<br /><ul><li>There were rumours about the film going for a digital release and now the movie officially joins a list of other Bollywood titles, including Amitabh Bachchan-Ayushmann Khurrana starrer "Gulabo Sitabo" and Vidya Balan's "Shakuntala Devi" biopic which are slated to debut on Amazon Prime Video, to directly head to a streamer during the coronavirus pandemic. </li><li>Johar took to Twitter to post a one minute-long clip, chronicling the life of Saxena. </li><li>Presented by Zee Studios and <keyword id="62161" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dharma-Productions">Dharma Productions</keyword>, the film, also featuring Pankaj Tripathi and <keyword id="7652544" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Viineet-Kumar">Viineet Kumar</keyword>, was earlier slated to be released on April 24. </li></ul><br /><keyword id="158887" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Filmmaker-Karan-Johar">Filmmaker Karan Johar</keyword> on Tuesday announced that his upcoming production, "Gunjan Saxena- The Kargil Girl", starring actor Janhvi Kapoor, is all set to bypass a theatrical release and stream directly on Netflix. The film is based on the life of Gunjan Saxena, then a flying officer, who became the first woman combat aviator to fly into a war zone during the 1999 Kargil War. <br /><br />Johar took to Twitter to post a one minute-long clip, chronicling the life of Saxena. <br /><br />"Her inspirational journey made history. This is her story. Gunjan Saxena - #TheKargilGirl, coming soon on Netflix. #GunjanSaxenaOnNetflix," he captioned the video. <br /><br />The release date of the film is yet to be announced. <br /><br />Presented by Zee Studios and Dharma Productions, the film, also featuring Pankaj Tripathi and Viineet Kumar, was earlier slated to be released on April 24. <br /><br />There were rumours about the film going for a digital release and now the movie officially joins a list of other Bollywood titles, including Amitabh Bachchan-Ayushmann Khurrana starrer "Gulabo Sitabo" and Vidya Balan's "Shakuntala Devi" biopic which are slated to debut on Amazon Prime Video, to directly head to a streamer during the coronavirus pandemic. <br /><br />Streaming platform Netflix also took to Twitter to make the announcement quoting a dialogue from the film. <br /><br />"Plane ladka udaye ya ladki, usse pilot hi kehte hain"- <keyword id="8037834" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gunjan-Saxena-The-Kargil-Girl">Gunjan Saxena - The Kargil Girl</keyword>, arriving soon. #GunjanSaxenaOnNetflix," the tweet read. <br /><br />Kapoor, who plays the titular role in the movie, said "Gunjan Saxena" was much more than a film for her. <br /><br />"This isn't just a film for me - it's a journey that's taught me to believe in myself. A journey I can't wait to share with you all. About a girl who set out to do something simple, follow her dreams," she wrote on Instagram. <br /><br />The actor made her Bollywood debut in 2018 with Johar's production "Dhadak", the Hindi remake of Marathi blockbuster "Sairat". <br /><br />"Gunjan Saxena" is directed by Sharan Sharma, who shares writing credits with Nikhil Mehrotra. Hussain Dalal has been credited with additional dialogue writing

Karan Johar's 'Gunjan Saxena - The Kargil Girl' to directly release on Netflix

<br /><ul><li>Tensions along the India-China border in Ladakh’s <keyword id="837007" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pangong-Tso-Lake">Pangong Tso Lake</keyword> are getting worse.<br /></li><li>Sources told the Indian Express that China has tripled the number of patrol boats in the area.<br /></li><li>The report claims that China’s People Liberation Army (PLA) is also contesting new construction of infrastructure and roads in Ladakh.<br /></li></ul>The Pangong Tso lake — the world’s highest saltwater lake at a height of 4,350 metres — in eastern Ladakh continues to be at the centre of tensions between China and India. Chinese troops have tripled the number of patrol boats in the area to match the number of the boats that India has as its disposal along the 45-kilometre western end of the lake, according to the <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ladakh-china-border-aksai-chin-pangong-tso-army-road-construction-6418370/">Indian Express</a>.<br /><br />It reports that nearly one-third of the Chinese transgressions along the 134-kilometre portion of the <keyword id="49399" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Line-of-Actual-Control">Line of Actual Control</keyword> (LAC) in Ladakh happen specifically in Pangong Tso. “Not only have they substantially increased the number of boats on the lake, but their patrolling behaviour is also increasingly more aggressive. It is not a healthy thing when you consider what has been going on in the Finger Area since late April,” sources said.<br /><br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="75818433" title="Amidst a pandemic, both China and India have reportedly deployed troops in Ladakh as tensions flare up along the border" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br />The development comes after Chinese Media organisation, <a href="https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1188681.shtml#.XsKVoTpuzm8.twitter">Global Times</a>, reported that Chinese troops were merely bolstering their defence measures in response to India’s “illegal” construction of defence facilities in the Galwan Valley.<br /><br /><strong>The larger pattern of aggressive behaviour<br /></strong>The “Finger Area” is outlined by the mountains which jut out along the northern bank. While India claims that the LAC lies along Finger 8, China puts it at Finger 2. The altercation which occurred between both sides on May 5 was near Finger 5. <br /><br />At its widest, the lake is 5 kilometres wide — keeping open space is limited — which makes face-offs between both sides in the region quite common. However, actual physical confrontations are rare — which makes the incident from two-weeks ago a point of concern.<br /><br />“There is a larger pattern that the Chinese are becoming more assertive in pursuing their territorial claims in contested areas, that is happening both in the South China Sea and along the <keyword id="401917" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="India-China-border">India China border</keyword>,” Ashok Kantha, the Ambassador to China from 2014 to 2016 told <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/news-analysis-behind-new-incidents-a-changed-dynamic-along-india-china-border/article31627397.ece">The Hindu</a>.<br /><br /><strong>India’s building more roads and the Chinese don’t like it<br /></strong>The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is also challenging India’s new construction in the mountainous region. In February 2019, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) chief <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-pushes-to-complete-61-strategic-roads-on-china-border-by-2022/story-mN9y4D98UOOu72me9RrmTI.html">Lieutenant General Harpal Singh</a> told the press that it plans to complete all 61 strategic roads projects along the country’s northern border with India by 2022. This includes the 250-kilometre long Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie road in Ladakh that is expected to be finished by the end of the year. <br /><br />The road was originally conceived in 1999 for the Indian Army to evict Pakistan’s Army during the Kargil War and is now divided between China and India. The Chinese Army patrols it using light vehicles while Indian soldiers patrol on foot.<br /><br />Things tend to get contentious when two come face to face. “The Chinese road is rather narrow and has very few turning points. So, when our patrols challenge their patrols and ask them to back from our area, they physically cannot turn their vehicles, leading to more acrimony.” sourced told Indian Express.<br /><br /><strong>SEE ALSO:<br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/amidst-covid19-pandemic-china-and-india-deploy-troops-in-ladakh-border/articleshow/75818433.cms">Amidst a pandemic, both China and India have reportedly deployed troops in Ladakh as tensions flare up along the border</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/anand-mahindra-backs-armys-tour-of-duty-proposal-for-civilians/articleshow/75784743.cms">Anand Mahindra backs army's 'Tour of Duty' proposal for civilians</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/soldiers-at-tawang-taking-all-precautions-against-covid-19-army-officer/articleshow/75829197.cms">Soldiers at Tawang taking all precautions against COVID-19: Army officer</a></strong><br />

China reportedly triples its boats in India’s Pangong Tso Lake as tensions continue to rise

