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The Six Steps Towards Victory India

Writer's picture: Brig DS SaraoBrig DS Sarao

Editor's Note


This piece by Brig DS Sarao is a realistic appreciation of India's grave security challenges, both from external and internal threats and the critical role of its armed forces to meet them.


Are the armed forces actually geared up and prepared and also wholeheartedly supported by the nation for taking on any and every emerging or imminent threat ? Our past history reveals that we were often surprised or caught napping by our adversaries and for which we paid heavily.


To avoid this once again, what is the solution or way forward ? The answer lies in 'The six steps towards Victory India ' as articulated by the author.


All pictures are for symbolic representation only.


Editor, MVI


Realistic Impressions of the 1962 War

 

The aim of this article is not to go back in time to discuss the infamous 'forward policy' nor is it to discuss the tactical or strategic nuances of a war which actually should never have taken place. But the article shall definitely endeavour to uncover a few aspects of how a nations military and political leadership should 'never' fight a war.

 

What most people are not aware of is that the Chinese as a nation do not have much institutional memory of the Sino-Indian '62 war!! For them, the Korean war, the Sino-Japanese, the Russo-Chinese and the Sino-Vietnamese conflicts have a much greater military significance unlike India, which has been savagely traumatised by memories of '62, the so called 'Chinese betrayal'.

 

 Wars are never won or lost by armies alone. If the nation and it's citizens choose not to be proud of their army, if they choose to settle for the second best, if they choose to  meddle in military affairs, if they be-little the men in uniform and resent their perks and status and isolate them from national decision making -- then  the Country has learned nothing from the '62 war.

 

Still smarting from the reverses of the Korean conflict, the Chinese were not really interested in fighting another major war or inviting international criticism by taking on one of the leading exponents of the non-aligned block. Once the war started, the Chinese were actually surprised by the unpreparedness of the Indians and the rapid advances their troops were able to make in most sectors. Considering the actual aim of the Chinese, the amount of  forces involved and the combat power brought to bear, the Chinese rightfully dismiss the '62 war as more of a skirmish where the Indians helped them to achieve an 'aim plus'. In-fact, it would not be out of place to put  on record that this was due to a combination of poor strategic vision, abominable military leadership and crass political interference, especially the civilian leadership’s involvement in military matters. A disaster was waiting to happen.

 

Despite it being a war in which the nation and the military were found wanting, there is no denying that there still were Heros and Heroic battles. As Indians and former soldiers, we salute those officers and men who decided to fight and die, cornered or otherwise, rather than fall back to the next hill; with our leadership panicking instead of rallying the military, the citizens and the nation.

 

The so called issues that the soldiers did not have winter clothing, were un- acclimatised, did not have food, equipment and ammunition were causative factors, but they cannot result in the rout of an Army and the Country, specially if there is a will to fight collectively as a nation. Saragarhi, Thermopylae, Rezangla, Masada, Imjin River,  Battles of Hastings, Waterloo, Trafalgar, Stalingrad, Dunkirk --were all against odds and adversity. And it was because of good military and political leadership with the citizens, politicians and bureaucrats throwing their full weight behind the British armed forces, that the British fought almost three years of WW 2 all alone against the most powerful military machine ever made. Notwithstanding the failure of the political leadership and its interference in military matters, the failure of the Indian army generalship during the '62 war also needs to be accepted; wrong men at the wrong places. Additionally, there was a total lack of resolve to fight a coordinated battle, the planning was poor, the defences were more aligned to 'hold territory' rather than on tactical considerations, there was a marked breakdown of communications, clear orders to the troops on ground were lacking, air support was inadequate and the commanders at higher levels were found wanting in the face of reverses in battle.

 


American Impressions of ‘62 War

 

    Here, a few things about this war as mentioned in various books and journals make interesting reading and the reader can judge for himself as to how the war was being fought:-

 

     * An American official to Pt Nehru---'Mr Prime Minister, Churchill lasted without any-thing for three years , you couldn't even last for three days'.

 

     *An American military adviser during a military briefing, when told that to move some armour/troops in the Ladakh sector, it would have to be through some part of Pak occupied territory---'General, your Country is at war; march your tanks through!!'

 

     * An American embassy official 'Fine, save them for the Chinese', when told that there was a problem in sending fresh rations to the forward areas and tinned food was too expensive to be given to the troops.

 

     * An American Airforce General when briefed about the Indian Air-force, 'Your Air-force is fit for a museum'.

