All stories by CLAUDE ARPI
The day the Dalai Lama came to India
Rediff.com25 Mar 2019Claude Arpi's fascinating account of the Dalai Lama's arrival in Tawang in March 1959.
The IAF hero awarded the Maha Vir Chakra twice
Rediff.com15 Mar 2019Claude Arpi reveals how Wing Commander Jag Mohan Nath won a second Maha Vir Chakra in the 1965 War.
What if Nehru had used the IAF in 1962?
Rediff.com2 Mar 2019'If we had sent a few airplanes (into Tibet), we could have wiped the Chinese out.' 'And everything could have been different in the 1962 War.' 'They did not believe me there was no Chinese air force.' 'Can you imagine what would have happened if we had used the IAF at that time?' 'The Chinese would have never dared do anything down the line.'
World must remember Indian heroism in WWI
Rediff.com7 Dec 2018'The Indian Army served with honour and distinction in France and Flanders, East Africa, Gallipoli, Aden, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Palestine, Transcaspia, Persia and even China.' 'The sacrifice of India's soldiers was consigned to the dustbin of history in the post-colonial world.'
A French Tiger in India
Rediff.com15 Nov 2018'Whether I die in Calcutta or in Paris, on a Wednesday or a Saturday, it does not matter, but you would not want me to come to India's door and then return to France without having visited India.' 'Either I will die or I will visit India!' Claude Arpi hails Georges Clemenceau, French prime minister during the Great War, a great man who loved India.
India and the Dalai Lama's Successor
Rediff.com9 Oct 2018'While wishing the Tibetan leader a long and healthy life, one can hope for a 'selection' of the Tibetan leader in the Indian Himalayas.' 'It is vital for Tibetan Buddhism, but it is also in India's political interests,' says Claude Arpi.
'The past has a knack of exploding in our faces'
Rediff.com19 Sep 2018'People beat their chests when the Babri Masjid was brought down, not realising that it was just one event in a chain going back centuries; to look at the last link or two in isolation is absurd.'
Turbulent times ahead for Xi Jinping
Rediff.com8 Aug 2018'Does it mean that we are witnessing the end of an era?' 'Probably not, but the post-Trump trade war has certainly brought a lot of instability in China,' notes Claude Arpi.
The Rafale 'secret' clause
Rediff.com23 Jul 2018'India placed the order, primarily due to the IAF's 'critical operational necessity'.' 'The complexity of the IAF's requirements delayed the process for months.' 'It is these requirements which cannot be made public.' 'Can you image Indian politicians publicly discussing the pros and the cons of such military equipment?' 'It would provide India's enemies with indications about the IAF's tactical plans in case of a conflict.' 'It is crucial that they should remain secret to protect India's defence preparedness,' explains Claude Arpi.
Could the Thai rescue have happened in India?
Rediff.com12 Jul 2018'The Thai junta, who immediately took control of the operations in a military manner, took the decision to involve the best world professionals for the rescue.' 'This made a huge difference.' 'It is highly probable that in India, the authorities would have said, "We have the expertise, we don't need foreign aid",' says Claude Arpi.
The Legend of Zoru
Rediff.com14 Jun 2018Claude Arpi salutes Lieutenant General Zorawar Chand Bakshi, India's most decorated general, who passed into the ages recently.
The Beauties of Sikkim
Rediff.com21 May 2018'The Himalayan people may not represent a large or politically influential section of the population, but India's security depends on them.' 'Let us hope Sikkim remains a beacon of stability,' says Claude Arpi after a recent visit to the picturesque north eastern state.
Why the Dalai Lama Matters
Rediff.com1 Apr 2018'The Tibetan movement will never turn violent during the Dalai Lama's life-time.'
'In its imperial mood, China is surrounding India'
Rediff.com1 Apr 2018'It is very much a danger.' 'With Tibet following the India tradition of ahimsa and the global visibility of the Dalai Lama who embodies these values, he should be supported by India as a diplomat.' 'It would be in India's self-interest and instead of being embarrassed about his presence, India should recognise this (role).' 'By appeasing China, India does not get anything in return; they (the Chinese have not stopped) claiming Arunachal, part of Kashmir, etc.'
Why France is India's best friend in Europe
Rediff.com11 Mar 2018'Over the last two decades, the India-French relationship has grown steadily, no major political difference having darkened the sky between Paris and Delhi,' says Claude Arpi.
'May Auroville serve as a beacon to the world'
Rediff.com27 Feb 2018'May it be the guardian which calls for breaking down narrow walls of the mind.' 'May it continue to invite everyone to celebrate the possibilities of humanity's one-ness.' Claude Arpi salutes 50 years of Auroville, a Grand Experiment in Living.
The Indian Village in Tibet
Rediff.com13 Feb 2018'India should today tell China to provide proper facilities in Minsar for Indian yatris visiting Mt Kailash,' says Claude Arpi.
Xi may not be all powerful
Rediff.com26 Oct 2017'He still has to deal with party norms and traditions and has been careful to follow the order of seniority,' points out Claude Arpi.
India-China stand-off: The truth from the Dragon's mouth
Rediff.com10 Aug 2017A new book reproduces original Chinese maps that contradict Chinese propaganda. The book reveals Chinese intelligence admissions that Beijing never maintained any army base, customs office or other government function in the disputed area until 1983.
Does India need to be invaded by China to wake up?
Rediff.com26 Jul 2017In all the noise surrounding the Dok La confrontation, Claude Arpi focuses on a crucial issue that has hardly been covered -- the construction of roads for the armed forces and the local population to reach the most remote border posts.