<ul><li>China is frustrated with India in Ladakh because a journey that used to take 16 to 18 days for the Indian Army to reach the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in 1962 takes just a day today.</li><li>President of Ex-Services League Ladakh Region, Retired Subedar Major honorary Captain Sonam Murup while recalling his days in Ladakh Scouts Regiment of the Indian Army, told IANS that Indian defence is no longer what it used to be in 1962. </li></ul><br /> China is frustrated with India in Ladakh because a journey that used to take 16 to 18 days for the Indian Army to reach the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in 1962 takes just a day today.<br /><br />President of Ex-Services League Ladakh Region, Retired Subedar Major honorary Captain Sonam Murup while recalling his days in Ladakh Scouts Regiment of the Indian Army, told IANS that Indian defence is no longer what it used to be in 1962. <br /><br />"There were deficiencies during the 1962 war and we lost our land, but now the Indian Army, <keyword id="6354954" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-force">Air Force</keyword> and Navy are now fully trained, armed and equipped. But more than that, now we have roads, bridges and other infrastructure which we did not have earlier," the retired soldier said.<br /><br />Disapproving the "Hindi-Chini bhai bhai" (Indian-Chinese brothers) slogan, which was popular before the 1962 war, Murup said, "We will not say it anymore. Instead, all the soldiers will raise only 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' (Mother India live long) and Ladakhi 'Ki Ki So So Lhargyalo' (Victory to God) slogans and defeat China. This enthusiasm is alive, not only among serving soldiers, but retired servicemen too. Even at the age of 84, our soldiers of Ladakh Scouts have the strength and competence to fight back."<br /><br />Reminiscing about his experiences as a soldier, Murup, who had joined the Army in 1977 and retired in 2009, said that he and others would walk along with porters and ponies, carrying arms, ammunition, rations and other supplies, through the treacherous Shyok river, also known as 'the river of death' for its difficult terrain and furious flow. Shyok is a tributary of the Indus river that flows through northern Ladakh and enters Gilgit-Baltistan, covering over 550 km.<br /><br />"Sometimes, we used to cross even five times during a day. In all, we used to cross the river 118 times. It resulted in scraping off our skin, but we would keep moving on. It would take us 12 to 15 days, even till the 1980s," Murup said.<br /><br />But things have changed today. "The current government made roads and bridges. The Galwan valley bridge got completed in 2019. Now in a day or two, soldiers can reach there comfortably. No need of ponies or horses or porters to carry arms and rations anymore," the ex-serviceman said.<br /><br />At that point, he argued, China was self-assured but now they are worried that there is no weakness in the Indian Army's deployment and infrastructure in the region. "That is why they are expressing their frustration with aggression. We should not trust China at all," the retired soldier of the Ladakh Scouts said.<br /><br />Ladakh Scouts regiment, known as 'Snow Warriors' and 'eyes and ears' of the Indian Army, has five combat battalions in Ladakh. Specialists of mountain warfare, Ladakh Scouts is one of the most decorated regiments of the Indian Army, with over 300 gallantry awards and citations, including Maha Vir Chakras, Ashok Chakra and Kirti Chakras.<br /><br />Vice President of Ex-Services League Ladakh Region, Subedar Rigzin Nawang, recalls that General S.S. Grewal had long ago proposed that the Ladakh Scouts should be expanded from five battalions to 20. The Subedar had joined the Army in 1970 and retired in 1999. He participated in the 1971 war and in the 1999 Kargil war too.<br /><br />"There is a huge advantage to that because Ladakh Scouts are native, already acclimatized and can be deployed as and when necessary without any delay caused due to the movement of the troops from the plains of India. Soldiers from other parts of our country need a day or two to acclimatize and sometimes bad weather causes further delay of the troops," Nawang said.<br /><br />It was because of his mountain warfare skills and knowledge, that as a young soldier Nawang had crossed the LoC and entered Pakistan both in 1971 and 1999.<br /><br />SEE ALSO: <br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/photographer-of-the-viral-black-panther-images-from-india-shares-his-story/articleshow/76830618.cms">INTERVIEW: Shaaz Jung opens up about the blood, sweat and years behind the viral images of a rare black panther</a><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/coronavirus-herd-immunity-may-be-unachievable-because-antibodies-disappear-after-a-few-weeks-in-some-people/articleshow/76836165.cms">Coronavirus herd immunity may be 'unachievable' after study suggests antibodies disappear after weeks in some people</a><br />

It used to take the Indian Army 14 days to reach LAC, now just a day: Ladakh Scouts

<ul class="summary-list"><li>In late August, Indian and Chinese troops clashed on their disputed border high in the Himalayas, another brawl in a summer of heightened tensions.</li><li>The latest clash killed one soldier and wounded another from <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>'s <keyword id="321996" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Special-Frontier-Force">Special Frontier Force</keyword>, a secretive unit made up largely of ethnic Tibetans, many of whom oppose <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="China">China</keyword>'s control of their home region.</li></ul><p>At the end of August, tensions between India and China flared with another <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/08/31/india-captures-chinese-camp-disputed-ladakh-violence-erupts/" target="_top">brawl</a> between their soldiers high in the Himalayas.</p><p>The brawl around Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh, along the disputed border known as the Line of Actual Control, reportedly involved over 500 men and lasted about three hours.</p><p>India claimed it was responding to a Chinese incursion and that an Indian special-operations battalion seized a Chinese camp in a stealth operation a few days later.</p><div type="image" title="India fighter jet Ladakh" height="1666" width="2500" msid="78038830" hostid="261"></div><p>This incident comes slightly more than two months after a <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1563892" target="_top">similar clash</a> in the same region killed 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese troops.</p><p>No casualty figures have been released for the latest brawl, but one Indian commando was <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-china-tibet/tibetan-soldiers-death-near-tense-india-china-border-sheds-light-on-covert-unit-idUSKBN25T2JN" target="_top">killed</a> and another wounded when they ran into a minefield.</p><p>Those soldiers were part of the Special Frontier Force (SFF), an Indian special-operations unit composed almost entirely of ethnic Tibetans.</p><p>The episode thrust the secretive unit into the spotlight. Now, almost six decades after its founding, it's fulfilling what many members and other Tibetans in India feel is its main purpose: to challenge China.</p><h2>Establishment 22</h2><div type="image" title="India soldiers troops Special Frontier Force" height="1406" width="2100" msid="78038834" hostid="261"></div><p>The SFF, units of which are known to Indian soldiers as Vikas battalions, was established during India and China's 1962 border war. Losing that war made India realize that it needed dedicated mountain troops capable of conducting reconnaissance and strike operations at high altitudes.</p><p>The best candidates came from India's large Tibetan refugee community, many of whom fled to India with their leader, the Dalai Lama, after a failed <a href="https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/rebellion-in-tibet" target="_top">u</a><a href="https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/rebellion-in-tibet" target="_top">prising</a> in <keyword id="6364076" type="LOCATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="tibet">Tibet</keyword> in 1959.</p><p>The refugees were acclimated to the high altitudes and motivated to fight Chinese communist forces. Some were veterans of the uprising, and a few were previously <a href="https://www.historynet.com/cias-secret-war-in-tibet.htm" target="_top">trained</a> by the CIA in guerrilla warfare.</p><p>The unit was created by India's domestic intelligence agency, the Intelligence Bureau, before being taken over by the Research and Analysis Wing, India's foreign intelligence agency.</p><p>It was originally called "Establishment 22" before being renamed the SFF in 1967. The CIA assisted with training and equipment until the early 1970s.</p><p>They were dedicated mountain troops and masters of patrolling and fighting in the unforgiving climate and altitudes of the Himalayas.</p><h2>A history of dedication and service</h2><div type="image" title="India army soldiers Special Frontier Force" height="1666" width="2500" msid="78038838" hostid="261"></div><p>The SFF was not created in time fight the Chinese in 1962, and although a central reason for its creation was to confront China, it was rarely put in a position to do so — possibly because the Indians worried its members, <a href="https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3100153/rare-spotlight-indias-mysterious-special-frontier-force-amid" target="_top">passionate</a> about countering China, might escalate tense situations.</p><p>But the SFF has served in battle numerous times. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, 3,000 SFF commandos were <a href="https://www.thedailystar.net/wide-angle/phantoms-the-hills-168325" target="_top">dropped</a> behind Pakistani lines in Bangladesh, capturing strong points and preventing Pakistani soldiers from retreating into Burma. Fifty SFF commandos were killed and 190 wounded.</p><p>They fought against Sikh insurgents in <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/1984-operation-blue-star-amritsar-1251681-2018-06-06" target="_top">Operation Blue Star</a> and helped <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/operation-meghdoot-34-years-ago-how-india-won-siachen-5135429/" target="_top">secure</a> Indian control of the Siachen Glacier in 1984 and then fought in the Kargil War in 1999.</p><p>SFF commandos also secretly assisted the CIA in <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1978/04/13/cia-put-nuclear-spy-devices-in-himalayas/61cf72f2-dfdc-4586-a695-11a6d823a097/" target="_top">tra</a><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1978/04/13/cia-put-nuclear-spy-devices-in-himalayas/61cf72f2-dfdc-4586-a695-11a6d823a097/" target="_top">cking</a> China's nuclear weapons program by <a href="https://www.wired.com/2013/04/cia-himalayan-spies/" target="_top">helping</a> install and maintain advanced monitoring devices along the Sino-Indian border.</p><p>Gurdip Singh Uban, the son of the SFF's first commander and a veteran of the Indian military who fought with the SFF, <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/special-frontier-force-china-line-of-actual-control-lac-ladakh-jawaharlal-nehru/article32532182.ece" target="_top">recently described</a> them as "fearless" and said they "never, ever hesitate."</p><h2>A message to China</h2><div type="image" title="India army soldiers Special Frontier Force" height="1695" width="2500" msid="78038842" hostid="261"></div><p>The SFF reports directly to India's Cabinet secretariat and is not a part of the Indian military. Estimates put the unit's numbers between 3,000 to 5,000 troops.</p><p>Indians and Nepalese fighters known as Gurkhas are now also in the SFF, but its identity is still distinctly Tibetan; the unit's insignia, for instance, is a Tibetan snow lion — the same kind found on the Tibetan flag.</p><p>Because of their origin and mission, the unit has largely been kept secret. Indian officials asked the family of Tenzin Nyima, the 33-year veteran commando killed in the August clash, not to talk about his service.</p><p>But recent events have given the unit renewed attention. Its members took the Chinese camp in late August, and <a href="https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/tibetans-give-warm-send-off-to-special-frontier-force-on-way-to-indo-china-border-136267" target="_top">video</a> has emerged of Tibetans in India giving warm send-offs to SFF soldiers heading to the border — part of a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/31/world/asia/india-china-troops-border.html" target="_top">massive buildup</a> of forces by both India and China.</p><div type="image" title="India Special Frontier Force soldier funeral Tibet" height="1666" width="2500" msid="78038845" hostid="261"></div><p>The new focus has led to hopes that the SFF, and the Tibetan community in India as a whole, will get the recognition and attention they deserve. It has also stirred the emotions of some Tibetans living in India, who see a chance to face their archenemy.</p><p>"Most of us Tibetans join the unit because this is our only chance to fight the Chinese," one SFF veteran recently <a href="https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3100153/rare-spotlight-indias-mysterious-special-frontier-force-amid" target="_top">told</a> the South China Morning Post.</p><p>Those factors give their deployment more than military significance, melding a long-standing territorial dispute with much deeper ethnic and political tensions that the Chinese Communist Party has suppressed at home for decades.</p><p>"China's position is very clear," a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said earlier this month. "We firmly oppose any country providing convenience in any form for the 'Tibet independence' forces' separatist activities."</p>

