Arun Joshi
July 2024 is having a special place in India’s military history – it marks the 25th anniversary of Kargil war that India had won against all odds to reclaim what was its own. This was a saga of betrayal by Pakistan of an unwritten agreement, and at the same time Indian soldiers scripted history with their valour and sacrifices on the Himalayan heights.
It is expected that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join the celebrations of the silver jubilee of victory in Kargil war at war memorial in Drass on July 26, when the Indian army had scored a decisive victory in the Himalayan heights, which many thought was near impossible 25 years ago. He is expected to deliver a message to the nation as to how Indian defence policy would unfold in the years to come . But more important is to focus is breaking the Kargil syndrome
It has both internal and external dimensions . India has to work on the lessons that were inherent in the making of Kargil war – a story of gross intelligence failure and flaws in surveillance – and how to move forward as the challenges continue to mount from within and on borders as well.
Modi has the opportunity to declare his doctrine on was and war-like situations . The national security is paramount as it is imperative for India to achieve the goal of “Viksit Bharat” by 2047. The national security is one of the most important components of this idea and its realization.
This month this year is the occasion to recall everything that Kargil war, imposed on India, defined and left a trail of lessons for the nation. Amidst all the celebrations and recall of the great sacrifices made by soldiers and officers in the forbidding Himalayan heights, it is critically important that the nation and its leadership reflect on the lessons that were delivered by the war 25 years ago and the situation that prevails on the borders from Ladakh to Jammu and the Valley. Somehow Kargil syndrome prevails.
Post-Kargil war, the celebrations are mainly because India was able to reclaim the territory that Pakistan had captured through deceit during the winters of 1998-1999. Pakistani troops had taken advantage of the vacation of the bunkers by Indian troops in Kargil sector. The Indian troops had moved down to less harsh areas during the winter as had been the practice since delineation of Line of Control in 1972. It was agreed by the two armies that they would not stay at the heights during winter season because of the severe wintry conditions but neither side will take advantage of it to alter the status of the LoC. This practice continued for years without any misstep by any side.
It was in the wake of the Lahore declaration in February 1999 when the Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had undertaken a bus journey to the historic city of Lahore in Pakistan to erase bad blood feeling after the atomic explosions a year earlier. India and Pakistan had conducted nuclear explosions one after another in May 1998 – India had exploded nuclear bombs in Pokhran in Rajasthan , while Pakistan did so in Chagai hills of Balochistan . This had created a lot of tensions between the two countries . Vajpayee’s bus journey to Pakistan was to reverse the ill-feelings and tensions as also to establish peace in South Asian region , little knowing that his bus journey for peace would be responded by war in the Kargil heights. That is history now , but an unforgettable one – underlining the repeated betrayals by Pakistan. Such breach of promises continue till today as it continues to sponsor cross-border terrorism.
Today, India is facing a very difficult situation on borders with China in Ladakh, in which Kargil is located . Ladakh was part of J&K state till October 2019 before its bifurcation was announced on August 5, 2019 coinciding with the abrogation of Article 370 , scrapping special status, exclusive privileges and in addition doing away with the statehood . Pakistan has also intensified its cross-border terrorism in Jammu region where 48 soldiers lost their lives in that past three years due to terror attacks by Pakistani terrorists. This, by all calculations , is a move by Pakistan and China to keep the Indian troops on toes . That is what had happened in Kargil 25 years ago , that intention is continuing. This time China is a partner in this misadventure . It presents a very difficult scenario of two-front war for India – with China and Pakistan . It is here where India must break Kargil-type syndrome , that would be the real celebration at this point in time.
Disclaimer: This is the personal opinion of the author. The views expressed in this write-up have nothing to do with www.prameyanews.com.
