CHALLENGE OF HYBRID WARFARE IN ASIA

Hybrid warfare has seemingly emerged as a major issue of discussion in most of the contemporary conferences and research articles on global defence. The concept and the debate around hybrid war is not a new phenomena. But today with the development of hybrid technology, hybrid warfare is dominating the world conflicts. Hybrid war involves irregular wars, illegal ransom, cyber attacks, propaganda for subversion etc. Even international law will become a tool in hybrid battlefield. So it is clear that today's war doesn't give the good old picture of formal armies fighting in a particular battleground! Hackers, war propagandists, weapons smugglers, Religious heads are the indispensable parts of Hybrid war!  This new and dangerous development opened up new possibilities in conflict ridden areas. The way Russia handled Ukraine issue and Islamic State's fighting techniques in Syria are the best examples for hybrid war!

Analysts in international affairs warned Asia, the largest continent of the world, is witnessing hybrid warfare. Advanced studies provided proofs that Asia is already under the strong clutches of Hybrid warfare. Douglas Ollivent, a Senior National Securities Fellow opined conditions like Ethnic conflicts in Asia, border disputes, lack of rule of law are more than enough to create and foster hybrid war in Myanmar, Pakistan, Thailand and other Asian countries. Earlier only national militaries had the privilege to some warfare techniques. Shifting such major military capabilities,  to irregular combat groups including terrorists is also a significant feature of hybrid war! Mainstream military weapons like intercontinental ballistic missiles in the hands of terror groups is a threat to world peace.

Hybrid warfare in Asia and disturbed relations of India with neighbouring China and Pakistan are new challenges to Indian defence strategy. Terror outfits in Pakistan or China can use those techniques, once used by Russian backed terrorists or Hezbollah terrorists. China supported Naxal activities in Northeast India have enough space to turn itself into hybrid conflict. The fact that China is one of the leading powers in cyber and robotics technology made Indian security more vulnerable and insecure.

International law considers armed aggression crossing national boundaries as the center concept of war. Same logic will be applicable even in the case of identifying the aggressor. Hybrid war strategy bypasses all international laws because, there is no need to cross the borders to achieve subversion activities. For instance, China can train and arm pirate groups to create tensions in South China Sea. Pirates induced by China may attack ships and disturb trade routes. Finally China will increase the presence of Chinese forces based on the claim to control pirates. Increased Chinese presence, definitely result in unquietness in Asia. But China can defend it's intentions easily without restricting itself to the norms of international law! World has to agree that China achieved considerable amount of progress in cyber technology. China created a separate department to monitor cyber attacks and other related issues. In a shocking fact 'South China Sea' is the most targeted region in cyber attacks!

"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting." Says evergreen political strategist Sun Tzu. These words are really relevant in the reign of hybrid warfare specially in defending India. Since independence Indian defence forces tackled number of problems. But now a new phenomena of hybrid warfare questioning the defense of India. India should be ready to handle these new proxy wars and hybrid battlefield.

(This article was published in Central Chronicle Newsapaper on 4 March 2017)

      KEERTHIRAJ (prof.keerthiraj@gmail.com)

      

International Relations and Political Science

Alliance University, Bengaluru

Indo-US Partnership: A Panacea to Chinese Aggression?

Even though American allies in this region are economically sound, they are not in a position to counter China, compared to China's military and diplomatic power. For all these reasons, the focus of US foreign policy experts increasingly turning towards India, as a potential power ti counter Chinese dragon.

-  Keerthiraj

The increasing Chinese military influence in the Asia-Pacific region reaffirmed that no country in this region has enough will power to counter the warmongering dragon. China aggressively achieved enmity with all the countries in its neighbourhood, even challenged US and other major powers, creating a common feeling that no one can do any thing against China. Recently, Chinese leaders warned America to expect a full pledged war if Americans interfered in South and East China seas. Both America and India have their own interests in containing Chinese power. On the one hand, China's aggressive attitude is the question of leadership and strategic balance for America, on the other hand, India has some key national security threats from China.