A secretive unit India sent to its disputed border with China is more than just a military challenge to Beijing

<br /><ul><li><strong>NavIC, the Indian GPS, to be launched soon and will work with the help of a constellation of seven satellites to provide accurate position information to users within the country.<br /></strong></li><li><strong>The desi GPS is expected to work better because a larger number of satellites will be focusing on a smaller area.<br /></strong></li><li><strong>The CAG Report states NavIC’s delays and money overruns .</strong><br /></li></ul>The Indian Regional <keyword id="48724" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Navigation">Navigation</keyword> Satellite System’s (IRNSS) project of an indigenous GPS, sanctioned by the Indian government in 2006, is finally near its completion. The <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indias-desi-gps-navic-all-set-to-navigate-you/articleshow/64639096.cms">NavIC</a> (Navigation with Indian Constellation) is all set to be launched soon. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has taken the lead in this project. <br /><br />The ‘desi’ <keyword id="60096" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Global-Positioning-System">Global Positioning System</keyword>, or the GPS as it is better known, is an attempt to challenge the GPS made by the West and also become self-reliant when it comes to tracking and mapping. <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> took up this project after the US government denied access to its GPS to track the positioning of Pakistani troops during the Kargil War in 1999. <br /><br />NavIC will work with the help of a constellation of seven satellites to provide accurate position information to users within the country. The satellites cover India and upto 1,500 kilometres of area from its borders. The NavIC will be helpful with terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation, vehicle tracking and fleet management, disaster management, mapping and geodetic data capture, visual and voice navigation for drivers. <br /><br />To access all these services, the NavlC needs to be embedded in chips and other devices that are compatible with mobiles and can be used in cars. While it sounds like a great option to generate money by going the ‘Make in India’ way, IT secretary, Ajay Prakash Sawhney, has said that the NavIC will be providing these services for the strategic interest of the country and not to earn revenues.<br /><br />The GPS we use in the country right now comes from the West and its accuracy, efficiency is often debatable and reliant on the network services in the country. The desi GPS is expected to work better because a larger number of satellites will be focusing on a smaller area. It is also expected to work better across weather conditions as it uses a dual frequency system and has a position accuracy of five metres as opposed to the foreign GPS technology that uses single frequency and has 20-30 metres of position accuracy. <br /><br />The project, when approved, was given a budget of ₹14.2 billion and was expected to be out by 2011. It is clear that the project has <a href="https://thewire.in/space/indias-gps-delayed-by-deadline-overruns-isros-administrative-laxity-cag">failed to meet deadlines</a>, but there’s a reason for it all. An audit done this March by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), the authority that examines all receipts and expenditures of the Government of India and the state governments, explains the delay. <br /><br />The <a href="https://www.cag.gov.in/sites/default/files/audit_report_files/Chapter_7_Department_Of_Space_of_Report_No.2_of_2018_%E2%80%93_Compliance_Audit_on_Scientific_and_Environmental_MinistriesDepartments_Union_Government.pdf">CAG report</a> states that there has been a delay of anything between two to nine years in the completion of specific contracts given to ISRO for NavIC. Seven contracts were still pending till last May. Though ISRO can not be blamed for all the delays, most of them were because of inadequate follow-up, failed coordination or mere “administrative laxity”.<br /><br />Failed satellite launches and dysfunctional equipment like atomic and primary clocks has further added to NavlC’s delay. <br /><br />So far, ISRO has spent over ₹24 billion on NavIC - ₹12.8 billion from sanctioned budget, and a supplementary ₹11.6 billion to launch the seven satellites. There has been a lot of “unnecessary expenditure”, according to the CAG audit, which even includes the purchase of incompatible modems. The project had also been at odds with the government when it refused to carry out some responsibilities it took funds for, like setting up the user segment.<br /><br />However, despite these challenges, all that NavIC now awaits is the Request for Proposal (RPF) that has been called for so as it can begin with the implementation, launch and promotion. Once that is done, India will become one of the countries with their own positioning system like, Russia and USA, strengthening its social and technological position worldwide.<br />

Move aside, India is all set to launch its desi GPS service and it might be more accurate

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/50465738.cms" /><br /> <keyword id="6357143" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="ISI">ISI</keyword>, the powerful intelligence agency of Pakistan is behind the recent attack on Pathankot air base in Punjab, says former top White House official Bruce Riedel. Riedel also said that the attack was done using a terrorist group that ISI had created 15 years ago. <br />
 <br />
Riedel has worked in the National Security Council of the White House and was among the few people who were present at the Bill Clinton-Nawaz Sharif meeting that happened in 1999 during the Kargil war. He stated that the attack was meant to prevent any friendly ties between India and Pakistan, which looked promising after the recent surprise visit that Indian PM Narendra Modi paid to Pakistan. <br />
 <br /> The article, which was written for the Daily Beast, stated that the <keyword id="3195242" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pathankot-attacks">Pathankot attacks</keyword> and the one the Indian Consulate in Mazar-e Sharif in northern Afghanistan was done via terror group Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), a group that ISI created 15 years ago. Regarding the authenticity of his claims, he mentioned "well-informed press and other knowledgeable sources". <br />
 <br />
"Any diminution in tensions with India might risk the army's lock on its control of Pakistan's national security policy. The army continues to distinguish between 'good' terrorists like JEM and LET and 'bad' terrorists like the Pakistani Taliban, despite decades of lectures from American leaders," he said. <br />
 <br />
Riedel, who is a former CIA officer, further stated that because of Nawaz Sharif’s friendly nature towards India, the Pakistani army has long distrusted him. <br />
 <br />
"An army coup in 1999 sent him into exile in Saudi Arabia for a decade. His warm embrace of Modi on Christmas Day in his home in Lahore undoubtedly angered the generals," he said. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://cdn.youthkiawaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/04/pathankot-terror-attack-govt-response/pathankot-terror-attack-indian-army.jpg"><em>Image source</em></a><br />


