Premvir Das

Sending political messages at sea

US warship deployment through India's Exclusive Economic Zone was more than just a perfunctory action

Playing Chinese checkers

Recognition of the predominantly tactical environment is fundamental to our being able to play China at its own game

Limitations of defence diplomacy

With its stock nowhere near what it was a year ago, New Delhi has turned to defence as a lever of foreign policy - a strategy that can at best yield limited dividends

Uniform is not just a dress but an ethos

Careful thought has to be given by the decision-makers on the needs of those serving in the police force

A strategy for the seas: Why India has to get its maritime power going

With Chinese warships maintaining a near-permanent presence in the Indian Ocean, India needs to beef up its navy and become a key player in the region

The CDS is now a reality

Integral to the Chief of Defence Staff concept is the placement of operational theatre commands under his charge

Needed: A de novo assessment of capability

Naval Assemblies are more than just about pomp and show

Damning HAL will get us nowhere

Wisdom lies in giving Hindustan Aeronautics every encouragement. The Air Force should work closely with it, just as the Navy does with public sector ship-building enterprises

The defence minister's challenges

The armed forces have their share of both strengths and shortcomings, and the country's first woman defence minister has her work cut out

Towards integration in defence

India needs a Chief of Defence Staff who will be the principal military advisor to the government

Crash landing an air chief gets us nowhere

The former Air Chief appears more sinned against than sinning

Premvir Das: Integrating diplomacy and defence policy

Military cooperation must be seen as a useful tool for promoting foreign policy goals

Premvir Das: Focus on China, not Pakistan

With Beijing outpacing New Delhi on different fronts, the emerging security environment is not very conducive to India's interest

Premvir Das: Isolation of Pakistan is wishful thinking

Instead of isolation, India should respond militarily to every act of terrorism assessed to have come from across the border, unilaterally declare Pak a State that supports terrorism

Premvir Das: Timidity does not a great power make

The ability to take tough decisions and act strongly will determine India's position in the emerging world order

Premvir Das: Much ado about nothing

The recently concluded India-US logistics agreement is neither sinister nor a strategic game changer

Premvir Das: India and the South China Sea

Since half of India's overseas trade passes through the South China Sea, freedom of navigation in these waters, and peace and tranquility in the region is important to us

Premvir Das: The military needs a better deal

The continuing diminution of the armed forces in terms of parity of status with the civil services and the erosion in their pay and allowances may fuel resentment among the men in uniform

Premvir Das: What the Shangri-La conundrum bodes

Cementing relations with a rising China and yet ensuring that Asia's foremost military power remains within acceptable boundaries are among India's major strategic challenges

Premvir Das: India's maritime dilemma

To develop credible maritime assets and capabilities, India should structure itself essentially as an Indian Ocean Region player, rather than seek a broader Asia-Pacific profile