Brig SK Chatterji (retd)

With the BJP using security as a major plank of its election campaign, a lot is expected now from Mr Rajnath Singh. And the challenges that confront him are enormous.

The Pulwama attack was an intelligence failure, until we accept that, we will remain exposed to such acts of terrorism. That said, the only way we can fight such slips is if India's defence is amped up.

As the US talks with the Taliban, everyone from the Afghan govt to India, China and Pakistan, are watching. What role will each power play in the war-torn country which could be a new breeding ground for ISIS and al-Qaeda?

With the increased flow of traffic along this corridor, smugglers and criminals will also creep in.

Rajapaksa’s pro-Chinese stance has given New Delhi reasons to worry.

A change in guard at Thimphu could mean a pro-China tilt. As such, India needs to retain its primacy in Bhutan's foreign policy priorities.

The requirement of addressing the depleting strength of the Indian Air Force is an issue beyond debate.

The Indian defence outlook post-Independence has been centered around to its land borders. New Delhi needs to look at the seas now.

Pakistan Army will remain the all-important decisive force by calibrating the role of terror groups.

Pakistan will make a concerted effort to prove that Governor's rule is no answer to the troubles of the people living in the Valley.

With about 50 per cent cut in supply from ordnance factories, it will interesting to see if they can face the challenge from other bidders.

The ministry of defence bureaucracy will certainly have to increase its pace in decision-making instead of endless comments and notings on file.

The cornered former PM will find enough means to dent the Pakistani leadership’s image in the days to come.

The Quad has a combination that worries China, and there are good reasons for it.

Almost every major global defence manufacturer was in Chennai to retain and expand its market.

Despite approvals given to a number of acquisitions, nothing much seems to have been delivered on the ground.

The pace at which modernisation is being pursued even now by the dispensation at Delhi is quite inadequate.

The Kurds of Iraq have strengthened their case for a state of their own.

CPEC runs through one of the most volatile stretches in the world.

Among Beijing's objectives was to lower India’s prestige in the region as well as globally.

The obvious first step for both sides is to return to their old positions.

The need is to first decide on the rationale for creating joint commands.

Public support for military operations is critical to any war effort, especially so in democracies.

A few issues have historically dogged the India-Sri Lanka relationship.

Our problem in the Valley has not just been losing out on the gains garnered repeatedly, but also losing the media space to militants.

We need to stabilise Kashmir. Dialogues with separatists are useful only after the terror infrastructure has been put on the backfoot.