A General Speaks

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The book raises vital questions of War and Peace and identifies the key players who will determine which conditions shall prevail in the 21st century South Asia. It traces the evolution of modern Armies and assesses how well prepared the Indian Army is to face the challenges ahead. The Authorâ€™s reviews of the years 2001 and 2002, when he was in command of the Indian Army, will be read with considerable interest, as India and Pakistan came to the brink of war in 2002. He examines the concept of War for validity and ability to solve problems in the modern era and concludes that some form of a warfare will continue. He presents a scenario of a future War and draws lessons from the plans and actions of the belligerents. He also deals with Intelligence, at length, cross-border Terrorism and Media management. His pleading for the concept of Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) will be of special interests for the policy makers, defence administrators and readers at large. His views on political control of the Army and the linkage between Foreign Policy and National Security will evoke considerable interest and perhaps some controversy. The chapters dealing with the Soldiers of India and Pakistan, provide an insight into their psyche. The chapter â€˜Piece de Resistanceâ€™, of the book i.e. â€˜Is Peace Breaking Out in South Asia?â€™ has been dealt with balance and candour and will provide the people and the leaders of both India and Pakistan with some food for thought.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR S. Padmanabhan

General S. Padmanabhan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, was the Chief of the Army Staff from September 30, 2001 to December 31, 2002. During his tenure as the Army Chief, the Armed Forces of the country mobilized for Operation Parakram and remained deployed for about 10 months. This operation was the clearest signal sent so far to our neighbour that they must stop aiding and abetting cross-border terrorism. General Padmanabhan had a highly successful career during which he distinguished himself in fighting militancy in the Punjab, North-eastern states and Jammu and Kashmir where he commanded 15 Cops at Srinagar during the critical years 1993-95. He held many staff appointments including that of Director General of Military Intelligence, and was an instructor in the Indian Military Academy and School of Artillery. He headed both Northern and Southern Commands before taking over as Chief of the Army Staff. He was born in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) on 5th December, 1940. He grew up in Chennai, Nagpur and Burla (Orissa). He joined the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradum in January 1952 and after eight years of academic and military training, he was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery on 13th December 1959. Paddy as the General is known, has been acknowledged as a keenly analytical person and makes pragmatic assessment. This book is the author's first offering to the reading public. He has settled in Chennai.