American allies in the Asia-Pacific region including Philippines, Japan, Australia, Singapore and other countries concerned excessively towards Chinese aggression. Even though American allies in this region are economically sound, they are not in a position to counter China, compared to China's military and diplomatic power. For all these reasons, the focus of US foreign policy experts increasingly turning towards India, as a potential power ti counter Chinese dragon. American policy experts are convinced that, India is growing increasingly confident in international politics is the only available choice to re balance Asia-pacific. The two largest democracies in the world are ready to establish higher levels of diplomatic and military relations. The current national interests of India and America have a lot of similarities. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is slowly moving out of the Non-Aligned policy and exposing itself confidently in the global politics. Still, India is not completely comfortable with US, Delhi policy makers understood it is important to strengthen Washington-Delhi defence contracts in order to maintain the balance in Indo-pacific region.

United States changed its earlier gesture of supporting Pakistan and criticising India. The Indian Army crossed the line of Control and destroyed some terrorist bases in response to Pakistan's back support to terror activities in Indian land. After this incident Pakistan firmly expected America to condemn the act of India. But this expectation of Pakistan met with disillusionment and US just advised both the countries to settle the long term dispute. This is a significant shift of US policy in favour of India and it responded with a 'Politically Correct' statement! Through this incident US convincingly portrayed India instead of Pakistan as the priority of its foreign policy For decades, American the aid to Pakistan proved US can get nothing more than backstabbing by Pakistan. Now it is the time to realise historical values of nations are the pillars of long-standing political friendship and not the short-term selfish political opportunities

The challenge, India facing of today from China is different from the challenges of 1962. China threatened only northern borders of India In 1962 Indo-China war, but Chinese naval power was not so sophisticated. But today, China has a strong naval force, built up in a systematic manner. Strategically, China has occupied Gwadar port in Pakistan, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Chittagong in Bangladesh and other naval bases in an attempt to surround India. This Chinese tactic of surrounding India and making India vulnerable to attack from all the directions, is popularly known as 'String of Pearls Policy'! In addition to this China is trying to spread its sphere of influence in Indian Ocean, particularly areas, which are considered as India's traditional zone of influence. It is evident that China has supported Pakistan against India continuously. Thus, to counter this offensive neighbourhood, India is in a need of a strong friend like US. There has never been a greater need for mutual cooperation between the United States and India and it is going to be a well deserved  strategic relationship for both the countries.

Increasing relevance of India as an influential force in global politics, has become pretty digest for China. To divert the attention of India China is using Pakistan and creating tensions at the borders of India! China's stand over  over Arunachal Pradesh made Indo-China relations further complicated. India gave shelter to Dalai Lama, despite of China's opposition and other issues added to the tension. India is slowly coming out of 'diplomatic reservedness' and looks more confident than ever. It is not surprising, even if India planned a joint strategic plan with America against China. 

There are some limitations for full pledged diplomatic relations of the US and India. In the past, the differences of opinion between the US and India, as well as the Indian stand over some arrangements of international system, resulted in US sanctions imposed on India. Today, these sanctions are restricting American technology transfer to India and higher level of defence co-operation between these countries. US has to set right some of the paper works regarding this and this process has already begun to develop cooperation with India. As American foreign policy experts keen to develop diplomatic ties with India, Asia-Pacific geopolitics opened new opportunities to contain China and also sting Pakistan for its mischief.

(This article was published in Central Chronicle News paper on 18 January 2017)

      KEERTHIRAJ (prof.keerthiraj@gmail.com)

      

International Relations and Political Science

Alliance University, Bengaluru

NEPAL REGIME CHANGE: NEW HOPE IN INDO-NEPAL TIES

We can’t neglect the role of neighboring countries in the success of Indian foreign policy. Specially, a Nepali government more interested towards China, always be a prime danger for India’s regional interest and security.

