We are going to celebrate soon the 40th Anniversary of our victory over Pakisthan, in 1971 war which resulted in the creation f Bangladesh . That was a magic moment to be cherished for long, by every Indian.
When political will is matched by meticulous army planning and resoluteness, wonders result. Credit goes to the then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Army Chief. Gen. Sam Manekshaw, among others.
Retrospectively, one believes that solid Soviet Backing was the principal reason for Mrs Gandhi going ahead with her plans. There were reports that while war was at its peak in East Pakisthan, US seventh fleet (Pacific) was on its way to the Bay of Bengal and that a Soviet missile fleet was following, stealthily.
Also it is obvious that had Pakisthan possessed N-capability then , Indira might not have preferred military means, to solve the refugee problem emanating from the then East Pakisthan.
The creation of Bangladesh is the main reason for the menacing nature of Pakisthan towards India.The next important reason for that nation to indulge in covert war is India 's conventional military superiority and superior N-capability.
Both nations being nuclear capable, it should be the solemn duty of the heads of governments to ensure that the relations are normalized at the earliest. Give and take should be the basic principle, in any ticklish question, especially Kashmir .
Pakisthan should rein in terrorists by all means. India on its part, should understand the difficulties being encountered by the Pakisthani government due to internal bickering, and do anything possible to bring back the relations to the normal track.
India cannot also be expected to be patient eternally just because Pakisthan has N-weapons, in the face of continuing terrorist strikes, inside India emanating from that nation.
Cuban missile crisis of 1962 which brought the world closer than ever before or since, to Nuclear apocalypse, is an amazing case study in this regard.
With more than thousands of N-weapons on both sides, Kennedy was reported to have said that he would have no option but to order a N-strike over USSR , if the Soviets attacked Berlin , following an American air raid and invasion of Cuba ! The Soviets had sent more than 40 thousand troops, and Intermediate and Medium range N-weapons as well as battle field N-weapons, to defend Cuba against a probable US attack.
Fortunately possible end of civilization was averted due to the deft handling of the crisis by Kennedy and Khrushev. Russia accepted to withdraw its offensive weapons from Cuba and America assured that it would not invade Cuba . USA also agreed to secretly remove N-missiles from Turkey . Moscow could be attacked within minutes from there!
During the naval blockade by American navy around Cuba , against Soviet ships carrying N-weapons, a US spy plane was shot down over Cuba by Russian Anti aircraft battery and another strayed in to Soviet territory, near Alaska . These incidents were ignored by both sides, gracefully.
Here it is relevant to note that Kennedy did not heed the advice of most of his aides, for an all out air strike against Cuba . Also he brushed aside Generals' advices, for the same, since he had lost faith in them, following the Bay of Pigs fiasco. That proved good for the world! Instead of air strikes, he ordered a Naval blockade.
During the peak of Cuban Missile crisis, more than 2000 N- bombs were kept ready, in missiles and air borne bombers, by US to be hurled over USSR !
Russians in Cuba also possessed powerful N-bombs to be hurled into America , which had lethal power more than all bombs used in the entire human history, in case of invasion, against Cuba ! They had battlefield N-weapons to be used against American infantry units, landing in Cuban soil!
Castro and Che Guvera were ready to fight and die for their ideals, where as Khrushev, believed communism should be spread far and wide to live, not to die!
Castro was the ultimate winner who could continue in power for around half a century, following the American assurance of non invasion although economic sanctions continued.
During crisis, Kennedy was reported to have said," I am concerned not only about our country, our people, our future and our hopes, but also young people around the world who might not even know about the confrontation, but whose lives will be snuffed out, who have no saying, at all"
Khrushev was also aware that his country men and future generations would never forgive him, if he did not take adequate steps to avoid a possible III World war.
To avoid such a scenario again, India and Pakisthan should always remember that just before 1947, we had been brothers.
We should develop brotherliness again in the interests of economy and commerce as well as, well being of people, especially younger generation.
People to people contact should be strengthened further in many fields. That will have a positive effect in political sphere too.
Peace in the sub continent will augment the Indian desire to become a super power, and for Pakisthan, her economy will get cured. It is obvious people in both the nations only want these.
We should never allow Americans as well as Chinese to fish in troubled waters here.
Because if war erupts between India and Pakisthan, it may soon turn out to be a N-war consuming everything in its wake, these sixty years of development in all fields apart from millions of people in both the sides.
Leaders, have special responsibility in this regard, both inside the government and outside to create conditions for a viable peace environment, in both the nations.