Pathankot attacks done by ISI, claims former top White House official Bruce Riedel

<ul><li>In our latest episode of BTS with Insiders, we got chatting with <keyword id="212001" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Agnello-Dias">Agnello Dias</keyword>, Creative Chairperson, Dentsu Aegis Network India and Co-Founder, Taproot Dentsu and <keyword id="343974" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Santosh-Padhi">Santosh Padhi</keyword>, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, Taproot Dentsu about a few campaigns close to their hearts.</li><li>They took us behind the scenes of popular campaigns like Pepsi's Change the Game and <keyword id="15491" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airtel">Airtel</keyword>'s Har Ek Friend Zaruri Hota Hai, among others.</li></ul><br />It was in 2009 that Agnello Dias (Aggie) and Santosh Padhi (Paddy), two people pegged as the hottest creative stars in Indian advertising came together and founded Taproot. Within just a few years of starting the agency, it boasted of an enviable roster of brands it had created campaigns for including <keyword id="54572" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="PepsiCo">PepsiCo</keyword>, Airtel and Bennett, Coleman &amp; Company.<br /><br /> Three years later, Japanese advertising major Dentsu acquired a majority in the agency. Over the past 11 years, with Aggie and Paddy at the helm of affairs, the agency has come up with some memorable, powerful campaigns that have helped brands tell wonderful, engaging stories.<br /><br /> As a part of our latest series, BTS with Insiders, we spoke to the creative duo about some of the most memorable campaigns they have created together. Here are a few of the stories they shared with us.<br /><br />  <div type="javascript" title="Facebook" contenttype="Video"><cdata><![CDATA[<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FAdmedia.businessinsiderindia%2Fvideos%2F257957335520041%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>]]></cdata></div><br /><br /> <b>Pepsi ‘Change the Game’ campaigns</b><br /><br /> We all know about the cola wars of the past when players like Pepsi, Coca-Cola and Thums Up would all try to come up with irreverent campaigns, poking fun at each other.<br /><br /> In 2011, Pepsi was the official World Cup sponsor. It was a brand that had always stood for irreverence, and everything that was anti-authoritarian and anti-establishment. In the past, it had roasted Coca-Cola when it was the official world cup sponsor with its cheeky, ‘Nothing Official About It’ campaign.<br /><br /> So in 2011, when it was the official sponsor, its brief was unique. It wanted to say it is the official sponsor, while also making a statement that it is proudly irreverent. “During the discussion around the campaign, we stumbled upon the insight that the game itself had become far more irreverent than it was say 15-20 years ago,” said Aggie.<br /><br /> The agency then decided to manifest this irreverence of the game by depicting a few key shots that the newer breed of cricketers had started playing. “Once we came up with the idea, the client was perceptive enough to see its power straight up,” added Aggie.<br /><br /> The agency came up with five films featuring star cricketers and their trademark shots - MS Dhoni’s ‘Helicopter shot’, Virender Sehwag’s ‘Upper cut’, Harbhajan Singh’s ‘doosra’, Kevin Pietersen’s‘Switch hit’ and Tillekratne Dilshan’s ‘Dilscoop’.<br /><br /> The campaign went on to become a huge hit, so much so that Pepsi replicated the idea in other markets like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. “It also was a very special campaign for us because it was perhaps for the first time that such a huge brand chose to work with a smaller, independent agency. It totally changed the game for us,” added Paddy with a smile.<br /><br /> <b>Airtel’s ‘Har Ek Friend Zaruri Hota Hai’</b><br /><br /> Before Airtel’s friendship campaign, the brand every year would come up with a campaign that would put out a world philosophy that could be appropriated by mobility, shared Aggie. “That was the time when all brands were trying to build the category, nobody was trying to take each other's market share. The brief given to us that time was that we don't see anything wrong in what we are doing by putting out a life philosophy about how the world is getting more connected except that our tone and manner is making us sound old-fashioned. The brand said that they didn’t want to become younger or exchange market shares. It just wanted to keep its philosophy, while saying it in a younger manner,” he explained.<br /><br /> That’s how the agency thought of giving out a philosophy but not from a pulpit. The idea took birth when the agency started discussing about 3 am friends who one could turn to if someone was in trouble. And that’s how the campaign took shape.<br /><br /> What also makes the ad memorable is the jingle created by music composer Ram Sampath, who was given the task of creating a song without using any real instrument. All the percussions in the ad come from things one might find in a classroom, including notebooks, dusters and even dustbins.<br /><br /> The campaign went on to become a huge hit.<br /><br /> <b><keyword id="6377547" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="adidas">Adidas</keyword>’ Odds</b><br /><br /> In wake of the 2016 Paralympic Games, Adidas came up with a unique initiative called ‘Odds’ where para-athletes, primarily blade runners, were given a pair of the same side footwear instead of the usual pair that is sold to consumers. The campaign spoke about the inspirational story of <keyword id="2726242" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Major-DP-Singh">Major DP Singh</keyword>, a Kargil war veteran who lost his leg but not his determination. <br /><br /> “We got the insight for the ad from a simple idea. One of the kids at the agency said what if we dedicate 2 left or 2 right shoes to para-athletes? We thought it must already have been done by some brand. We were really surprised to see that it had never been done and its such an injustice on the community that for years they had to buy a pair of shoes from which they could only use 1. So we thought we had to make this larger than life,” shared Paddy.<br /><br /> They approached Major DP Singh who agreed to be a part of the campaign and the rest, as they say, is history. <br /><br /> Paddy also shared a life lesson that he got from Major Singh. “On the first day of the shoot, we went to the top of a mountain at 4am where he used to practice to capture the early morning sunlight. Since the spot was far from the city, we travelled for an hour. He was an army guy and wanted a proper schedule. We gave him one and told him we will finish the shoot in 2 days. The packup for the first shoot was supposed to happen at 8 or 8:30 which got delayed by an hour or so. By the end of it, he wasn’t happy and went home. And he didn’t come to the second location. When the producer tried to reach out to him he said, ‘Please tell Adidas, Taproot and Paddy that I am done with my shoot.’ We were really shocked as we had a packed schedule. So I went to his house and asked him what happened. So he said, ‘I am an army guy and I follow schedule. If your shoot was getting delayed, someone should have come and informed me. I respect time and if I respect time, you should respect me.’ I apologized and assured him that something like this never happens again. So this wasn’t just a learning for me but for everyone else who was present at the sets that day,” reminiscened Paddy.<br /><br /> <b><keyword id="5709" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="mumbai-mirror">Mumbai Mirror</keyword></b><br /><br /> Mumbai Mirror is a tabloid from the stable of the <keyword id="6356641" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Times-of-India">Times of India</keyword> group, a brand that Taproot had been handling for a while. The brief given to the agency for the campaign was simple, “The client said here are 6 stories we have broken, please showcase these stories. It was from there that we took the leap and said that newspaper is the voice that amplifies the voice of the oppressed. There were stories that would not make it to the national newspaper but its players like Mumbai Mirror that take these smaller oppressed voices and amplifies them,” said Aggie. <br /><br /> Those who have watched the campaign know that it makes its point heard loud and clear. The idea was to deliberately make the campaign disturbing. “There have been opinions about why the film was so shrill, it could have been toned down. But in my opinion, when you are taking this stance it can be either disturbing or it can’t be this at all. Then it would just need to be a completely different thought. And that’s why we decided to make it that aggressive,” explained Aggie.<br /><br /> <b>Times of India – Farmer Suicide campaign</b><br /><br /> The last campaign that the duo spoke about went on to become one of their most awarded one. Our country is no stranger to the disturbing news of farmer suicides ever year. It’s still an ongoing issue and the agency wanted to bring out the stories of these farmers who simply become a statistics every year.<br /><br /> The agency used burnt hay to make portraits some of the farmers who had committed suicide, leaving behind families of 4-6 members. “These paintings were sold and whatever money we made out of, we gave to the family members because once the earning member of the families pass away, the others also die a slow death. This was what we did in the first year. In the second year, TOI got on board the Samaj Seva Charitable Trust. We did a TV commercial and some billboards, as a second leg of the campaign. Because of the simplicity of the campaign, it did really well. It did well for us too as we picked up a lot of awards. It looks like something made out of something but how lovingly you do it and how relevant you are, makes or breaks the campaign,” said Paddy.<br /><br />

