The eight-point consensus between India and China after Doval-Wang Yi talks is a welcome step after years of tensions that have damaged bilateral ties. But the real test lies ahead. Will Beijing and New Delhi move beyond border stabilisation to genuine de-escalation and delimitation, or merely manage an unresolved LAC?
Nepal floods show climate change makes the Himalayas acutely vulnerable. Governments must be mindful
The fury and devastation of Nepal floods are another reminder of the fragile, unsettled Himalayan ecology. Rivers always have right of way. These are also densely populated, over-constructed areas with frenzied tourism infrastructure. Governments must be mindful. Climate change makes Himalayas acutely vulnerable. It’s a young range, still in progress.
Smart nations don’t obsess over past wars. Former CDS Gen Anil Chauhan, move on from Op Sindoor
There’re two lessons from former CDS Gen Anil Chauhan’s false moment with loitering munitions and Kirana Hills. The first: weigh your words very carefully on nuclear issues. The second: move on from Op Sindoor. Smart nations don’t obsess over wars of the past. They prepare for wars of the future.
Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams reaching the quarters is a plus. Mourning is unnecessary
Mourning India’s failure to make the semifinals in the simultaneous men’s and women’s hockey World Cups is unnecessary. Both teams reaching the quarterfinals is a plus. The top eight are competitive. The women were undefeated except once. Wrinkles: the men’s defence lags. The women’s is stellar, but they can’t score.
Ideally, both countries should reduce drastically the number of troops, along with heavy weapons, in forward locations. Maintaining a year long presence, including the rigours of winter at heights of 15,000 feet.
Since the time of PMs Rajiv Gandhi and Benazir Bhutto, India and Pakistan have agreed not to attack each other’s nuclear sites. They exchange a list of such installations each year. Some time back, an Indian nuclear capable missile ( without a warhead ) had strayed inadvertently into Pakistani air space before it crashed. Sometimes miscalculation can set off a spiral. Nuclear armed adversaries, where there is deep distrust on both sides, need to put in place better safety protocols.
The Himalayan glaciers keep northern India’s rivers perennial. They are melting away. There will be a surge for a few decades. Then they will all be gone.