(This was actually published in Times of India website, during February 2011)
When political will is matched by meticulous army planning and resoluteness, wonders result. Credit goes to the then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Army Chief. Gen. Sam Manekshaw, among others.
Retrospectively, one believes that solid Soviet Backing was the principal reason for Mrs Gandhi going ahead with her plans. There were reports that while war was at its peak in East Pakisthan, US seventh fleet (Pacific) was on its way to the Bay of Bengal and that a Soviet missile fleet was following, stealthily.
Also it is obvious that had Pakisthan possessed N-capability then , Indira might not have preferred military means, to solve the refugee problem emanating from the then East Pakisthan.
The creation of Bangladesh is the main reason for the menacing nature of Pakisthan towards India.The next important reason for that nation to indulge in covert war is India 's conventional military superiority and superior N-capability.
Both nations being nuclear capable, it should be the solemn duty of the heads of governments to ensure that the relations are normalized at the earliest. Give and take should be the basic principle, in any ticklish question, especially Kashmir .
Pakisthan should rein in terrorists by all means. India on its part, should understand the difficulties being encountered by the Pakisthani government due to internal bickering, and do anything possible to bring back the relations to the normal track.
India cannot also be expected to be patient eternally just because Pakisthan has N-weapons, in the face of continuing terrorist strikes, inside India emanating from that nation.
Cuban missile crisis of 1962 which brought the world closer than ever before or since, to Nuclear apocalypse, is an amazing case study in this regard.
With more than thousands of N-weapons on both sides, Kennedy was reported to have said that he would have no option but to order a N-strike over USSR , if the Soviets attacked Berlin , following an American air raid and invasion of Cuba ! The Soviets had sent more than 40 thousand troops, and Intermediate and Medium range N-weapons as well as battle field N-weapons, to defend Cuba against a probable US attack.
Fortunately possible end of civilization was averted due to the deft handling of the crisis by Kennedy and Khrushev. Russia accepted to withdraw its offensive weapons from Cuba and America assured that it would not invade Cuba . USA also agreed to secretly remove N-missiles from Turkey . Moscow could be attacked within minutes from there!
During the naval blockade by American navy around Cuba , against Soviet ships carrying N-weapons, a US spy plane was shot down over Cuba by Russian Anti aircraft battery and another strayed in to Soviet territory, near Alaska . These incidents were ignored by both sides, gracefully.
Here it is relevant to note that Kennedy did not heed the advice of most of his aides, for an all out air strike against Cuba . Also he brushed aside Generals' advices, for the same, since he had lost faith in them, following the Bay of Pigs fiasco. That proved good for the world! Instead of air strikes, he ordered a Naval blockade.
During the peak of Cuban Missile crisis, more than 2000 N- bombs were kept ready, in missiles and air borne bombers, by US to be hurled over USSR !
Russians in Cuba also possessed powerful N-bombs to be hurled into America , which had lethal power more than all bombs used in the entire human history, in case of invasion, against Cuba ! They had battlefield N-weapons to be used against American infantry units, landing in Cuban soil!
Castro and Che Guvera were ready to fight and die for their ideals, where as Khrushev, believed communism should be spread far and wide to live, not to die!
Castro was the ultimate winner who could continue in power for around half a century, following the American assurance of non invasion although economic sanctions continued.
During crisis, Kennedy was reported to have said," I am concerned not only about our country, our people, our future and our hopes, but also young people around the world who might not even know about the confrontation, but whose lives will be snuffed out, who have no saying, at all"
Khrushev was also aware that his country men and future generations would never forgive him, if he did not take adequate steps to avoid a possible III World war.
To avoid such a scenario again, India and Pakisthan should always remember that just before 1947, we had been brothers.
We should develop brotherliness again in the interests of economy and commerce as well as, well being of people, especially younger generation.
People to people contact should be strengthened further in many fields. That will have a positive effect in political sphere too.
Peace in the sub continent will augment the Indian desire to become a super power, and for Pakisthan, her economy will get cured. It is obvious people in both the nations only want these.
We should never allow Americans as well as Chinese to fish in troubled waters here.
Because if war erupts between India and Pakisthan, it may soon turn out to be a N-war consuming everything in its wake, these sixty years of development in all fields apart from millions of people in both the sides.
Leaders, have special responsibility in this regard, both inside the government and outside to create conditions for a viable peace environment, in both the nations.
(This was actually published in Times of India website, during February 2011)
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