Demand to have armed forces representation in NSC

Say political masters' fears of a military coup if military heads are included in the security council are baseless

The retired top military officers have asked the Modi government to consider inclusion of chiefs of armed forces in the National Security Council. All these years, the council has been dominated by politicians with no representation from the armed forces, and time has come to give representation to the armed forces, the officers said.

At an interaction session on 'Ladakh Crisis' organised by Sashri Kumoaon Foundation in Dharwad, Major General (Retd) S G Ombatkere said, the political masters apprehend a threat of a military coup if heads of armed forces are given representation in the security council, and added that their apprehensions were baseless. He said, the presence of heads of armed forces would strengthen the NSC further.

Expressing concern over tension between India and China, he said the unholy nexus between Pakistan and China was a threat to sovereignty and security of India, and this threat had been looming large over India.

But, unfortunately, Indian leaders were not able to comprehend the serious danger India was facing, he lamented.

Ladakh is the highest battleground in the world. Soldiers in Ladakh not only fight enemies, but also the odds of nature. Due to extreme cold, low pressure and lack of oxygen there, soldiers at Siachen Glacier face a tough time every moment.

"Pakistan and China are conspiring to encroach upon some land belonging to India by laying a road between Gilgit and Aksai Chin region. Though India is making efforts to check the hostile neighbour countries' conspiracy, the strategies are not enough to protect the country effectively," he observed.

"The Centre has given stress for internal security in the budget. Unfortunately, India lacks a national security code. Common people do not know about these serious issues. There should be a debate at the constitutional-level whether the armed forces should be only defensive," he said.

Founder of Sashri Kumaon Foundation Lt Gen (Rtd) S C Sardeshpande who was the chief of Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka said, 'offensive for protection' should become the national policy. India should also frame perfect strategies to counter China and Pakistan.