According to nuclear physicist Dr K. Santhanam, project leader for the 1998 nuclear tests, India’s thermonuclear test was a failure. Being privy to the highly classified actual nuclear weapons designs, yields and data, he has recommended minimum two to three thermonuclear nuclear tests to obtain desired results. The establishment, including National Security Advisor, M.K. Narayanan and the scientific advisor to the Prime Minister Dr R. Chidambaram, have rejected Santhanam’s claim.
PLA Intrudes Along the LAC
Media reported regular unabashed PLA intrusions into Indian territories, especially in Sikkim, along the 4,056km Line of Actual Control. The chief minister of Uttarakhand, Romesh Pokhriyal has confirmed intrusions into his state. What is noteworthy about these alleged intrusions is that according to New Delhi, China has accepted Sikkim as a part of India, and the alignment of the LAC in Uttarakhand which falls in the Middle sector was mutually accepted by India and China in 2001. New Delhi, including the Prime Minister, NSA, chief of the army staff, and the foreign secretary, has downplayed the intrusions as nothing alarming.
Army Wants Patrol Curbs Along The LAC Lifted
The army has reportedly pushed for a rethink on patrolling restrictions in certain ‘sensitive areas’ along the LAC. The China Study Group (CSG) had in the past placed restrictions on the army in certain areas of the LAC so as to avoid any confrontation or clashes with the PLA. In these areas, the army is not allowed to go right up to the LAC while China has imposed no such restrictions on the PLA.
China objects to Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal
The Dalai Lama’s planned visit to Arunachal Pradesh in November has triggered a controversy with China objecting to it but India asserted that no restrictions would be put on the travel of the Tibetan spiritual leader. The Dalai Lama is undertaking the visit apparently to deliver speeches there. China expressed ‘strong concern’ over the proposed visit, saying it ‘further reveals the Dalai clique’s anti-China and separatist essence’. India, which maintains that China has no say on affairs related to Arunachal Pradesh, felt the Chinese objections are unwarranted as the Tibetan leader is free to travel anywhere in the country.
Army’s Special Forces for Naxal Operations
Union home minister has become the first senior political leader to say that the Army’s Special Forces may be employed for anti-Naxal operations. P. Chidambaram was quoted as saying that: ‘It may, and I underline the word may, become necessary to induct Special Forces of the army, like the Para-commandos, to supplement the efforts of Paramilitary and state police. If such a need is felt, we might consider it.’ He, however, has ruled out the use of regular army for anti-Naxal operations.
Increased Infiltration on Line of Control
Addressing a conference during his recent US visit, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said that the threat from Pakistan has not diminished and that there has been an increase in infiltration from across the border since May this year. Chidambaram said he has sensitised the US leadership and officials about India’s views in this regard. India remains vigilant, he said, expressing concern about the ground situation. The estimate of number of infiltrations based upon human intelligence and technical intelligence have reached around 50 to 60 a month. Meanwhile, in Chennai, the COAS, General Deepak Kapoor gave a similar assessment on infiltration.
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