-          Keerthiraj

(Assistant Professor in Alliance University)

The Himalayan country Nepal is once again going through political transition. Pushpa Kamal Dahal, popularly known as Prachanda was elected as the Prime Minister of Nepal, replacing Khadga Prasad Oli.  This is for the second time Prachanda will be serving as the Prime Minister of Nepal. A new ray of hope emerged in India- Nepal relations with this change in the politics of Nepali politics. Since last year, India and Nepal diplomatic relations has been in a state of confusion and decline. But newly elected Nepali PM Prachanda took some rational decisions to correct the mistakes of past and sent special envoys to India and China.

India and Nepal are more than just neighboring countries. They have much reason to remain as close allies and this is proved by history. Since decades, India’s concern and commitments towards Nepali defense elevated Indo-Nepal relations to higher levels. Of course Nepal is a landlocked country, but in a true sense it is Indian land locked country as it shares most of the boundaries with India. On the other hand, Himalayan mountain range including the great Mount Everest separates Nepal from China. Even during crises times India was there with Nepal like an elder brother. When Nepal suffered a continuous Maoist war since 1996, only Indian interference convinced Maoist party and other national parties to end the war with 12 points agreement in 2004. But everything went wrong when Nepal adopted a new constitution on 19th September 2015. Nepal government and the new constitution neglected the protests of Madeshi, Tharu and other ethnical communities living in border areas. India also raised serious concerns about these ethnic issues.

Madeshi community has a distinct cultural identity and it is clear that they are excluded by Nepali mainstream society. Madeshis’ hope about new constitution perished like a moth! Boundary lines of Madeshi provinces, citizenship problems of Madeshis left unaddressed.  New constitution of Nepal became deaf and dumb to the problems of Madeshi community. The supreme text of the nation remains silent regarding political and cultural hegemony of mainstream Nepali society over their own people living in border areas. Nepali political elites also sidelined the major demand of this oppressed community. Naturally India backed the movement of Madeshis and advised the government of Nepal to rectify the mistakes of new constitution. This moral responsibility of India was intentionally misinterpreted and misunderstood by Nepal leaders. Then Nepali Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli chose China for his first foreign visit, it became crystal clear that both symbolically and practically Nepal avoided India.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi openly condemned new Nepali constitution. And a series of statements by Indian Ministry of External affairs backed the opinion of Modi. Later days witnessed dark period of Indo-Nepal relations including an Indian blockade against Nepal, Chinese hold over Nepal etc. While unofficial Indian blockade against Nepal continued, Nepal faced an earthquake. During this natural disaster, again India extended helping hands to Nepal in the name of ‘Operation Maitri’.  Unfortunately, some considered this humanitarian effort by India as an attempt to establish hegemony in Nepal. Even Nepali government held the same view and disrespected moral interest of India.

Indian diplomats and strategy experts worried when a traditional ally of India continuously lurching towards China. We can’t neglect the role of neighboring countries in the success of Indian foreign policy. Specially, a Nepali government more interested towards China, always be a prime danger for India’s regional interest and security. No one can deny the possibility of China using Nepal to achieve domination in South Asia. We should remember China already has doors to South Asian politics through Pakistan. 2014 China (an observer in SAARC) tried to push its interest to be a permanent member state in SAARC through Nepal!

Recent political developments in Nepal removed Khadga Prasad Oli from power and established Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) as Prime Minister. Newly elected PM of Nepal sent Deputy PM Bimalendra Nidhi as a special envoy to India. This is tactical step taken by Prachanda to reestablish lost relations of India and Nepal. During his visit to India Nidhi expressed Prachanda’s view that development of Nepal is not possible without Indian cooperation and a positive response from Indian PM Modi shows Indo- Nepal Relations are back on track. Nidhi, himself is a Madeshi assured to respect India’s concerns towards Madeshi problems.

Since 2014 the focus of Indian foreign policy is its neighborhood.  Even though in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, India’s foreign policy achieved notable success, Nepal remained as an exception since last year. Now once again with the leadership of Prachanda, there is an attempt to reestablish this prime relation. Prachanda will serve as the PM of Nepal for the next 9 months. After that Sher Bahaddur Deuba will succeed Prachanda according to the coalition compromises. Fortunately, even Sher Bahaddur Deuba expressed his views in favor of better indo- Nepal relations. These developments ignited a new hope in the relations of these two South Asian traditional partners.

