Thread by @ColSanjayPande

1/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 If this doesn’t open our eyes and shake us nothing will. Rigidity of thoughts, being blind to reality, arrogance of rulers supported by spineless ‘jee huzoor’ variety of military advisers brings us to knees. India is silent today. Silence is deafening.

2/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 Everybidy is silent. Generals, Strategists, hi flying panelists, intellectuals and the creme-de-la-creme Security Advisors who ‘screamed’ are silent. The people, the Genersls & the strategists who ask questions are villains. Towing line is ‘Nationalism’.

3/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 I have asked a 100 questions covering 58 years, 1962-2020, but there are no answers. It’s extremely easy to split these 58 years into Congress & BJP & start a mud slinging match. It suits both, why? Simply because it splits 58 years and deflects attention

4/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 Keeping defence Services weak serves bureaucrats, not letting local defence industry grow suits politicians, keeping quiet serves Generals, keeping insurgence alive serves everyone and blaming voiceless army is an all time favourite alibi.

5/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 If you are interested, watch this thread. I will ask questions that any one will ask. You will wonder why no one asked till date? Myopia of governance, blinkered leadership, tenured Generals & the white ants of government have brought this crisis.

6/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 Why can’t you hear the silence???? Do you remember ‘GHUS KE MAARA’? Balakot? Surgical Strike Surgical Strike Surgical Strike Surgical Strike Surgical Strike Surgical Strike Surgical Strike Surgical Strike WHY SILENCE NOW? INTROSPECT my dear, INTROSPECT.

7/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 While we search ways to resolve current problem, we miss the fact that the current problem is manifestation of similar but huge number of ‘current problems’ of 58 years of border problems with China. Never has China been considered ‘Nations No.1 Enemy’.

8/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 Accepting and declaring China as ‘Nations No.1 Enemy’ would have changed the course of history. 58 years of moulding the entire security establishment to handle a much much bigger enemy not only would have made us strong, but more global. Where are we?

9/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 India’s national obsession is Pakistan and Insurgency. It is misplaced. India’s national obsession should be INDIA. It is not. PM and SG sparring publicly, RG jumping in and mudslinging supported by completely sold media is simply promoting old narrative.

10/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 Someone HAS to answer “Why is India shrinking & China expanding?” Real estate is the only way to expand. Whether you control land or minds, aim is simple-GRAB (either) and expand. BJP & CONGRESS are sharing 58 years of destruction. Do not ask questions.

11/n #IndiChinaCrisis2020 Tired of hindsight strategists, who, when they mattered, made no contribution but are ‘pillars’ of gyan today. China! Ever heard them before Galwan? What use is their Gyan when as Chiefs, Army Cdrs & Corps Cdrs when in service they never raised China?

12/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 Since 1987, when, as Capt, I was asked to establish a post in Arunachal under Fwd Posture, I went EIGHTY KM ahead of an Inf Battalions location. LAC was still 20 km ahead. Since 1963 we were ONE HUNDRED KMS south of LAC. The Div was called ‘Picnic Div’.

13/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 We had presentations on China. We used int print material of 70’s. No one had vaguest clue what was at LAC. One Long Range Patrol was sent in three months. We left tell tail signs at a spot we were told was LAC. I would be ‘shut-upped’ into silence...

14/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 if I asked any question on China. To us China was some distant dreamy Shangrila which we were not to discuss. 0 knowledge at Unit level, 00 at Bde, 000 at Div level. Since then at every forum, I would ask questions. But then China was never the enemy.

15/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 In last 30 yrs since my first on-ground experience with China, I realised that not one Chief, Army Commander, Corps Cdr, Raksha Mantri or anyone that matters has ever spoken of China being Enemy No.1. Fear Paralysis in Indian security est was obvious.

16/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 Why is it that despite 62, 65 and finally 71 wars & combined experience two single front wars and one double front war, we never spoke of Two Front War with CHINA as Enemy No.1 and Pakistan as Enemy No.2? What moral right does any General have today..

17/n ...when during their service they did not have courage to raise China threat? Three Strike Corps spending LACS OF CRORES have been raised for Pakistan. Why are Indian Armed Forces not China-Centric? Collective fear paralysis of Generals manifested in Galwan. Can you...