BTS with Insiders: The stories behind some of Taproot Dentsu’s most iconic campaigns

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/47747809.cms" /> An attack helicopter (AH) is a rotary wing platform with the primary role of engaging targets on the ground such as armored infantry or moving armored vehicles. There heavy armament can include weapons such as auto canons, heavy machine guns, unguided rockets, and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM's) like Hellfire and air to air missiles. Apart from the US and Russia, no other country is known for its large inventory of attack helicopters.<br />
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<br /> <keyword id="43853" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Indian-military">Indian military</keyword> is having around 390 helicopters with it but only 30 out of them are attack helicopters and rest are the utility and transport helicopters. The reason behind this can be understood by the fact that the <keyword id="15141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> (IAF) maintains a fleet of around 250 ground attack aircrafts which more or less serves the same basic purpose of giving close air support to the ground troops. Traditionally India is not known for the love of attack helicopters. Even back in those days, India was using Mil MI-4 and Bell 47G-2 which were utility helicopters for troop movement and rescue operations.<br />
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<br />
The Need<br />
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<br /> As of now, Indian Air Force deploys around 20 Mil Mi-35, 7 HAL Rudra and 3 HAL Light combat Helicopters (prototypes). It was the Kargil war of 1999 which fueled the need for helicopters that can operate at such high-altitude conditions with ease. Restricted maneuverability of Mil Mi-35 with high payloads led India to the develop the HAL Light Combat Helicopter and HAL Rudra for multi-role high-altitude combat operations and this can be used by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army's <keyword id="812305" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Aviation-Corps">Aviation Corps</keyword>.<br /> On 26 May 2009, the <keyword id="2910012" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Ministry-of-Defense">Indian Ministry of Defense</keyword> invited bids for 22 combat helicopters and 15 heavy-lift helicopters in a deal worth US$2 billion. In 2011, the American AH 64-D Apache Block3 had emerged as the winner ahead of the Russian Mi-28N defense deal for 22 Attack Helicopter and CH47-F Chinook won it for the heavy lift category. IAF is planning to deploy indigenously developed HAL Light Combat Helicopter for its combat operations along with the AH64-D Apache, however the HAL-LCA is in the nascent stage of development and the AH64-D's are yet to be delivered.<br />
<br /> <keyword id="1376569" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="The-Boeing">The Boeing</keyword> AH-64 Apache is considered as the best attack helicopter which creates havoc in the battlefield. The Boeing AH-64 Apache is a four-blade, twin turbo shaft attack helicopter with a powerful anti-armour weapon system. The Apache is equipped with state of the art electronic technology and fire control systems. The Apache can be loaded with 16 AGM-114 Hellfire Missiles, 76 70mm folding-fin aerial rockets or a combination of both – in addition to 1,200 30mm rounds for its M230 automatic cannon. There can be the use of fixed and rotary wing aircraft in operations against insurgents and this weapon system can be a force multiplier with the IAF in these special missions. Some experts are however opposing the requirement for the attack helicopters quoting that India has thousands of miles of mountainous borders to defend and attack helicopters are bound to be under-utilized in the mountains with their full payload. Another concern is that the heavy firing of the daytime at low levels can bring down any attack helicopter even with the best armour plantings. With their height ceilings and limited weapon systems, attack helicopters can perform their best in the plains but it is the mountains where it has to face the severest test as a credible force multiplier. Lessons from Vietnam remind that more than 5000 helicopters were lost against a not so powerful enemy. However, technology and weaponry has moved far ahead since then.<br />
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The indigenous development<br />
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Whatever the debate is, Indian military knows the best. After the Kargil war, India is engaged in developing a rotary weapons platform and has successfully produced the HAL Rudra, which is an armed version of HAL Dhruv. Rudra is equipped with Forward Looking Infra Red and Thermal Imaging Sights Interface, a 20 mm turret gun, 70 mm rocket pods, ATGM's and Air-to-Air Missiles. Total 27 are there, 20 with army aviation corps and 7 with IAF.<br />
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In 2006, HAL announced its plan to design and build LCH. The Indian Air Force is to acquire 65 LCHs and Indian Army is to acquire 114 LCHs. It surpasses the Boeing AH 64-D Apache in terms of range(700kms) and service ceiling(6500mts), however when it comes to the terms of weapon system, it is more like the Eurocopter Tiger and AW 129 Mangusta. Given its service ceilings and range it is well suited for the mountainous terrains with the prospects of further developments. India will go for the full scale production of the HAL LCH's only after 2016 and the prototypes are being tested now. These improvements in the Indian defense manufacturing sector not only fits the “Make in India” program but also takes us a step closer towards the self-sufficiency in defense procurements.<br />
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<em>Image credits: Indiatimes (Representation Image)</em>