 KEERTHIRAJ (krj492@gmail.com)

·   Currently serving as an Assistant Professor for International Relations and Political Science at Alliance University, Bangalore. 

      (This article was published in Central Chronicle newspaper on 3 September 2016)

CLEAR THREAT OF NUCLEAR TERRORISM

During inquiry Bashiruddin admitted that he met with Osama bin Laden and conduct negotiations to develop nuclear device! In 2004, a shocking truth revealed that Abdul Qadir Khan, father of Pakistan's nuclear technology sold the same to Libya, North Korea and Iran.

-          Keerthiraj

            If History is the story of wars, then Politics is nothing but the story of power management. Global politics is a chain of contradictions and conflicts.  Recently, even petty conflicts leaning towards Nuclear threat is not at all a good development. Nuclear threat is not a new development in world history.  In 1945, America became a Nuclear power with ‘Manhattan project' and its impact on Japan proved that world created its own destroyer. World powers tried to contain the spread of Nuclear weapons. Unfortunately all the attempts proved to be a failure.

            The fourth and last nuclear security summit took place in Washington in the first week of April. As expected nuclear terrorism became the prime concern of the world leaders. Today tens of thousands of nuclear weapons around the globe waiting for destruction. A small mistake is enough to burn the world without any discrimination! Decades ago, the Little Boy and Fat Man destroyed the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But they are nothing if we compare the nuclear capacity of 2016. If the Cuban missile crisis brought the world to edge of extinction in 1962, we can imagine what will be the effect of today’s sophisticated nuclear devices.

           

All countries have their own kind of nuclear defence systems. There is no universal nuclear defence system to stop nuke proliferation to terror hands. A small mistake in any country's nuclear defence system can allow terrorists to access nuclear weapons. Recent statements by some terrorist organizations in favour of using nuclear weapons is a warning bell to World powers. Baghdadi’s Islamic State is slowly losing its influence in Iraq and Syria. In its desperate attempt to re-establish its influence, it may be provoked to purchase nuclear weapons. Recently a Belgian nuclear plant worker found dead and his security identity card stolen. Another source reported that two Belgian nuclear plant workers joined Islamic State. Shockingly, recently published Islamic state pamphlet announced terror groups are planning to acquire nuclear devices through bribing corrupt Pakistani officials!

            In January 2001, some nuclear scientists of Pakistan created UTN, a non-governmental organization under the chairmanship of Bashiruddin Mahmood (former head of Pakistan's Khushab plutonium reactor). Later in November 2001, Pakistan’s intelligence agency arrested the members of UTN, including Bashiruddin, under the direction of United States. During inquiry Bashiruddin admitted that he met with Osama bin Laden and conduct negotiations to develop nuclear device! In 2004, a shocking truth revealed that Abdul Qadir Khan, father of Pakistan's nuclear technology sold the same to Libya, North Korea and Iran. According to intelligence reports, al-Qaeda was also keen to have deal with Abdul Qadir Khan, but Khan rejected the demand. These incidents raised serious questions about the credibility of Pakistan regarding proliferation to nuclear technology.

            This is a known fact that Pakistan’s conventional defence is inferior to that of India. Statements of Pakistani leaders made it clear that Pakistan is already to use its ultimate weapon i.e. nuclear bomb to save its interests. Pakistan don’t have any voluntary cuts like India’s nuclear policy of ‘No First Use’. Hopefully, to date no country has showed the irresponsibility of transferring nuclear technology to the hands of terrorists. However, the current global politics is moving towards new dimensions of unexpected twists and turns. To ensure the safety of the world, world powers should be more serious about nuclear non-proliferation and it is the time to think about a ban over nuclear weapons, like biological and chemical weapons.

 KEERTHIRAJ (krj492@gmail.com)

·   Currently serving as a Faculty for International Relations and Political Science at Alliance University, Bangalore. 

