down Rafales, saying they were "absolutely incorrect".   

French military officials said the disinformation campaign included viral posts on social media, manipulated imagery showing supposed Rafale debris, AI-generated content and video-game depictions to simulate supposed combat, according to The Associated Press.

More than 1,000 social media accounts newly created as the India-Pakistan conflict erupted also spread a narrative of Chinese technological superiority, according to French researchers who specialise in online disinformation.

According to France's Defence Ministry, the Rafale was targeted by "a vast campaign of disinformation" that "sought to promote the superiority of alternative equipment, notably of Chinese design".

"The Rafale was not randomly targeted. It is a highly capable fighter jet, exported abroad and deployed in a high-visibility theatre," the ministry wrote on its website.

The ministry also said the Rafale was made a target in China's disinformation campaign, saying it represented a "strategic French offering".

Over the last decade, India's defence capability has increased manifold.  

After 1999, the Kargil Review Committee Report after scrutinizing things in details had emphasized the need for changes in national security system and for evolving a better defence and strategic management.

A Report from the Group of Ministers had said - "Indeed, in just the last decade, India’s security scenario has witnessed nothing short of sea change as a result of the end of the Cold War, the proxy war in Kashmir, militancy fuelled from abroad in many parts of the country, the Revolution in Military Affairs and the increasing nuclearisation of the neighbourhood.”

Four top ministers in the Vajpayee cabinet - L K Advani (Home), George Fernandes (Defence), Jaswant Singh (External Affairs) and Yashwant Sinha (Finance) had worked in details and had stated among others things external environment and internal situation of a country do not subsist in watertight compartments but act and react on each other in ways which affect its security. "In today's interdependent world, the distinction between internal and external security concerns often gets blurred", the GoM said. 

***  First CDS, Gen Bipin Rawat, now deceased, had alerted the country of a 2.5 front war -against Pakistan, against China and of course against enemies within the country. PM Narendra Modi had said - "...Bharat dukh mein haen, lekin na hum apni Gati rokten haen, aur na hi hamari pragati.... Wherever General Bipin Rawat maybe, in the days to come, he will see India moving ahead with new resolutions". 

*** Brig Trigunsh Mukherjee wrote -- "Crises, remote areas and calamities always see the army as the first and sometimes the only rays of hope". 

ends  

One ED case involving a militant leader surfaces in Nagaland ::::: But to hope for eradicating Corruption completely is like pinning jelly to a wall

Blogger

The law of the land is taking its course. A special court has issued a proclamation against Nikki Sumi of NSCN (K) declaring him an absconder in a money laundering case being pursued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Guwahati Zonal Office.  

In Delhi, I get to meet politicians from across India and from various parties. They would often admit that unlike the Congress era, the BJP high command may encourage politicking and so on; but nothing is today manageable with money !

This particular ED case is just one case and about one individual. There could be several others facing such trial or have been lucky not to face any trial so far.

But what lies in the womb of time is not known to us.

Corruption and economic offences like money laundering were almost like expected norms in the past. But the fact of the matter is 'Corruption' erodes people's trust in its leaders. 

In the context of Nagaland - leaders belong to two broad divisions - underground and overground. 

Corruption has been working as a profoundly harmful force for the Naga society. But there is no social anguish against it. At least no such anguish is visible. 

Hence the menace has continued to act as a corrosive harming the society.

Those in authorities do not have much in credit in terms of fighting the menace. Just take a look at the following figures. 

In 2023 March, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report of the Union Home Ministry said that under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (PC Act) - Cases Registered by Anti-Corruption Bureau, Vigilance and Lokayukta in Nagaland in 2021 was only one.

If you are surprised, in Mizoram it stood at 4 and Manipur recorded 7. Yet again the score came to zero in Meghalaya. But in two other BJP-ruled Arunachal Pradesh and Assam the figure stood at 12 and 16 respectively.

For Prevention of Corruption Act & Related Sections of IPC Cases Reported - the figure for Nagaland stood at mere one in 2019 and 2021 and it was 4 in 2020, according to 'Crime in India - 2021'. 

Under Police Disposal of Cases by Anti-Corruption Bureau, Vigilance and Lokayukta under Prevention of  Corruption Act and Related Sections of IPC (State/UT-wise) - 2021, the figures for Nagaland -- 25 cases pending and there were only two chargesheets. 

The NCRB report states that the genesis of crime can be traced to interplay of various social, economic, demographic, local and institutional factors. The presumption that crime occurs because of the failures of police therefore exhibits a lack of mature understanding of the theories of criminal behavior, it notes.

It further said that any comparison among states/districts/regions/social groups etc. on the basis of these published data alone will be too simplistic and is best avoided.

Long back, in Nagaland, about government-contractors deal, it used to be said  that payments are received on earth for works done in heaven.   