18/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 ..identity person who passed order not to fire & not carrying weapons? Why is he being protected? Can you imagine right from CDS to Div Cdr, NOT ONE put his foot down to protect men? This & past generation of generals are from the genre that feared China

19/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 What moral right does any of these Generals have to write & blabber extensively on China when they failed in their own duties. Generals write about Artillery, Armd & Rafale, BUT none about their careers? It’s shocking. Today market is flooded with..

20/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 ..experts on China. 90% don’t know how LAC looks. We talk of ‘Options’ China has? Why not talk of own options? My first step- remove from public gaze all those fake experts who in service never raised point to declare China as Enemy No.1. They are fake.

21/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 They mislead India. They talk through media with their political bosses. They eye positions. Why will I trust these people when I know none ever spoke of China as Enemy No.1? WHY GET UNNERVED WHEN I ASK ‘On whose hands is blood of Galwan soldiers”?

22/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 DONT GET UNNERVED WHEN I ASK ‘On whose hands is blood of Galwan soldiers”? Don’t want #Galwan to happen again? Ok, unless the @PMOIndia takes this on, it will not happen. The shift has to be radical. I have lot of radical ideas & am sure will be ignored.

23/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 As a citizen of India, what do I want to hear from experts?

Or first, what “I DO NOT” want to hear? I don’t want to know;
-How many fingers?
-Who has which finger?
-Who patrols what and where?
-Logistical problems in Himalayas

24/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 “I DO NOT” want to hear
-How is Armoured and Mech effective in Ladakh?
-Problems of deployment of Artillery
-Winter clothing state
-J20 vs Rafale
-Chinese Generals
-Likely options of Chinese
-How many Divs have we moved
-History of Chinese intrusions

25/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020
And many more such topics where the professionals and experts are on home turf and the public is clueless.

It’s impressive when accompanied by Ranks, Miniature Medals, Side Caps and screaming.

THATS NOT WHAT INDIA WANTS TO KNOW.

26/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020
It’s a fish market of hindsight strategists out there. None of these question Government. They are ‘professionals’ but focus on very safe subjects. They are mortally scared to ask questions. Those who do are labelled Congressis. Old politician tricks.

27/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 Being clear what the Citizen does not want to know but the so called experts retired generals must thrust down their throat, I draw attention to two sections equally responsible for the current state. ‘Institutes of Strategic Studies’ and ‘TV Anchors’.

28/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 ‘Institutes of Strategic Studies’. Numerous institutes like IDSA and VRF, CLAWS etc, all funded by Govt and packed with retired brass are doing biggest disservice to nation. None questions Govt. All wag tails. I throw a simple challenge at them. Easy..

29/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 Including all Armed Forces institutes of higher learning, upload links to each and every paper, study, debate, symposium etc from 1963 to 2008 (yes 1963 to 2008) on TWO FRONT WAR & CHINA : ENEMY NO 1. Google it. There are none. Why? Brain dead experts?

30/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 TV Anchors. Closest they have been to area of interest is on Google maps but must preside over debates without having a clue of topic. They are assisted by experts who did not have one posting on China Border.THIS is the crap Indian public is being fed.

31/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 Another eight tweets added to the thread. I would cover WHAT INDIAN CITIZENS WANT TO KNOW today. Not interested if Nehru or Zorawar Singh were responsible. Just plain questions.
twitter.com/colsanjaypande…

32/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 The final proof of complete absence of military strength and military leadership, a manifestation of 40-45 years of ‘tactical’ commanders donning brass was from Red Fort yesterday. PM could not utter the word ‘China’. Who is responsible? PM? Not at all.

33/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 Hard realities need to be spoken. The Prime Minister could not utter the word CHINA from Red Fort in 15-8-2020. WHY? Is he weak? NO. NOT AT ALL. 65 years of burden of scared political leadership and spineless military leadership forced him to keep silent

34/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 Let me assure you that we are witness to strongest political leader last 74 years has seen. Do not say the same of his advisors. @PMOIndia needs to be congratulated BUT unless tge PM brings in some absolutely bold & radical changes, we cannot expect much

35/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 Today I intend to write extensively of the subject and I assure you that substantial results will be seen by 2040. It takes 20 years after introduction of reforms. Just two aspects POLITICAL and MILITARY need radical shift.

