Nitin A Gokhale

All stories by Nitin A Gokhale

The war that helped India regain its military confidence

The war that helped India regain its military confidence

Rediff.com26 Aug 2015

'India was in no position to wage another war in 1965, having suffered a morale-shattering defeat in 1962. The three services were in the middle of a modernisation and expansion phase and therefore not fully trained or battle-ready.'

Talking terror to Pakistan only agenda of Sunday's meeting

Talking terror to Pakistan only agenda of Sunday's meeting

Rediff.com20 Aug 2015

If the talks fail to move forward -- as is most likely -- India has retained the option of unleashing a disproportionate response in the coming weeks on the border, reveals Nitin A Gokhale.

Peace at last, peace at last. Thank God Almighty, peace at last.

Peace at last, peace at last. Thank God Almighty, peace at last.

Rediff.com4 Aug 2015

'According to top government sources, the territorial boundaries of the existing North-Eastern states will not be disturbed although cultural integration of Nagas living in states other than Nagaland will be facilitated through special measures,' reveals Nitin A Gokhale.

Expert panel wants CAG to pre-audit defence deals

Expert panel wants CAG to pre-audit defence deals

Rediff.com24 Jul 2015

An expert committee has recommended to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar that supply of equipment need not be blocked even if bribery charges emerge.

Exclusive! 'Sri Lanka will never pose a threat to India'

Exclusive! 'Sri Lanka will never pose a threat to India'

Rediff.com4 Jul 2015

'We have nothing to gain by helping any other country to become a threat to India,' former Sri Lanka president Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is on the comeback trail, tells Rediff.com in an exclusive interview.

Army launches huge operation against North-East terrorists

Army launches huge operation against North-East terrorists

Rediff.com5 Jun 2015

Although India has sought inputs from the Myanmar army since most of those involved in Thursday's ambush would have sneaked across into Myanmar, the fresh operations would smoke out insurgents based in hideouts on the Indian side along the border.

At last, an Indian leader who knows how to deal with China

At last, an Indian leader who knows how to deal with China

Rediff.com19 May 2015

'Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears to have gone beyond the cautious approach usually advocated by the tightly-knit 'China group' in the ministry of external affairs in dealing with Beijing.'

At last, an Indian leader who knows how to deal with China

At last, an Indian leader who knows how to deal with China

Rediff.com19 May 2015

'Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears to have gone beyond the cautious approach usually advocated by the tightly-knit 'China group' in the ministry of external affairs in dealing with Beijing.'

The fauj does not advertise secularism, but practises it every day

The fauj does not advertise secularism, but practises it every day

Rediff.com2 Apr 2015

'Those of us who have seen the Indian military from close quarters for decades now are outraged at Admiral Sushil Kumar's irresponsible and in my view flippant remark,' says Nitin A Gokhale. 'What makes people like Julio Riberio and Admiral Sushil Kumar, who rose to the highest positions in their respective professions, play the victim? Especially when it is not clear if all the attacks on Christians and Christian establishments had their roots in religious intolerance.'

Heed the lessons from the lynching

Heed the lessons from the lynching

Rediff.com7 Mar 2015

'For years, a whispering campaign against the non-Nagas -- and occasional violence -- has dominated the local discourse, but Farid Khan's lynching was unprecedented in its ferocity.'

Winning Hearts or Fighting Terror? Army's Kashmir dilemma

Winning Hearts or Fighting Terror? Army's Kashmir dilemma

Rediff.com30 Jan 2015

'All commanding officers and their superiors are sure to have taken note of the betrayal that killed Colonel Rai. Corrective measures will be taken quickly. And the Indian Army will continue to do its duty without rancour and remorse.'

Time for Sri Lanka and India to reset ties

Time for Sri Lanka and India to reset ties

Rediff.com23 Jan 2015

President Maithripala Sirisena's government in Colombo has clearly decided to restore some balance in its diplomatic outreach, which presents a great opportunity for India.

The State has abdicated its responsbility for Assam

The State has abdicated its responsbility for Assam

Rediff.com29 Dec 2014

'Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh will have to treat these militias for what they are: Criminals armed with deadly weapons. Otherwise, nothing will distinguish the National Democratic Alliance government from the ten-year long perfidy of the UPA in Assam.'

Why not a Victory in Bangladesh Day?

Why not a Victory in Bangladesh Day?

Rediff.com16 Dec 2014

'The failure to remember the martyrs on a grand scale is a national problem. As a nation-State, India time and again fails to honour its true heroes: The men in uniform.'

How social media is denting the army's image in Kashmir

How social media is denting the army's image in Kashmir

Rediff.com9 Dec 2014

'With increasing use of social media for instant communication, the armed services better find a quick solution to the new challenge they face or else continue to remain on the back foot despite doing sterling work in combating the proxy war in Kashmir.'

Army is fighting a war, and not terrorism, in J&K

Army is fighting a war, and not terrorism, in J&K

Rediff.com8 Dec 2014

'In both the attacks last week, terrorists had come equipped for a prolonged fight and were eventually prepared to die. This is a new breed of fidayeen Pakistan has invested in.'

Desperate ISI will try more terror attacks in J&K

Desperate ISI will try more terror attacks in J&K

Rediff.com5 Dec 2014

The assessment in the security establishment is that in view of the huge turnout in the first two phase of polling there will be more desperate attacks in the next few weeks before winter intensifies and all possible infiltration routes become inaccessible due to snow, says Nitin A Gokhale.

Why AFSPA can be lifted, not repealed

Why AFSPA can be lifted, not repealed

Rediff.com17 Nov 2014

Lifting the AFSPA can certainly be attempted but the provisions of the AFSPA, as an emergency law that empowers the army -- the nation's instrument of last resort -- must continue to remain on the statute books given the increasingly violent and uncertain times that the subcontinent is likely to face in coming years, says Nitin A Gokhale.

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