      (This article was published in Central Chronicle newspaper on 5 May 2016)

RELUCTANT IDEALISM AND RELEVANT MAHABHARATA

Passion to be a moral power by Indian elite class made, Indo-Pak wars, indo-china war of 1962 still baiting Indians with the nightmare of idealism.

- Keerthiraj

       

Mahabharata is the world’s largest and great Indian epic containing 1.8 million words. It is no exaggeration that, Mahabharata is ten times the combined length of the Iliad and Odyssey and three times the length of the Bible. Its grandeur is not only limited to mere size, as it is the fusion of Indian mythology, history, philosophy and political theory. Today’s world famous 'Bhagavad Gita' is also a gift of Mahabharata written by Vyasa. According to the historians Mahabharata represent incidents during the time period of tenth century BC to eighth century BC and then evolved with time. In spite of controversies regarding Vyasa’s Mahabharata, no one can disagree with the fact that Mahabharata is a replica of political, social, cultural foundations of India.

            A number of episodes, the mysterious characters and the secrets hidden in every scene, made it complex and at the same time interesting. Struggle for power between Pandavas and Kauravas, the two branches of Kuru clan occupies central part of the epic. Pandu, younger brother of Dritharastra was crowned due to blindness of Dritharastra. Later, Duryodhana, son of Dritharastra, claims the crown based on he is the son of elder brother Dritharastra. On the other hand another claim is to make Udhistira, eldest son of Pandu, as a king because he is the eldest among Kauravas and Pandavas. This debate got terminated at the end of the Kurukshetra battlefield, where Pandavas emerged victorious after destroying all the Kauravas.

            Absolutely we have a reason to remember Mahabharata today. When it comes to political tactics or war strategy, the whole world including Indians remember Sun Tzu or Machiavelli. "Aa no bhadra kratavo yantu visvatah” worth repeating as there is no wrong in receiving useful ideas from all over the world. But the wrong thing is to attributing only one side i.e. the idealism of Nehru and Gandhi to identify India in global politics. We neglected the wonderful insights contributed by the great epic towards statesmanship. Mahabharata offers three different personalities who symbolize idealism along with power politics. Firstly, Krishna, the avatar purush and brother in law of Pandavas. Secondly, Shakuni, uncle of the Kauravas. Thirdly, Bhishmacharya, the Pitamaha of the entire Kuru clan.

            Indian leaders, both pre-independent and post independent era, neglected the national interest of India while giving high importance to idealism. Indian leaders were so interested to showcase their idealism and failed to track enemy's insidious tactics against our national security. Passion to be a moral power by Indian elite class made, Indo-Pak wars, indo-china war of 1962 still baiting Indians with the nightmare of idealism. Even if you go back to history we can find how idealism hurt India’s national interest. Prathviraj Chauhan defeated Muhammad Ghori in the first battle of Tarain and granted amnesty to Ghori on moral grounds. But the very next year, in 1192, Ghori defeated and killed Prathviraj in the second battle of Tarain. Ghori established his influence on India. You may respect Prithviraj Chauhan, as an ideal person on moral grounds, but he failed as a king and statesman in his duty and failed to protect the security of his nation and citizens. Even in Mahabharata Udhistira stands as a symbol of idealism. Even Arjuna to some extent showed this unique weakness during war. Krishna understood it is impossible to win the war, with Pandavas practicing idealism. So Krishna guided Pandavas to follow Yudda Dharma (Duty of a warrior) rather than idealistic restrictions. We can see contradictions between moral values and Yudda Dharma when Krishna used the Drona’s affection over his son, Karna’s love towards his mother Kunti. Of course these dilemmas never go away. They just reappear in different forms. Many people never learn to manage these dilemmas. Krishna, not as a Godly avatar, but as a shrewd statesman managed these dilemmas in a right way.

