It cannot be said that there has been no change in the attitude of those at the top of the armed services in India. The military chiefs are not determined to keep their mouths shut about matters which are under the scanner of civilian authorities and which impinge upon national security. They are game for a discussion through the media and in public. Air Chief Marshal P.V.Naik gave a long interview to NDTV stating that the office of the Chief of Defence Staff was redundant and at present unnecessary. One cannot tell if it is the view of the air force or of its present head. Besides, it is not clear if the Air Marshal spoke for the entire armed forces. Earlier he had caused embarrassment by saying that he did not approve of the use of the IAF to meet threats like the Maoist offensive. Such decisions are made by the government. Recently, General V.K. Singh, Chief of Army Staff, said that India’s armed forces had the ability to pull off an Abbotabad-like operation. They just needed orders from the top. It was a bombshell at a time when India- Pakistan talks were to kick off. Islamabad seized upon it to use it as evidence of Indian belligerence against it.
The buck rests with the Defence Ministry. It has failed to provide political cover for Indian top brass. There is also a feeling that Indian military chiefs have to go public or their views will be dismissed outright. Irresponsibility in the Defence Ministry has also sapped the capability which General Singh talked about. Decisions regarding the purchase of arms are often put on hold. After Kargil, the Arun Singh Committee recommended a consolidation of command which has gone unheeded for so many years. The Defence Ministry needs to be given a wake-up call and at the same time the military chiefs should exercise greater restraint in making public statements. It is a matter of both external and internal security.
