Amid the growing clamour regarding India’s preparedness for a war on two fronts, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs and former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General VK Singh (Retd) has termed it a mere possibility.
Replying to a question about concern in the general public about the recent statements emanating from the Army Chief and Air Force Chief about India’s preparedness for war on the fronts with China and Pakistan, General Singh said that our forces should be ready for every possibility.
On Thursday, Air Force Chief BS Dhanoa had said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) is capable of handling a two front war. A somewhat similar statement was given by COAS General Bipin Rawat recently when he said that the Army is ready for a war on two and a half fronts. Gen Singh said, “Whenever a person goes out of home he also assess all possibilities similarly for defending our country we should always be ready for every eventuality.”
Gen Singh was talking to the journalists on the sidelines of a seminar on Military History organised at Welham’s Boys School here on Friday. Brushing aside the question of repeated intrusions by Chinese Army into Barahoti in Uttarakhand, he said that the territory is disputed one and such incidences have happened there for years.
Gen Singh termed India’s trade relations with China as very strong and in world forum, both the countries have their places of respect. This fact is repeatedly stated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and now China has also understood India’s position, now there is a perceptible shift in China’s views.
On the question of closeness of China with Pakistan, Gen Singh said that there is nothing new in it. He said that it is good thing that the Indian Army has started the process to induct women in the combat roles. First women were inducted as officers in Army and they are now being considered for Military police. Their future is bright.
Singh expressed his dismay that the policy of divide and rule practiced by the British in pre-independence era was also being followed to divide people on religious and caste lines after the nation got independence. He said that our country has paid a very high cost of this policy.