My experience with Delhi intellectuals and political class gives me an instinct-guided feeling that hundreds of Modi detractors are waiting in the wings for the Prime Minister to fail. They do not mind Modi even to 'fail' on the Naga peace parleys. 

Normalcy and peace in Nagaland are not their concern. There would be know-all intellectuals in Kolkata and Delhi too. So take media reports and opinion pieces with a pinch of salt. 

They all had perhaps said Narendra Modi is losing 2019 and 2024 polls; and now they could easily say the Solution to the Naga issue would also fail. 

Sadistic pleasure is only a small reason. There are other reasons too. 

During Congress era, the right lobbying could fetch expected results. Be these for national awards or contracts or even some much sought after postings. This was also true to business and also getting key political appointments.

Next time you meet the neta class in Kolkata, Delhi Dimapur and Kohima - quiz them on this.

My plea has been that things have changed a lot since 2014. If some Netas at the national level are today frustrated; they deserve sympathies.  

In 2014, there was hunger for change among the Indian voters. Modi and BJP played ‘dream merchants’ at a time when people’s mood was down-slide.

Narendra Modi represented different aspirations to different sets of people and that’s the yardstick of a mass appeal of a leader.  

This was well reflected in 2019 when Rahul Gandhi's allegation on corruption related to Rafale had boomeranged. In 2024, even many BJP nominees suffered and the Congress tally increased.

People in Nagaland love Boleros. But they will also clamour with their version of 'hunger for change'.

ends  

Naga-Kuki differences intensify in Manipur :::: Now, Foothill Nagas ban SoO Camps of Kukis and Zomis within Naga ancestral areas

The Foothills Nagas Coordination Committee of Manipur also Bans any "Unauthorized Structures including bunkers etc in Naga-Inhabited Areas" 

A Consultative meeting of the Committee at Tarung, Imphal decided that no construction of bunkers, makeshift shelters, wooden crosses, unauthorized gates or barricades shall be permitted within Naga-inhabited areas. 

"These unauthorized activities are viewed as provocative and a violation of the customary land rights and territorial integrity of the Naga people," said a statement from the Coordination Committee Secretary B Robin.

 The statement said, as scheduled, a consultative meeting of Nagas from the foothill areas was convened on July 5, 2025 at Tarung, Imphal, under the aegis of the Foothills Naga Co-ordination Committee (FNCC) to deliberate on the prevailing situation affecting the region.

"The meeting witnessed the participation of Naga leaders, elders, intellectuals and representatives from various organizations. A thorough and candid discussion was held concerning the increasing challenges and existential threats confronting the Naga people and its ancestral lands".

Following comprehensive deliberations, the House unanimously adopted the following resolutions to safeguard the rights, identity, and territorial integrity of the Nagas:

Resolution No. 1

Prohibition of SoO Camps within Naga Ancestral Territories:

The House unanimously resolved that no camps or settlements of Kuki militant groups currently under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement shall be permitted within the ancestral territories of the Nagas. Such encroachments are deemed a direct threat to the peace, security, and demographic balance of the Naga people.

Another resolution said:

No project under the guise of infrastructure development shall be undertaken in Naga territories, if it infringes upon the rights, identity, or survival of the Naga people. Any such undertaking must be preceded by transparent consultation and must obtain the prior knowledge, and informed consent of the concerned Naga communities.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the collective resolve to protect the ancestral lands, cultural heritage, and political rights of the Nagas through peaceful yet determined means, B Robin said. 

ends 

Nagas may complain that Indian Democracy is messy .... but everyone has to admit it is "NEVER an obstacle" to peace and prosperity

Collective Wounds:

#peace #NNPG #NSCN 

Some organisations are now out to destroy the peace process in Nagaland. They have started flagging off 'uncomfortable issues' such as declaration of Naga independence and even a memorandum submitted long back in 1929 to the British colonial masters.

These are unwarranted bogies in today's reality. Those who slam New Delhi by raising  such issues actually want to reap benefits. But they want to deprive simpleton people some facets of development.

Poverty and health issues are areas of deep concern for masses while for some few hundred lakhs remain like small pocket money. 

The refrain from New Delhi is well measured. Do not look back at old wounds and mistakes. The forward looking approach therefore ought to be the two preliminary pacts - the Agreed Position of 2017 and the Framework Agreement of 2015.

In fact, on the hyped occasion when the latter pact was inked by the then interlocutor R N Ravi and NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah; Prime Minister Narendra Modi had ensured that such a key development should happen in his presence.

Often a Dream Merchant : Can Namo deliver Solution ?

The August first week of 2015 was already hit with cacophony in Indian Parliament. A number of Congress MPs were suspended by the Speaker Sumitra Mahajan over some other national issues.  But the Prime Minister understood the significance of the Framework Agreement. 

