Observers and commentators with close look at and periodical assessment of global and regional situation are linking up several events happening in and around our country for last couple of months. In the first place, recent Parliamentary election had attracted the attention of not only our close neighbours but also of world powers. We need not recount the subtle propaganda unleashed by our adversaries about the contours of this election. Echoing many vicious voices from home, they labeled the nationalist upsurge as revivalist movement that would impinge upon the secular profile of the country. As the election proceeded, they had to eat the humble pie although they found it hard to reconcile to the facts on the ground. Somehow, these elements are dormant for the time being but can raise their head even viciously if they find a chance to do so.
Secondly, the time is drawing nearer for the US-led NATO forces to withdraw from Afghanistan according to the schedule already announced. Forces pitted against Afghan nationalism, whether in Afghanistan or in the Af-Pak region, are aspiring for a big show after they are disengaged from fighting the NATO forces. Given the agenda of jihadist legions in Pakistan, who are functioning under different nomenclatures, but are converging on the ambition of expanding their sphere of influence, it has become necessary to anticipate their moves in different directions.
Third and perhaps most important development of recent days is the emergence of a new fighting force in the Middle East in Iraq-Syria region called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (al Sham) known as ISIS or ISIL. The Sunni Wahhabi Muslim fighting group, which has already captured some strategic towns in Iraq like Mosul, has declared its ambition of establishing the caliphate to which, according to their geography, Central and South Asia would become integral. India with nearly 18 per cent of Muslim population is the home to second largest Muslim population in the world. She cannot remain uninfluenced by the developments taking place in the Muslim heartland.
Fourth, and again, very important development is the outright support of Saudi Arabia and Qatar to the leadership of the caliphate movement, al-Baghdadi in Iraq- Syria region. To put it in simpler words, the Middle East crisis is reflective of Shia-Sunni schism in which actual rivaling forces are Iran and Saudi Arabia. How far will this schism or rivalry go and which of the nations in the region would get sucked into its vortex is a matter to be watched.
Situation inside the neighbouring country of Pakistan may not be alarming but for us it is certainly disturbing. Pakistani Taliban attacks on Pakistan airports, Karachi, Peshawar etc. and its daily increasing militant posture are no good signs of a peaceful neighbour. Results of Pakistani Army’s zarb-e-azab or military action in Waziristan cannot be anticipated that soon nor is this volatile situation going to abate that early and that easy. New Delhi has to take into account all these situations in their totality. The link-up of Pakistani jihadist organizations with their counterparts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Palestine etc. has to be taken note of.
In all probability, it is in this disturbing background that the Defence Minister has ordered enhancing security of all military installations and defence establishments and other sensitive structures in the country. Defence and Public Sector establishments where crucial research and experiments in weapon production is carried out, ammunition depots, military airfields and the rest of them all have been alerted to be in battle readiness to thwart any attempt of sabotage. Information elicited from captured jihadists in Kashmir and the type and quality of weapons seized from them during gun battles also indicate that jihadis have some bigger game up their sleeves.
It is not only now that the Defence Ministry has focused on security concerns. For quite some time after the rise of terrorism in the region and the forays of terrorists in J&K State, the Government of India has been seized of the need for strengthening and upgrading its defence capabilities. Steady steps have been taken in this direction. The present Government has enhanced budgetary allocation for defence and more funds have been reserved for defence purchases. The nation will respond very favourably to Government’s policy of cautioning national security apparatus to be in full readiness to meet any eventuality. We are in an era of serious security concerns and in geo-political strategies of South Asia, we have to keep ourselves abreast of latest security demands.
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