            India defeated Pakistan in several wars. But still we have border problems because of a war neutral and soft policy followed by India to maintain its status as a moral power. India's non-violent ways of solving problems through diplomatic shuffle of politics, are appreciable. But in world power politics we can’t expect the success of nonviolence without a backing by shrewd diplomacy and statesmanship. The great epic showed Udhistira’s idealism shined only under the light of Krishna’s Statesmanship. Here I remember Shakespeare’s lines "I must be cruel only to be kind". Mahabharata is the evidence that this principle is well known in India even before centuries. “Everything is right in war and love” is not a new thing in Indian context. In this way Mahabharata has lot more in its stake to contribute towards present Indian politics. Mahabharata can be a panacea to most of the social and political problems of current India. With a lot of new dynamics in world politics, I think it is the right time to remember Mahabharata, while framing both domestic and foreign policy of India.

 KEERTHIRAJ (krj492@gmail.com)

·   Currently serving as a Faculty for International Relations and Political Science at Alliance University, Bangalore. 

      (This article was published in Central Chronicle newspaper on 10 April 2016)

TERROR ATTACK AND LACK OF COORDINATION IN COUNTER TERRORISM

European Union created more or less border less Europe. Sarcastically, terror activities also went border less within European continent!

- Keerthiraj

Since independence India continuously raised concerns over terrorism at global level. But the self-proclaimed caretakers of world peace i.e. United States and European nations always considered India’s concern as a silly complaint! Unfortunately, terrorist activities happening in Indian soil were the funniest subject for global powers. Finally, United States realized What India experienced since decades, only when al-Qaeda hit the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001! After this incident numerous efforts taken place in the world to overcome terrorism, but rising terror threats proved counter terrorism is not a complete success. In each stage of history, world remembers one most infamous name among various terrorist organizations. Then Al-Qaeda, Now Islamic State!

Last week in Brussels attack, the Islamic State militants have killed more than thirty people and left some others with serious injuries. By doing this, Islamic State terrorists created fear and anxiety among Europeans. This is not the first terrorist attack in Europe and in fact Europeans have historical connections of Jihad and Crusades. Even in twentieth century, Madrid bomb attacks left 193 people dead in 2004, the London attacks in July 2005 damaged the lives of 52 people and a very recent Paris attack in November last year killed 130. European Union, with the membership of 28 European countries, earned the reputation of world’s most successful and effective regional organization. More or less borderless European nation-state systems, added to this privilege. Sarcastically, terror activities also went borderless within European continent!

After Brussels attack, Europe has seen a lot of changes. In Paris, French police arrested a man, suspecting his involvement in Paris attacks. Last Friday Belgian police detained a man linked with Brussels attack. German police also arrested two persons on the basis of their mobile messages. The rapid pace of police operations in the three countries, created a new stir in the war against Islamic State. There is no doubt about the efficiency of European police system. But a row of terrorist attacks on European continent since 15 years, proved lack of cooperation and coordination within European police system.

According to a report by Turkish authorities, Ibrahim el Bakraui one among the two suicide bombers responsible for Brussels attack, was detained and later deported by Turkey. Turkish authorities also collected information regarding the intension of Bakraui  to join Islamic state. Turkey shared intelligence report in this regard with Belgian police authorities. Shockingly, the whole of Belgian police system failed to make use of these details! It is very clear that European powers failed to coordinate anti-terrorist efforts. Not only in continental level, even within the country Europeans lacked integration and mutual trust between police and intelligence agencies. Current European defense system remembers how the lack of coordination between US internal and external intelligence forces i.e. FBI and CIA resulted 9/11 Al Qaeda attacks in 2001. But immediately after this incident, US realized its mistakes and genuinely tried to find a solution. The presence of mind showed by Americans is really a lesson in the way of Counter Terrorism. 

The Islamic State appears differently from other terrorist organizations. Before fighting against enemy we should know about enemy. World Counter terrorism considered Islamic state as a mere terrorist group. Counter terrorism against Islamic state will fail till we know what exactly Islamic state is? Lack of coordination among world powers is the main capital of the Islamic State. To find a solution to Islamic state terrorism world need to be coordinate their efforts. And importantly we should rule out the difference between good terrorism and bad terrorism.

 KEERTHIRAJ (krj492@gmail.com)

·   Currently serving as a Faculty for International Relations and Political Science at Alliance University, Bangalore. 