36/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalPoliticalShift Is cannot be more shameful for a country than to weaken its Prime Minister. Since independence this is the first time a PM has shown courage to take on China. Who weakened the PM? What exactly does @PMOIndia need to do?

37/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalPoliticalShift Simple one step job. Take STOCK of the situation created by 74 years of mis governance. Fearlessly publish it. Do not hide anything and present before country the actual state of affairs of INDI-CHINA Border @PMOIndia

38/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalPoliticalShift Publish official maps of LAC as perceived by India, throw out every claim by China and make it official. Thereafter mark each and every spot which is under physical occupation of China and declare it as intrusion @PMOIndia

39/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalPoliticalShift Why should Govt fight internal so called ‘experts’? Our actions emboldened China to intrude even more. Let 2020 go down in history as a year when India took stock of its LAC AND TOOK A STAND @PMOIndia

40/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalPoliticalShift Publish each and every intrusion by date. Publish name of COAS, Army Cdr and Corps Cdr under whose charge intrusion took place. Publish names of RM, Def Secy and NSAs fir each intrusion. After was Galwan PMs doing? @PMOIndia

41/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalPoliticalShift These people were given a charge by the country through the Governmentto look after specific things. Why should PM suffer just because these people failed the nation? Once STOCK of 74 years is taken what will happen? @PMOIndia

42/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalPoliticalShift I assure you thousands of experts will crop up and pin point blame. The current incumbents will be shocked and will discharge duties. Give me one reason what moral right the COAS had to continue after Kargil? @PMOIndia

43/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalPoliticalShift After all wasn’t the protection of territorial integrity a direct responsibility of Army? We have stretched covering up too far. PM needs to put the record straight and make people publicly accountable. @PMOIndia

44/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalPoliticalShift These Politically radical measures not only will put 74 years record straight but expose incompetence of officials and make anti-nationals stand out like a sore thumb. Imagine the position of strength PM will be in. @PMOIndia

45/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalPoliticalShift Why should PM be fighting Nehru? Give chance to traitors who have tea in Chinese a Embassy when Doklam is on? Or fight ‘Finger Battle’ in Galwan? Why? He has shown strongest resolve to take on China hence radical shift @PMOIndia

46/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalPoliticalShift #RadicalMilitaryShift Why are Party Lines being taken to handle China? India line is fine. Who other than Political Executive and Military Leadership (just the Chief, Army Cdrs and Corps Cdrs) are responsible? @PMOIndia

47/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalPoliticalShift #RadicalMilitaryShift To sum up Radical Political Shift, it requires 1. a political leader to put the record straight & let public debate on history. 2. Take today’s status as ‘datum’ to lay path for future. @PMOIndia

48/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalPoliticalShift #RadicalMilitaryShift Prime Minister Mr Modi has stood out among all PMs in taking steps against China. He is responsible for ‘political’ issues. Whose job is to guard borders? Military. Has anyone ever questioned them? @PMOIndia

49/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 We need IMMEDIATE #RadicalMilitaryShift if we need to put things right. Radical Political Shift must be accompanied by Raducal Military Shift. It’s important to get into genesis of Militarys(missing)Leadership. What went wrong? @PMOIndia

50/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift Death of Conventional War Military Leaders commenced from 1972. 71 war victory euphoria took a decade to subside. Military Generals slept. WWII, Vietnam War and such presentations were order of the day. I joined in 1982. @PMOIndia

51/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift In 1982, as 2Lt I found myself part of Vietnam War Presentation to the officers of a Corps. I was like a fly but was given active role. I witnessed Generals who spoke like Generals. Officers who spoke like Officers. @PMOIndia

52/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift I felt so proud to be part of Army. We had whole lot of Air Force Officers attending the event spanned over three days. Flat two years and Indian Army changed for ever. Blue Star. Counter Insurgency!! Blood! New Taste!! @PMOIndia

53/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift 1984 was watershed for Military Leadership. We stopped producing ‘thinkers’. We mass produced Tactical Commanders. Conventional War threat was thrown out and Counter Insurgencybecoming ‘in thing’ we changed for ever. @PMOIndia

