Even if we go for war, it will be for peace, says Admiral Sushil Kumar, who retired last week as the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS). Even as tensions continue to simmer between India and Pakistan mount and forces swell at the borders, Admiral Kumar cautions that a ‘‘war is the final act only when all other options are exhausted’. Excerpts from the interview...
Q.: Do you foresee a war?
A.: If all other measures fail,
only then will the government think of war. Presently, the government is
exploring other measures like a diplomatic offensive, which I feel is the
correct way to go. War is the final act only when all other options are
exhausted. Presently, I agree we are going through a very torturous route
but that is the path to take.
Q.: What is India’s threshold?
A.: THAT is for the government
to decide. The armed forces do not decide the threshold level, we only
follow orders. The government has shown tremendous restraint and the situation
is very tense at the moment. Even if we do decide to go for war, the aim
would be for peace.
Q.: Is retaliation against Pakistan
the best way to deal with the situation?
A.: PUNISHMENT is not the aim.
Our aim is to prevent Pakistan from abetting cross-border terrorism. To
blindly retaliate and seek vengeance will not solve the problem. We have
to go in for a calibrated response and progress diplomatically first. The
armed forces are and should remain the last resort. We have to continue
the dialogue.
Q.: Do you think Pakistan will resort
to a nuclear strike?
A.: NUCLEAR wars are not meant
to be fought, especially when both the nuclear powers are neighbours. The
nukes are for negotiations, they are not weapons of war. Pakistan has a
professional armed force and they realise that even in case they do resort
to a strike there will be retaliation. It would be lunacy for them to start
one. In a nuclear strike, there are no winners.
Q.: Is the navy capable of delivering
nuclear cargo ?
A.: I AM not in a position to answer
that question.
Q.: What is your assessment of the
Pakistani armed forces and its navy?
A.: THEY are a professional armed
force and are prepared but so are we. We have been prepared for any eventuality
since Kargil. Pakistan has acquired French submarines but on the maritime
front we will take control of the situation in a decisive manner. While
their submarines might pose a challenge but our submarines, surface ships
and air force are very strong and will dominate.
Q.: Will there be joint operations
even in case of a limited conflict?
A.: THE way I see it, any operation
undertaken will be a joint effort. Take the example of Operation Enduring
Freedom. It is an extremely well-coordinated sea borne, air and ground
attack. For any operation to be a success, the three services have to work
in close coordination. We have been undertaking integrated operations and
this has a force multiplying effect. Joint operations are like a football
game where team work is more important for achieving the aim than just
individual brilliance.
Q.: But the army feels the air force
is unable to deliver. In fact after Kargil, the then Army chief General
Ved Malik wrote that IAF bombs fell harmlessly on mountains or killed their
own troops.
A.: IT is incorrect to criticise
any force as there are bound to be such actions in the fog of war. Actually
war is a very fluid situation and it is wrong to believe that the IAF erred
tactically. These are certain risks that have to be taken and are a part
of occupational hazards.
The US which has the most sophisticated equipment dropped bombs on Red Cross depots in Afghanistan apart from schools and hospitals. Even US troops were killed in friendly fire.
Q.: Will the US naval presence in
the Arabian Sea pose a problem?
A.: THE US presence is certainly
confusing the maritime picture. The presence of neutral combat force blurs
the situation. It becomes difficult to distinguish between a friend, foe
and a neutral combat force. In maritime warfare weaponry and sensors are
both long range.The enemy is targeted beyond visual range (BVR) and engagement
is often over the horizon. The presence of other maritime powers in the
Arabian Sea is resulting in a very confused situation at sea.
Q.: Why has the integration process
been delayed? We still do not have a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)?
A.: THERE are no hitches. The process
is on and the tri-services Andaman and Nicobar command is already in place.
The headquarters has been set up and by late this year we should have a
CDS. I have recommended to the government that the system to be a success
needs a CDS in place. It does not matter whether he is from the army, navy
or the air force. There should be a CDS by this year.