Dusk and Dawn of the Indian Attack Helicopters

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A hand-to-hand skirmish high in the Himalayas this month was the deadliest border clash between <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> and <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> in decades.</li><li>The two sides are working to ease tensions, but the showdown still has the potential to spark a broader war between two of the world's largest and well-equipped militaries — here's how those two forces stack up.</li></ul><p>A medieval-style brawl between Chinese and Indian soldiers on their border in <keyword id="26604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="ladakh">Ladakh</keyword> this month turned a usually bloodless dispute into a potential cause for war between the world's two most populous countries.</p><p>The brawl lasted six hours and killed 20 Indian soldiers. Chinese officials have not said how many of their soldiers were killed or wounded but have <a href="https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2020/jun/22/china-finally-admits-it-lost-less-than-20-soldiers-in-clash-with-india-2159915.html?fbclid=IwAR0pxiHVF-AmAV6iaEW9FKvYDeTejMoMMoSvrvLBvosmhH5R2sFX4svchig">admitted</a> to losing "less than 20" troops after India reportedly handed over 16 bodies.</p><p>The clash is the biggest development in a standoff that began in early May and was the first time <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/forgotten-in-fog-of-war-the-last-firing-on-the-india-china-border/article31827344.ece">since 1975</a> that the two nuclear-armed nations shed blood over their decades-long <keyword id="6417196" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="border-dispute">border dispute</keyword>.</p><p>Both sides are <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-china/indian-and-chinese-military-agree-to-disengage-on-disputed-himalayan-border-idUSKBN23U115" target="_blank" rel="noopener">working to ease tensions</a> in the region, but the days since, both have deployed hundreds of thousands of soldiers. India and China have also <a href="https://www.opindia.com/2020/06/while-china-builds-new-fortifications-india-moves-its-jets-and-helicopters-to-forward-bases-along-lac-report/">moved</a> advanced air assets to forward operating bases in the region and begun building new fortifications.</p><h2>The world's 2 biggest militaries</h2><p><div type="image" title="Indian army soldiers" height="982" width="1500" msid="76580460" hostid="261"></div></p><p>China and India today are giants.</p><p>The two countries together <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/19/health/india-china-world-population-intl-hnk/index.html#:~:text=China%2520and%2520India%2520currently%2520account,and%2520India%2520to%25201.3%2520billion.&amp;text=That%2520would%2520put%2520China's%2520population,1.5%2520billion%2520forecast%2520for%2520India.dia.">account</a> for about 37% of the world's population and are the second- and fifth-largest <a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/the-5-largest-economies-in-the-world-and-their-growth-in-2020-2020-01-22">economies</a>, respectively. They are also the second- and third-largest <a href="https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2020/global-military-expenditure-sees-largest-annual-increase-decade-says-sipri-reaching-1917-billion">spenders</a> on defense and are <a href="https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-listing.asp">ranked</a> fourth and fifth on the Global Firepower Index, which ranks potential military strength.</p><p>China and India also have the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/militaries-most-active-duty-soldiers-troops-2018-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two largest active-duty armies</a>, China with about 2.1 million active servicemen and India with roughly 1.4 million.</p><h2>China has a technological advantage</h2><p><div type="image" title="China army base Himalayas" height="1729" width="2500" msid="76580464" hostid="261"></div></p><p>On the whole, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) is widely seen as more technologically advanced than India's military.</p><p>In China's arsenal are stealth fighters, a larger number of nuclear submarines, more military <a href="https://ucsusa.org/resources/satellite-database">satellites</a>, and a wider array of modern vehicles and small arms.</p><p>Some of those weapon systems were built with places like the Himalayas in mind, such as the <a href="https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/type-15-meet-tank-china-could-use-fight-india%25E2%2580%2594or-launch-amphibious-invasion-119781">Type 15</a> light tank and a new 155 mm vehicle-mounted howitzer; both were <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EueZdJW_DM">recently featured</a> in televised drills in Tibet.</p><p><div type="image" title="China Chinese troops soldiers Tibet training" height="1809" width="2500" msid="76580474" hostid="261"></div></p><p>This technology gap "owes primarily to the fact that the Chinese have invested more resources into modernizing their military for a long time at a sustained and high level," Timothy Heath, a senior international and defense researcher at the Rand Corporation, told Insider.</p><p>The PLA has gone through a massive modernization and restructuring effort since the 1990s, which has been one of the biggest priorities for its leaders, <a href="https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Portals/68/Documents/stratperspective/china/ChinaPerspectives-10.pdf/">especially</a> President Xi Jinping.</p><p>China has also shifted from buying advanced equipment from foreign suppliers to being able to produce its own domestic designs.</p><p><div type="image" title="India border soldier troops Himalayas" height="1667" width="2500" msid="76580482" hostid="261"></div></p><p>Conversely, India has had to rely on foreign suppliers for advanced equipment, and its domestic industries have not been able to produce the type of equipment in the numbers needed to rival China.</p><p>Until recently, India had not been able to invest the amount of money in defense that countries like China, Russia, and the US do because of its smaller economy. India also needs to send resources to address more immediate threats.</p><p>"Part of the issue with India is that their security problem is much more fragmented," Heath said, noting India's long-time fight with insurgents and the constant challenge from Pakistan.</p><h2>The technology gap is smaller the Himalayas</h2><p><div type="image" title="Indian fighter jet Himalayas Ladakh" height="1667" width="2500" msid="76580492" hostid="261"></div></p><p>But none of this means that the <a href="https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/india-china-postures/China%2520India%2520Postures.pdf">outcome is preordained</a>. While the PLA has more advanced equipment, most of its best assets and units are focused in eastern and southern China, poised to face off against the US, Japan, or Taiwan.</p><p>A war with India would be fought largely in the tough, mountainous terrain of the Himalayas, landscape that is radically different from what most of the PLA is trained to deal with. Moreover, India's military is a <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/imbalance-of-power">capable and well-equipped force</a>.</p><p>In particular, the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Su-30MKI all-weather multirole air-superiority fighter is regarded as superior to the Chinese J-8, J-11, and Su-27 fighters stationed in the region.</p><p><div type="image" title="India Chinook helicopter Himalayas Ladakh" height="1666" width="2500" msid="76580501" hostid="261"></div></p><p>The IAF also has a number of US-made Apache attack helicopters and Chinook heavy-lift helicopters already deployed, and unlike the Chinese pilots, they have more dedicated experience flying in the region's <a href="https://www.drivespark.com/off-beat/why-planes-dont-fly-over-himayalas-tibet/articlecontent-pf84128-025108.html">very difficult conditions</a>.</p><p>Further, India has more advanced air assets already in the region and closer to potential conflict zones, whereas China's air bases are fewer and further inland.</p><p>India is also expecting its order of S-400 air-defense systems from Russia this fall. This will free up more IAF aircraft for ground-attack roles.</p><h2>India's army is modernizing</h2><p><div type="image" title="India Brahmos cruise missile" height="920" width="1400" msid="76580514" hostid="261"></div></p><p>India's army is going through a modernization process. It's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkxWgZZlHeU">replacing</a> its domestically made INSAS rifle and AK-47s with the modern AK-203 and SIG 716 assault rifles. It is also replacing the World War II-era Sterling submachine gun with Caracal CAR 816s and for the first time introducing dedicated sniper rifles like the Barret M95 and Scorpio TGT.</p><p>In February, the army <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-us-sign-contract-for-additional-apache-attack-choppers/articleshow/74299279.cms">signed</a> a contract for six US-made Apache helicopter gunships and is expected to soon order a number of Indian-made HAL light combat helicopters, which are designed to operate in the Himalayas.</p><p>When it comes to armor, India's T-90 and T-72 tanks should also be worthy adversaries to China's Type 99 and Type 96 tanks.</p><p>India also has the Brahmos ram-jet supersonic cruise missile. Developed in a joint venture between India and Russia, it is capable of reaching Mach 3, making it one of the fastest missiles in the world. It can be launched from ground and naval launchers and was recently <a href="https://swarajyamag.com/insta/amid-mounting-tensions-with-china-iafs-brahmos-a-supersonic-cruise-missile-is-now-ready-for-combat-use">approved</a> for use by the Indian Air Force.</p><h2>Experience is a factor</h2><p><div type="image" title="Indian soldiers troops Himalayas Ladakh" height="1666" width="2500" msid="76580525" hostid="261"></div></p><p>The Indian army also has an edge in experience. India has fought numerous wars with Pakistan, most recently the Kargil War in 1999. It has also fought decades-long insurgencies in Jammu and Kashmir and was involved in the Sri Lankan Civil War.</p><p>One Chinese analyst <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-has-largest-most-experienced-mountain-army-in-the-world-says-chinese-military-expert/story-4eR8hDrrshV7j59OHvfIYO.html">acknowledged</a> that India is "the world's largest and experienced country with plateau and mountain troops."</p><p>Conversely, China has not fought a major war with anyone since its brief war with Vietnam in 1979 and has used <a href="https://www.cfr.org/blog/what-motivates-chinese-peacekeeping">UN peacekeeping missions</a> as a way for its troops to gain experience.</p><p><div type="image" title="China Chinese troops soldiers Tibet training" height="1833" width="2500" msid="76580537" hostid="261"></div></p><p>However, as Heath <a href="https://www.rand.org/blog/2018/11/chinas-military-has-no-combat-experience-does-it-matter.html">points out</a>, "combat experience does not automatically translate into military advantage."</p><p>In particular, the Chinese "are in a better position to concentrate and mass force than the Indians," Heath says. "It doesn't matter how good and experienced your troops are if you're outnumbered 10 to one."</p><p>Moreover, China's ability to move forces means it may be able to quickly redeploy some of its best equipment and assets, like stealth fighters and ballistic-missile systems.</p><h2>A naval confrontation</h2><p><div type="image" title="Chinese China navy submarine" height="920" width="1400" msid="76580546" hostid="261"></div></p><p>While China and India don't share a maritime border, they both have vested interests in the Indian Ocean, particularly in the Strait of Malacca, the shipping channel that connects the Indian and Pacific oceans.</p><p>The vast majority of China's oil imports flow through that strait, as does a large percentage of global trade.</p><p>China is <a href="https://bpr.berkeley.edu/2019/08/26/the-malacca-dilemma-a-hindrance-to-chinese-ambitions-in-the-21st-century/">keenly aware</a> of its importance and is determined strengthen its presence in the Indian Ocean. China has established <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-troops-to-overseas-base-operational-security-concerns-for-us-2017-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a naval base in Djibouti</a>, may be <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/hisutton/2020/06/02/chinas-new-high-security-compound-in-pakistan-may-indicate-naval-plans/#7c1ce8631020">building</a> another in Pakistan, and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/25/world/asia/china-sri-lanka-port.html">controls</a> a port in Sri Lanka.</p><p>The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has benefited greatly from investment and reforms. It is now one of the <a href="https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a27532437/china-now-has-more-warships-than-the-us/">largest and strongest</a> navies in the world and has advanced vessels like nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines, guided-missile frigates and destroyers, and two aircraft carriers with more on the way.</p><p><div type="image" title="India navy Kalvari submarine" height="667" width="1000" msid="76580556" hostid="261"></div></p><p>India too has advanced naval assets and <a href="https://www.businesstoday.in/top-story/indian-navy-to-build-24-submarines-including-six-nuclear-warships/story/392809.html">plans</a> to build more. It currently has one active aircraft carrier with another expected to start sea trials next year and has a number of advanced frigates and submarines, including two nuclear ones.</p><p>But the Indian Navy is still outclassed. China's Southern Theater Command alone has more diesel-electric attack submarines and guided-missile frigates than the entire Indian fleet.</p><p>However, India has the same advantage that China enjoys in the East China Sea: proximity to its mainland. Any fight with the PLAN would likely be in India's backyard, which means it can use land-based aircraft and coastal defenses against PLAN ships.</p><h2>Ballistic and nuclear missiles</h2><p><div type="image" title="India missile" height="1454" width="2200" msid="76580563" hostid="261"></div></p><p>The biggest fear, of course, is that any conflict between China and India will turn nuclear. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute <a href="https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2020/nuclear-weapon-modernization-continues-outlook-arms-control-bleak-new-sipri-yearbook-out-now">estimates</a> that China has 320 nuclear warheads while India has 150.</p><p>Though China has more advanced delivery systems and warheads, the proximity of the two countries means that even conventional missiles and aircraft could still deliver massive destruction to Chinese and Indian cities.</p><p>However, most observers don't believe that a conflict stemming from current border disputes will lead to nuclear war. Both countries have a "no first use" policy, meaning they will only use nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear attack.</p><p><div type="image" title="China soldiers India border guard" height="1094" width="2300" msid="76580571" hostid="261"></div></p><p>The mass use of ballistic missiles also runs the risk of unintended escalation and prolonging conflict, as they would likely only create stretches of no man's land.</p><p>The disputes in question may not be seen as worth such destruction. As Heath put it: "risking such massive losses over a barren and desolate stretch of land up in the mountains — it's hard to see how that would be justified."</p><p>Any war between China and India, then, will most likely see troops attempting to take and hold land in the harsh Himalayas, where air support will be limited, and Indian efforts to fend Chinese ships off of its mainland.</p>