      (This article was published in Central Chronicle newspaper on 31 March 2016)

BHAGAT SINGH: A FORGOTTEN POLITICAL THINKER

Bhagat Singh, a well-remembered revolutionary. But his struggle was not mere anti-colonial or anti-British, his aim was to free the human kind from the chains of exploitation and mental slavery.

- Keerthiraj

Bhagat Singh along with Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged to death on 23^rd March 1931. Every year 23^rd March is observed as Martyrs’ day in honour of these revolutionary heroes. Present day India is well aware of heroic rebel activities of Bhagat Singh. But most of the other talents and messages given by the great hero, were forgotten! Today human kind needs Bhagat singh’s values. Otherwise we are going to pay high price for ignoring Bhagat Singh. It is not about remembering a day, but a bad memory can cost a lot in our future. Bhagat was not only a revolutionary, but also a great political thinker, who thought and wrote about Socialism, religion, caste, untouchability and other social issues of contemporary South Asia.

Today India is in an intellectual turmoil. Fake socialism and self-declared intellectuals are busy in leading India towards wrong directions. A proper study on Bhagat’s writings can be a panacea to most of the confusions and problems faced by Indian subcontinent. Those writings revealed Bhagat in different shades. At once as a political thinker of modern India, as a great teacher of revolution, as a sensitive journalist, who cared about the system. Bhagat’s struggle was not mere anti-colonial or anti-British, his aim was to free the human kind from the chains of exploitation and mental slavery. For example in 1928 Bhagat wrote two articles in a magazine called ‘Keerthi’. First article ‘Achoot Ka Saval’ speaks about the problems of untouchability, and the second article ‘Sampradayik Dange Aur Unka Ilaj’ deals with communal violence and possible solutions. Recent studies and researches on Bhagat’s writings, proved him as a mature political thinker. Professor Chaman Lal, an expert in Bhagat Singh studies, tried to show light on mature political thoughts of Bhagat. Most of the letters written by Bhagat were lost and some of them intentionally suppressed! Bhagat Singh was not a blind revolutionary, he had supreme ideals within him. Here I wish to mention about four selected letters, which I think interesting.

Two letters written by Bhagat in 1931, regarding the case of Mr. Harikrishnan. Harikrishnan was a young revolutionary, who was facing charges that he attempted to kill the governor of Punjab. Harikrishnan’s father, one among rich and influential personalities of that time, tried to save his son from the punishment. Defence lawyer tried to save Harikrishnan by arguing that his client had no intension to kill the governor and he only wanted to warn! But this move from the defence lawyer was severely criticized by Bhagat Singh. According to Bhagat every statement given by revolutionaries must be supportive to the goal of revolutionary activity. Statement by Harikrishnan’s defence lawyer acted in such a way that whole idea of revolution failed. Bhagat Singh suggested an alternative argument in the case, aim of revolutionary is not to kill an individual, but there is no other way to overcome the problems of the exploitative system. Individual losses are inevitable in the way towards liberation. Bhagat wanted not only bombs and guns but also defence arguments, and even the death of revolutionary should become the tools of revolution.

Another letter written by Bhagat Singh to his father. During Bhagat’s jail days, his father, Sardar Kishan singh sent a written request to the tribunal to save his son from death sentence and argued that his son is innocent and he has no role in Saunder’s murder. When Bhagat heard this attempt by his father, Bhagat criticized his father very harshly in a letter. In that letter it is very clear that Bhagat had no intention to offer defence in the court. Bhagat wanted his death and sacrifice should become inspiration to further revolution. In spite of great respect towards his father’s contribution to Indian freedom movement, Bhagat consider the request letter sent by his father as a worst type of weakness crueller than back stabbing. Thus Bhagat shows a great integrity in his ideals, even though he had chances to escape from punishment.