 

Use of Air Force

 

Coming on to the role of the IAF and whether its employment would have made a discernible difference. Firstly it needs to be understood that if our Air Force is either not strong enough or for doctrinal reasons is not in a position to guarantee air support to troops on ground, then  we will lose the next war also. No army today can undertake offensive or defensive operations without complete integration of fixed wing and rotary wing assets for battle field air support and logistic sustenance. There is a non negotiable requirement of dedicated aerial resources earmarked, guaranteed, trained and made available for furtherance of offensive and defensive operations on ground. Infact jointmanship and operational synergy between all three military services is the only way to win any future war, else all lessons of '62, '65, '71 and the Kargil wars will be in vain.


But here we must also not forget that in 1962, the IAF had very limited training/capability in so far as offensive support in the Himalayas, high altitude and partly jungle terrain was concerned. There was a lack of operational and logistic bases as well as modern aircrafts with requisite weapon suites which could have facilitated strikes in the genre of BAS or deep counter air operations. Yes, some amount of interdiction of supply routes, artificial landslides, limited air cover and BAS/CAS probably could have been provided but definitely not of the magnitude to have turned the tables.  And neither did we have a deep strike capability nor identified targets in the TAR/Chinese mainland or the munitions, missiles and aircraft capable of meaningful and painful interdiction. Also, at that time our air defence and radar early warning network, associated communication systems and inter services jointmanship was woefully rudimentary. Even our available air lift and air supply effort was not adequate, the Country having had to depend on the USAF and their C130's to provide transport for troops and supplies as well as for emergency airlifting of equipment from NATO bases in Turkey!

 

 

The  Six Steps Towards Victory India

 

 

 So what are the take-aways from the India-China war and the subsequent wars which our country has fought?

 

Firstly, as eloquently stated by a thoughtful observer, modern wars have a powerful tendency to escalate in ways that surpass political considerations. In such circumstances, war is no longer a mere continuation of politics by other means. Especially in the nuclear age, the potential consequences of war could be catastrophic, threatening the very existence of a nation. Therefore, to prevent our foreign policy or internal security issues from spiraling out of control or beyond the capacity of our armed forces, it is crucial to involve the military hierarchy in national decision-making processes. Their insights and expertise are essential to ensure that strategic decisions align with the realities of modern warfare and capabilities of the nation's military.

 

Secondly, a nation’s military must be adequately equipped and trained in accordance with the perceived threats and national policies. To use the military as a potent deterrent or to wage a successful war, the national leadership must guarantee the availability of state-of-the-art aircraft, advanced weapon systems, surface and submarine vessels, modern firearms, reliable communication networks, cutting-edge optics, comprehensive medical supplies (including robust first aid kits), night vision technology, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and efficient logistics systems. Additionally, rigorous training programs and a focus on military-specific duties; free from secondary responsibilities typically handled by police, disaster management and security services—are essential. This focus ensures that soldiers are fully prepared to operate advanced technologies in complex combat environments. The process of training and specialization should be continuous, ensuring the military remains agile and ready to respond to any national challenge swiftly and effectively.

 

Thirdly, in order to discourage 'mediocrity' rising to higher ranks who will then keep pulling up 'similar qualified' officers, the military needs to replace its outdated 'personnel and promotion processes'  with contemporary personnel and talent management systems that reward innovation, military brilliance, leadership, spoken reputation, field experience and knowledge (not necessarily restricted to GS pamphlets by rote). It is also unfortunate that the existing Indian army policies reward compliance, not performance or innovation! A study conducted by a foreign military research institute found that the primary reason why many talented individuals leave the military is not the attraction of a lucrative civilian career, but rather the fact that mediocre individuals remain in the military and are promoted. This creates an environment where those with greater potential and capabilities become disillusioned, as they see less qualified individuals advancing to higher ranks.

 About two decades back, a serving Lt Col of the US Army had published a scathing critique of American generals titled “A Failure in Generalship.” In the article, he sharply criticized the US Army for producing senior officers who lacked the necessary education, language skills, creativity, and moral courage. He also condemned the general officer promotion system, deeming it inherently flawed.  His central argument was clear and direct: the US Army’s promotion system was failing to produce the caliber of leadership required for modern challenges, resulting in a lack of essential qualities among its officers and generals.


Unfortunately, the Indian army too has created a system that by its very design, tends to self-select a large cadre of mediocre conformists at all ranks. As these individuals rise through the ranks, this trend only exacerbates the inefficiency within the military, with higher ranks often being filled by those who are less capable of leading effectively.

 

Fourthly, ‘jointmanship’- a critical aspect of modern military strategy, especially when it comes to the integration of the three services—Army, Navy, and Air Force. Jointmanship is about breaking down traditional silos and fostering a spirit of cooperation, communication, and mutual understanding. This collaboration ensures that the services can work seamlessly together, utilizing their respective strengths and capabilities in a unified approach to warfare. Sadly, this aspect has never been given its due importance in all the wars the country has fought thus far.