Modi had faith  in his personal political instinct. He believed that a vibrant mix of ethnicities, cultures, religions and political credit seeking-blame giving approaches actually give LIFE to the Democracy. Hence in his speech on the solemn occasion, the Prime Minister has said:  

"The Naga courage and commitment are legendary. Equally, they represent the highest levels of humanism. Their system of village administration and grass-root democracy should be an inspiration for the rest of the country.

The respect for the infirm and elders, the status of women in society, sensitivity to Mother Nature, and the emphasis on social equality is a natural way of Naga life. These are values that should constitute the foundation of the society that we all seek."

These are not ordinary words. These reflect a big advantage our Bharat enjoys as a nation. It's not any rocket science. Democracy and India are inseparable.  Moreover, one BJP leader Jay Panda had said a few years back -- "What's unique about India is that has survived as a Democracy despite consistent predictions of its demise". 

  

Nagas have in the past taken help from countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh (East Pakistan) and China. But today's generation of Nagas will appreciate the difference between what we offer in India and what is perhaps 'already decided' in China or even Pakistan. The Bangladeshi chaos need not be mentioned at all.  

None in India question the Naga 'aspirations' for a better tomorrow. But the past experience would tell any reasonable man/woman that had things turned otherwise in the 1950s and 1960s; what would have been the fate of things in South East Asia in the Indian neighbourhood. Look at the situation in next door Myanmar. 

Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore may be better economies today but all of them have kept Democracy under leash. The giant China monitors all kinds of social unrest and imposes heavy hands of discipline and military to quash dissent.  

There is a 'revived' debate that Nagas had declared independence on Aug 14, 1947.

The Govt of India functionaries - when contacted - do not want to speak on these in 2025. One of them proudly argued - "Nagas are as patriots as me".

Another informed personality maintained -- "I will quote what the Prime Minister Modi had said on Aug 3, 2015 ... the Naga problem is only a legacy of the British. The colonial rulers by design kept the Nagas isolated and insulated. They suppressed the reality that the Nagas were an extremely evolved society".  

Well. This also makes sense.

But what would have made a better sense and what the functionary forgets to tell us in that speech, Modi also had pointed out that - 

"The British colonial rulers propagated terrible myths about Nagas in the rest of the country". 

Blogger with an Angami Naga

The fact of the matter is even after years of negotiations, the Govt of India is not showing any desperation to abrogate the ceasefire that was announced in 1997 when India's Home Minister was a veteran communist Indrajit Gupta.  

Basically, the Modi government is giving out a message. We believe any structure of a good governance and Democracy can work better when it 'welcomes' every shades of opinion and every protagonists of identity politics in it. 

Look at the intent of those who are flagging off most controversial issues such as Plebiscite, declaration of Naga independence and Simon Commission. 

'Brighter Kashmir' newspaper

Now let us take a jaundiced view of the declaration of Naga Independence. The Govt of India will soon put forward an argument that as late as 1956, the Federal Govt of Nagaland was not established.

In fact, even before that -- around 1954 ; at the Yemishe village, "....the opinion of NNC stood divided on the issue of organisation of the Armed wing. Most of the NNC members and leaders opposed Army wing being organised in the hope of getting Naga sovereignty restored without arms". 

(Source book 'Hails and Blames - An account of Naga Independence Struggle' by Scato Swu.

He was the first Naga graduate to join the Naga national movement. Swu was FGN President (Kedahge) between 1959 and September 1967.

Hence the New Delhi's counter theory to those raising controversial issues will be - the fact that the NNC could survive along with the spirit of Naga aspiration without any armed wing -- it talks volumes about Naga struggle and also the obvious that the so-called 'government apparatus' was not established. 

This is not a drawback or a fault-line; but a fact of history. 

This chapter of history is also a tribute to Indian democracy. Of course, the violence due to clashes between Assam police and Nagas were reported from time to time. But violence occurred even in Telangana region in far off Deccan. 

We will have to draw an inference here that the Indian nationalism emerged hand in hand with a pledge to uphold democracy.  

About three decades back any new visitor to Delhi would also visit Jantar Mantar. Located not far off from Indian parliament or the busy Connaught Place, the pillars and stone curves created one of most reliable scientific instruments. It was a case of future looking.

If that can be a forward-looking avenue; in today's world too Indians and the Indian government want to 'do something ahead' of the time. The Naga issue is such a paradox.

If the problem is resolved and there is guarantee of peace; the Govt of India's Act East policy will herald an era of immense progress and prosperity for the people in northeast, Nagas and Manipur people included.  

Saying no to Solution is therefore a risky proposition for Nagas as well as for those in Delhi who want to deliver something for the legacy. 

ends 

Nagas would clamour for an early Solution