The most interesting, at least for me is the letter by Bhagat to another great revolutionary Sukhdev. Comrade Sukhdev was waiting for the judgement of the tribunal and he was quite sure that punishment would be life sentence. The very idea that spending his life time in jail was irritating to Sukhdev. So Sukhdev wrote to Bhagat, He is ready to death sentence or immediate release. But in case of Life sentence, it is better to suicide. As a response Bhagat wrote a letter to Sukhdev. This letter by Bhagat is a must read to everyone. In this letter Bhagat realises his friend that only throwing bomb is not revolution. But accepting punishment and sufferings are also the major part of revolution and real meaning of revolution lies in it.

Bhagat not only wrote about revolution, his writings on Marxism, Anarchism, Atheism and other social issues are also serious attempts to review political and social issues of South Asia. It is regrettable that we and our education system narrowed the personality of Bhagat to a mere young rebel.

  

 KEERTHIRAJ (krj492@gmail.com)

·   Currently serving as a Faculty for International Relations and Political Science at Alliance University, Bangalore. 

      (This article was published in Central Chronicle on 23 March 2016)

NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM: A MEMOIR

For the first time Soviet Union challenged this monopoly by conducting successful nuclear test in 1949! After this Britain, France and China emerged as nuclear countries in a row.

- Keerthiraj

North Korea turned itself into a nuclear power in spite of UN tough sanctions. North Korean President Kim Jong-un's order to keep nuclear missiles ready to attack at any time rang the bell of danger! Despite breathless international condemnations the Kim regime has a tough stance on the world. There is little doubt that China’s back door support is the reason for President Kim’s belligerent attitude. On January 6 and February 7 North Korea tested banned ballistic missiles. With this development North Korea’s immediate enemy South Korea and Japan are worried about their national security. Some grave statements made by president Kim directly against United States of America turned North Korean nuclear issue more complex.

During 1945 US had the monopoly over nuclear devices. For the first time Soviet Union challenged this monopoly by conducting successful nuclear test in 1949! After this Britain, France and China emerged as nuclear countries in a row. Cuba's nuclear crisis of 1962 and increasing nuclear threat compelled the World Powers to take initiatives like Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1968.The purpose of these arrangements is to prevent proliferation or spread of nuclear technology to other countries and nuclear weapons should be safe in the hands of first five nuclear powers. Initially North Korea was a member of NPT and came out of the treaty in 2003.

South Korea, probable victim of North Korea's nuclear program followed the ‘Policy of Trustpolitik’, accordingly it relied on United States relied for its defense. But today South Korean leaders also interested to be a nuclear power against rising nuclear threat from North Korea. According to a recent survey conducted by the ASAN Institute, 54 percent of South Koreans voted in favor South Korea's nuclear program! Naturally, South Korea initiated talks with US to adopt Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD). China already opposed any kind of American intervention in the Korean peninsula. Now China is supporting North Korea only in backstage and possibly China can use this American intervention as an excuse to be the mainstream supporter of North Korea in the near future! The nuclear problem Korean peninsula is not limited to East Asian region, but provided a stage for two competing world powers. On the one hand America is struggling to retain its position as a global ‘Big brother’. On the other hand china is waiting for a small opportunity to spread its influence all over the world!

North Korea's overwhelming interest in nuclear devices has some obvious reasons. North Korea is not a super power country as it seems to be in Kim bluster speech. North Korean defense forces still rely on 1970s era techniques. It is easy and less cost effective to acquire a nuclear device than modernizing this outdated army! Even Kim believed Nuclear weapon can keep America out of the Korean peninsula. After aggressive US interference in Iraq and Libya, Kim felt more insecurity that North Korea will have the fate in near future. On March 2, UN Security Council unanimously adopted ‘Resolution 2270’ acknowledging that the embargo on North Korea, and restrictions imposed on trade, and other fields. Furthermore, strengthened the sanctions imposed in 2006. North Korea's provocative stance even after international boycott vindicates secret Chinese support to North Korea. Approximately 90% of North Korean trade links are with China. Thus 'Resolution 2270' will be successful only with honest implementation from Chinese side.

  

 KEERTHIRAJ (krj492@gmail.com)

·   Currently serving as a Faculty for International Relations and Political Science at Alliance University, Bangalore. 

      (This article was published in Central Chronicle on 13 March 2016)