One of the key benefits of jointmanship is the ability to integrate various domains—land, sea, and air—into a cohesive strategy, something that is increasingly important as modern warfare becomes more complex and technology driven. Better late than never, the idea of formulating Theatre Commands is a prime example of how the Indian military is now taking steps toward achieving this integration. Theatre Commands will provide a structure where forces from all three services can be quickly mobilized and coordinated under a unified command, tailored to specific regional threats and operational requirements. This will make the military more agile and responsive.

 

Fifthly, we need a motivated military, free from political and divisive religious influence. No citizen or soldier of this country should ever be forced into a dilemma to choose between his country or his political leaning or his religion. The British, to whom we owe a modern, cohesive and well trained military, were wise in not letting religion, caste and bigotry interfere in the national political processes or the military. Whereas it is important to give soldiers full freedom to follow their faith and religion, unnecessary imposition of beliefs, dress, dietary restrictions, religious practices or certain politically motivated 'diktats' which undermine the very ethos of a cohesive and an 'inclusive' military will lead to erosion of combat effectiveness, not to speak of its affect on national unity as such. Furthermore, matters can take a serious turn when political parties and leaders undermine the fundamental 'apolitical' ethos of the armed forces for their own vested interests. A major manifestation of this is the increasing involvement of the politico-bureaucratic establishment in destroying age-old    military customs and traditions and interference in higher-level promotions and strategic placements within the Services. This interference can erode the integrity of the military, compromising its ability to function independently and effectively in the best interests of the nation. 

 

 

Sixthly and lastly, the respect for core values, traditions, and ethos within the Indian military is indeed fundamental. These principles not only promote the strength of the military but also ensure that soldiers are valued and supported both by their fellow service members and the society they protect. The emphasis on tolerance, diversity, and inclusion helps cultivate a sense of unity and purpose, fostering a positive environment that motivates soldiers to perform their duties with pride and integrity.

 

The Way Forward 

 A cohesive, well equipped and well trained military that is respected by its country tends to inspire confidence and support, not just during times of war, but also in peace. The well-being and morale of the troops are significantly influenced by such respect, and this in turn makes the military an even more effective force. The ability to connect with and be respected by the broader society creates a sense of belonging, making soldiers more resilient and committed to their role.


“Those who forget the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them”


 

About the Author :


Brig D S Sarao is a Brigade of Guards medal holder from OTA, Chennai.

A military aviator who has flown extensively in the Northern sector,

he is a law graduate from Punjab University and holds a Certificate in Disaster Management and Diplomas in Marketing Management and Business Management.


Contributing regularly to various journals, he also takes lectures on law, current affairs, disaster management, and national security.

 

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10 Comments


Sukhwant Singh
5 days ago

I am tempted to comment on a few views of others. But it’s time our military ‘thinkers’ are more honest about the need for a good revamp in military thinking. Tony Sarao has always been a keen student and follower of history. We flew together years ago and I respect him.

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Sukhwant Singh
5 days ago

Brig DS Sarao’s insightful article, The Six Steps Towards Victory India, is a timely reminder of why India must deeply engage with its military history. His arguments resonate strongly, especially in an era where historical awareness is often neglected in favor of short-term strategic thinking.


One of the most compelling aspects of his analysis is the emphasis on learning from past conflicts. History is not just a collection of events; it is a repository of lessons that shape future military preparedness.


Brig Sarao’s six steps serve as a roadmap for strengthening India’s military future. A deeper engagement with history will not only honor past sacrifices but also pave the way for smarter, more effective defense policies. His article is a…

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Col Dastidar
5 days ago

This is a very indepth and timely article written by Brig Depinder . It reiterates the need of the hour to allow political leadership to let military commanders deal with military strategy , planning and conduct of ops without interference or be ready to a 62 kind of a situation.


To keep military shipshape the political and bureaucratic set up must define national strategy to defend the nation and tell it’s military the threat the nation faces , both internal and external and then do its best to fulfill the wish list it’s military wants to be ready to meet the challenges including budget for adequate training as it’s only a well trained military can come up to the expectations…


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Malvinder Singh
5 days ago

I after having gone through the article more than once have the following


Firstly there is a marked difference between discussions healthy discussions and arguments and each can contribute as much but being argumentative will lead to - who is superior.

Going back to position in ‘62’ well one can state that the political leadership had no idea about how to fight when it came to their door steps. China had Airbases in the hinterland where as IAF was at TEJPUR and near about but was grounded due to outside assurances. India was in a phase where left hand did not know what the right was doing plus the PACIFIST ASPECT did lead to a disaster as in democracy Politic…

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Guest
6 days ago

A well reasearch,analysed and articulated article . He has dwelled on two important facets . History and the future .

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