54/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift How many studies have taken place to take STOCK of shift in the Officers mindset from Conventional War to Counter Insurgency? CI killed Military Thinkers for ever. Lean Mean Tactical Fighting Machines took over. @PMOIndia

55/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift Politicians have come and gone, will come and go, who is permanent? Army. Army at borders. Led by whom? Officers. Now in LAST 35 years Army has become assembly line of producing officers masters at Counter Insurgency @PMOIndia

56/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift Read my thread on #KashmirThroughMyEyes and you will know how officers have mastered art of getting ranks. The competent move out. Offrs were Majors in 1984 & Retd as Lt Gens in 2019. 35 years spanning complete insurgency. @PMOIndia

57/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift Race fir ranks killed Leadershio. It killed conventional war mindset. It killed thinkers. It killed strategists. Officers just knew to focus on Insurgency and get ranks. Conventional Warfare was strict No No. @PMOIndia

58/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift Last 35 years have seen a complete cycle of Capt to Lt Gen. Complete officer cadre has been destroyed and made unfit to think as military leaders. Ranks make leaders mindset is set firmly. Because I am Lt Gen-I talk sense! @PMOIndia

59/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift RADICAL MILITARY SHIFT simply means prepare for 2040. Make snd train officers for 2040 and beyond. Get conventional army back. Cannot change current officers so what should be done? Suggesting few steps. @PMOIndia

60/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift RADICAL MILITARY SHIFT is deliberate and needs to be achieved without any negative effect of securitypreparedness. I will cover steps under different heads. #20YearPlan to regain our Armed Forces which have lost their way. @PMOIndia

61/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift PART-1: RADICAL MILITARY SHIFT is a #20YearPlan to completely overhaul the poisonous Counter Insurgency mindset Army is in today. For one Military Leader to come up after FM Manekshaw and Gen Sundarji it requires 20 yrs @PMOIndia

62/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift IMMEDIATE MEASURES:
1. QUARANTINE for two decades Armed Forces Officers to remain within Armed Forces and retire. No need to take anyone on any panel & ignore what they write. Remove the toxic Counter-Insurgency generation.@PMOIndia

63/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift IMMEDIATE MEASURES:
2. Remove Army from Counter Insurgency. Army has mastered the art of getting excellent reports, promote nepotism and pursue self centered growth. No one thinks of Conventional War. They are POLICE.
@PMOIndia

64/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift 3. Target Junior Command and equal courses and introduce China as main adversary. Make this as main curriculum. This officer lot with 6-7 year service bracket today will be Corps/Army Commanders in two decades.
@PMOIndia

65/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift 4. Every seat of Military Learning be made to focus on China, Global Impact on India taking in China and shaping the geo-politics of world. IDSA, CLAWS ETC, VRF? Why have they wasted precious years and funds? @PMOIndia

66/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift 5. 100% formations of all services along China Border be asked to have central focus on China. Combine entire China front into a Theatre with joint Commands under it. Clip wings of Army which claims (incapable)‘ownership’@PMOIndia

67/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift 6. Let the training focus be led by intelligence inputs & NOT wisdom of Counter Insurgency Tactical Commanders masquerading as ‘Military Leaders’. Senior Ranks today are result of the great ‘Rank-Mining’ in CI & nepotism. @PMOIndia

68/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift 7. Institutes like IDSA, CLAWS & parallel be completely freed of the current managements due to complete lack of vision & now be led by dynamic out-of-box thinkers. One guy writes book, other cuts ribbon the third reviews @PMOIndia

69/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift 8. Quarantine-Quarantine-Quarantine-100% officers for two decades. While they enjoy their growth within organisation, India can be spared of their myopic and shallow approach to national security. Waste them out. @PMOIndia

70/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift I have just concluded Part 1 that is long term. Localise the toxicity of Counter Insurgency, remove Army from policing & groom a fresh generation to be ready to take over 20 yrs hence. Bring in realism. @PMOIndia

71/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift Integrated Theatres, Joint Command, removing ownership of turfs etc will showcase strength. Let not Generals, with bent waist be advisors. We need strong leaders and not yes men. Let not Generals be seen as an apology. @PMOIndia