India and China's deadliest border clash in decades risks war between nuclear-armed rivals — here's how the world's 2 largest militaries stack up

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/31391553.cms" />The first tangible use of drones came to the fore in 1998 when Bill Clinton’s government lost precious manpower and money as it was trying to trace <keyword id="44984" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Al-Qaeda">al-Qaeda</keyword> leader <keyword id="41240" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Osama-bin-Laden">Osama bin Laden</keyword>. Three years later, in November 2001, the first assault using armed drones was carried out when the <keyword id="48028" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="US-government">US government</keyword> tracked and killed al-Qaeda <keyword id="208479" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="military-chief">military chief</keyword> <keyword id="2097105" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Mohammed-Atef">Mohammed Atef</keyword> in the rocky stretches of <keyword id="6354541" type="COUNTRY" weightage="40" keywordseo="afghanistan">Afghanistan</keyword>.<br />
 <br /> Drones captured public attention after the high profile killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden who was hiding in <keyword id="3002" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Islamabad">Islamabad</keyword>. Today, the US is taking solid steps towards using drones to ensure civilian safety. The day isn’t far when <keyword id="818790" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="the-rest">the rest</keyword> of the world including India will start using drones for safety purposes, as well as for commercial benefits.<br />
 <br /> For a thickly populated country like India with tough terrains like the <keyword id="52569" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="himalayas">Himalayas</keyword>, the use of drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or UAVs, can be many. Armed forces have been using drones to counter insurgency in areas where human monitoring is a huge challenge due to rough weather conditions. Since the 1999 Kargil War against insurgency attempts by neighbouring Pakistan and the subsequent storming of the <keyword id="2097106" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Indian-Parliament-in-Delhi">Indian Parliament in Delhi</keyword> in 2001, the <keyword id="6354416" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Indian-Army">Indian Army</keyword> has acquired over 100 UAVs.<br />
 <br />
India has already stated its intent to get more UAVs as combat weapon distributing vehicles for border areas where road connectivity is a challenge. Interestingly, India accounts for 7% of global arms imports over the past 7 years.<br />
 <br /> With <keyword id="21647" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="naxal">Naxal</keyword>/Maoist insurgency showing no signs of letting up, the government is under huge pressure to deal with Naxal violence, which is threatening to disrupt normal life in quite a few states. As the insurgents mostly operate under the green cover (dense forests) or from other remote areas, drones can send in crucial data related to people movement and alert government agencies. This, in turn, can save lives and resources deployed to remote areas to fight insurgency.<br />
 <br /> The data collected by drones can go straight to the experts, without any human interference. It is no wonder, therefore, that the Panna National Park in <keyword id="6355554" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Madhya-Pradesh">Madhya Pradesh</keyword> had deployed these drones to capture tiger movement and also for tracking poachers too.<br />
 <br /> The big use for drones in India is area specific. While in urban areas it can be used to make deliveries, as announced by <keyword id="18635" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword>, drones can play a vital role in bringing down the traffic jams which have been close to the cardiac arrests that the cities get more often than not. Drones can also be used to enhance vigilance in urban sectors. These give 360 degree view to the law enforcements that can help them fight crime better.<br />
 <br /> Another valid use for drones will be in rural areas, the food bowl of the country. Drones or UAVs can be greatly helpful in estimating the natural resources or the abuse of the same. For an agrarian economy like India, drones can go a long way in aiding agricultural activities such as sowing seeds on vast tracts of land. They can also help in spraying pesticides that will keep the crop safe from natural predators. Crop <keyword id="35450" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="insurance">insurance</keyword> and crop mapping are major areas where drones can be integrated into the farming system for the benefit of farmers.<br />
 <br />
Disaster management is another key area as the aerial images taken by drones can pinpoint rain intensity, provide flood warning data and help generate alerts for impending natural disasters. These can also help in relief distribution to areas cut off by floods or snow.<br />
 <br /> Although India is keen to <keyword id="382268" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="leverage">leverage</keyword> the cloud sowing technology, cost factors are hindering our progress. But drones can be deployed now for cloud sowing and also for crop monitoring, thus contributing to the overall food security system of the country.<br />
 <br />
Moreover, city planning can be done better by using the aerial images taken by drones as they can take accurate aerial shots of any region, along with the precise data. That will definitely help in utility installations and planned expansion of cities where water supply lines and electricity poles are being laid haphazardly and unevenly.<br />
 <br />
This way, both rural and urban India will equally benefit from a technology, without robbing each other of the advantages. After all, steps to check immigration can only start with equal distribution of resources.<br />
 <br />