72/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift PART 2 will cover immediate measures required to be implemented which seamlessly transit and transform into the #20YearPlan DO COMMENT WITHOUT FEAR. @PMOIndia

73/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift Stark reality of how Counter Insurgency can destroy a conventional army. As a 2Lt I was deployed in Punjab in 1984, as a Col I commanded in Batalik. I have seen 20 years from within and 15 from outside of CI mindset. @PMOIndia

74/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift I start the PART 2 of Radical Military Shift required to seamlessly transit and transform the Army into the #20YearPlan If we have to change, it’s now or never. @PMOIndia

75/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift Military’s world over are very rigid organisations. It takes decades to accept there is a problem. Not one article has been published in three decades on impact of Counter Insurgency on Army. It has destroyed the fibre.@PMOIndia

76/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift Thirty six years from initiation to Insurgency in 1984 when the present COAS would have been a junior Major to today. Entire Indian Army has had two/three/four tenures and has been weaned away from conventional warfare. @PMOIndia

77/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift The great institution that Army is, it still is not above nation. Introspection, course correction and today, a radical shift is necessary. Suggesting few measures which will have no takers within Army. I rest my hope with @PMOIndia

78/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift
1. Audit and Accountability. No one audits Army claims. 57 years of intrusions by China and not one Chief, Army Cdr it Corps Cdr held accountable? Dies Army hide intrusions? Who audits? Who questions?
@PMOIndia

79/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift

2. Accountability and Continuity. PM cannot utter word ‘China’ from Red Fort. Is PM weak? NO. Army should have given him confidence to say so. Since 1947 Army continues on border, PMs change, who is responsible?
@PMOIndia

80/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift
3. Culture of taking Moral Responsibility is finished. Example? Kargil. Enemy intrudes. Army doesn’t know. Nation fights. 535 Killed In Action. COAS was vested responsibility to guard borders. .......@PMOIndia

81/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift
COAS was vested responsibility to guard borders. No moral courage to resign. COAS converts it to Vijay Diwas. Blood of 535 on whose hands? As a FIRST action after stabilising, COAS should have resigned. @PMOIndia

82/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift
4. Junior Leadership. Even today it’s Colonels in Command and juniors who bring glory to Army. Think. Get Conventional war training and thinking back. Keep entire Star Ranks out of it. Quarantine them for 20 yrs.@PMOIndia

83/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift
5. Get out of CI. Army is less Army & more police. SM is full of tributes to fallen soldiers. All Counter Insurgency KIA. Require three years to get out, to get Colonels commanding units to Army Commanders, another 15 yrs@PMOIndia

84/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift
6. Think BIG, Think GLOBAL. Even Chiefs are masters on Company Operating Bases of CI. Chefs get into gutter fight for Maj Litul Gogoi. What a downfall. Capt should think about enemy division. He thinks ACR. Where are we?
@PMOIndia

85/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift
7. Nepotism. Don’t hide and deny. Nepotism has destroyed talent. Reason? Infantry. With ratio of over 80% everywhere, the nepotism of Laneyard, School, Squadron, Regiment and State has emptied Army of talent.........@PMOIndia

86/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift
Remove laneyards in Staff Course. Forever. Make 50% offrs undergo Staff Course. Make them wear INDIAN ARMY on shoulders. Make them all arms & services. KILL NEPOTISM. It has already killed talent.
8. GET THE GLORY BACK. @PMOIndia

87/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 #RadicalMilitaryShift
GET THE GLORY BACK. @adgpi please do it before things get worse and @PMOIndia gets involved. IF THESE 87 TWEETS DONT MAKE SENSE, NOTHING EVER WILL. Taking on China is beyond ppts. WHAT IS CHINA THINKING TODAY? is my next thread.

88/n #IndoChinaCrisis2020 I can’t get over the silence of Government over Ladakh crisis. No economic punishment announcements, no diplomatic developments, a ‘time-pass’ Military Option declaration by CDS and life goes on as if nothing has happened. @PMOIndia

89/n #IndiChinaCrisis2020 China digs its heels, steps gas on infrastructure along LAC, launches psychological warfare, fills media with misinformation and is continuously upping the ante. Where are we lacking? China must be bullied into submission.@PMOIndia