Drones
In India: How They Can Benefit The Army, Agri Sector

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/52b9638569bedd3d628be076-3500-2289/rtx12tz1.jpg" alt="pakistan" data-mce-source="REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro " data-mce-caption="A Pakistani flag flies on a mast as paramilitary Frontier Corps soldiers talk while guarding at Karachi's District Malir prison, August 23, 2013." /><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro </span></p><p class="caption">A Pakistani flag flies on a mast as paramilitary Frontier Corps soldiers talk while guarding at Karachi's District Malir prison, August 23, 2013.</p></div><p></p></div></div>The year ahead will bring no shortage of international issues that will keep the US and its partners occupied, ranging from the fight against ISIS to the implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement.</p><p>But there's been another serious impending crisis building in the background - one involving terrorism, nuclear weapons, interstate power <keyword id="6358883" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Politics">politics</keyword>, and an important US ally.</p><p>The crisis isn't likely to explode in 2016. Its eruption is currently far from inevitable. But there's a good chance, depending on what happens in 2016, that it could become more likely.</p><p>As Georgetown University associate professor C. Christine Fair <a href="http://qz.com/579334/pakistans-army-is-building-an-arsenal-of-tiny-nuclear-weapons-and-its-going-to-backfire/">explained in a December 21 article for Quartz</a>, Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is growing at an alarming clip, with Islamabad acquiring some 20 additional nuclear warheads a year. Worse, the country is developing weapons for "tactical" or battlefield use, believing that it can use low-yield nukes to turn back any potential blitz through the country's territory. </p><p>Pakistan, which has an estimated 120 warheads, is now on pace to have the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal by number of warheads within the next five to 10 years. It could place them third only to the US and Russia, <a href="http://carnegieendowment.org/files/NormalNuclearPakistan.pdf">according to an August 2015 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace analysis</a>.</p><p>Fair's article builds off the Carnegie analysis, in which arms-control scholars Toby Dalton and Michael Krepon argue that Pakistan has oriented its nuclear program around maximizing warhead production and expanding its arsenal's range of potential real-world uses.</p><p>As Krepon <a href="http://www.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/404739/a-normal-nuclear-pakistan-2/">explained in an article for Arms Control Wonk</a>, Pakistani military thinkers are leaning toward a doctrine of "full-spectrum deterrence." In such a doctrine nuclear weapons are thought of as a way of preventing or neutralizing tactical threats, as well as a way of deterring an Indian nuclear or conventional attack large enough to threaten Pakistan's survival as a state.</p><p>But the real measure of the country's dedication to developing its nuclear arsenal can be seen through the opportunity costs of the weapons program: As Krepon writes, Pakistan, which is relatively poor and undeveloped, decided to construct four plutonium production reactors for its nuclear weapons program, instead of investing in civilian nuclear energy, as India has. According to Krepon, India is only producing about five warheads a year.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/567b07a8e6183e9d408b46d3-3000-1696/pakistan ranger.jpg" alt="Pakistan ranger" data-mce-source="Mohsin Raza/Reuters" data-mce-caption="A Pakistani Ranger gestures during a daily parade at the Pakistan-India joint checkpost at Wagah border, on the outskirts of Lahore on October 23, 2011." /><p class="source"><span>Mohsin Raza/Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">A Pakistani Ranger gestures during a daily parade at the Pakistan-India joint checkpost at Wagah border, on the outskirts of Lahore on October 23, 2011.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>It's inherently dangerous for just about any country to grow out its nuclear arsenal, but Pakistan represents a unique case.</p><p>Pakistan has a powerful and shadowy security and intelligence apparatus that's had a historically vague and often downright hostile relationship with the country's civilian leadership. There have been longstanding concerns over Pakistani nuclear command and control. In 2011, journalists Jeffrey Goldberg and Mark Ambinder <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/11/the-atlantic-cover-story-pakistan-the-ally-from-hell/247886/">reported</a> that the Pakistani military often transported warheads in unmarked and lightly guarded civilian-style trucks.</p><p>India and Pakistan are no closer to resolving their dispute over the status of Kashmir - and if anything, the rivalry between the countries has actually gotten worse.</p><p>As Krepon wrote, "<span>We pay attention when firing across the [de-militarized zone] on the Korean peninsula occurs for a day or two - and rightly so. Firing across the Kashmir divide now occurs every week."</span></p><p>There's also a terrorism angle to Pakistan's weapons program. As Fair recounted, one major effect of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal has been to restrain India's options in countering Pakistani-sponsored jihadist attacks inside of India.</p><p>In December 2001, three years after Pakistan's first test of a nuclear weapon and two years after its defeat in the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/387702.stm">Kargil War with India</a>, Pakistani-sponsored terrorists from the jihadist group Lashkar-e-Taiba <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/13/newsid_3695000/3695057.stm">killed 9 people in an attack on the Lok Saba</a>, India's parliament building in Delhi. </p><p>Sponsoring an attack on an enemy's parliament is one of the most heinous possible breaches of international order. As Fair recalls, India mobilized its military but did not retaliate, partly because of its fear sparking a potential escalation with an unpredictable nuclear-armed state.</p><p>More recently, Lakshar-e-Taiba carried out a <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/mumbai-massacre-background-information/502/">November 2008 attack in Mumbai in which 172 people were killed</a> - a state-sponsored assault on an enemy city that still didn't result in continued armed conflict between India and Pakistan.</p><p>Pakistan's nuclear arsenal provides the country with a strategic umbrella needed to continue aiding terrorist groups, including ones <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/26/world/asia/26isi.html?pagewanted=all">fighting the Afghan government and its NATO partners</a>. Command and control concerns, along with the possibility of nuclear weapons falling into the wrong hands in a chaotic region, have turned the relationship between the US and Pakistan into something of a protection racket. The US is <a href="http://www.cgdev.org/page/aid-pakistan-numbers">funding and supporting</a> an opaque and intransigent government simply to maintain the currently unstable nuclear-security baseline.</p><p>The growing Pakistani stockpile also feeds into a hazardous regional dynamic. As Fair explains, Pakistani battlefield nuclear weapons are meant to counter a new Indian strategic doctrine that calls for nimble offensive operations on a compressed timescale in the event of a future provocation. </p><p>Pakistan is in possession of a nuclear arsenal and the means to create warheads at a rapid clip - at the same time the country's military leaders are seriously thinking about the weapons' applicability in combat.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/567b0638c08a80e01b8b4959-945-1135/kashmir map.jpg" alt="Kashmir map" data-mce-source="Reuters" /><p class="source"><span>Reuters</span></p></div><p></p></div></div>Pakistan has already proven to be a proliferation danger, as nuclear expertise from the country was <a href="http://iis-db.stanford.edu/evnts/3889/Khan_network-paper.pdf">crucial in advancing the programs of Iran and North Korea</a>. The country's nuclear weapons raise the stakes of Pakistan's ongoing and <a href="http://www.stimson.org/spotlight/growing-violence-along-the-kashmir-divide/">perhaps worsening confrontation with India</a>, while the growth of its arsenal might make it likelier that the weapons will be used - and likelier that they'll fall into the wrong hands.</p><p>In the coming year, policymakers the world over should think about how this problem can be reigned in. Kerpen and Dalton argue for international recognition of Pakistan as "a normal state that possesses nuclear weapons," as long as it "pulls back from full-spectrum <keyword id="6354810" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Defense">defense</keyword>," separates its civilian and military nuclear facilities, submits to certain stockpile controls, and signs the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty.</p><p><a href="http://qz.com/579334/pakistans-army-is-building-an-arsenal-of-tiny-nuclear-weapons-and-its-going-to-backfire/">As Fair noted</a>, some in the Obama administration have floated the idea of a nuclear deal with Pakistan that would slow the growth of the Pakistani arsenal in exchange for some degree of official US recognition of the country's nuclear rights. (The US <a href="http://www.cfr.org/india/us-india-nuclear-deal/p9663">finalized a similar agreement with India</a> in 2008.)</p><p>Getting Pakistan to agree to any nuclear concessions might prove difficult, particularly in light of the <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/6-major-u.s.-concessions-in-iran-nuke-deal/article/2568247">concessions that Iran won from the international community</a> in the July 2015 nuclear deal - gains that Tehran achieved without possessing even a single warhead. Given this precedent, a nuclear breakthrough with Pakistan might have to come as the consequence of some unforeseen event - like another Kashmir escalation, or a political transformation inside of Pakistan.</p><p>But the Pakistani nuclear arsenal should still be high on the world's agenda in 2016 - even if it remains a challenge that doesn't get a lot of public attention.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/worlds-most-dangerous-roads-khardung-la-india-motorbike-motorcycle-2015-9">Here's what it's like to drive on one of 'the world's most dangerous roads'</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="pycWFvdzq-Tih18eF6xItYnqhToi8sMu" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'pycWFvdzq-Tih18eF6xItYnqhToi8sMu',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

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