Still marching in the past: Modi govt way off target on military reforms

Modi government had a rare chance to reform and modernise India's military. But it blew up the chance and settled instead for tinkering

Everybody is entitled to make a few genuine mistakes. That defence, however, is not available for deliberate inaction. A missed opportunity is an indefensible and unwise blunder.

As is the Modi government’s missing out the opportunity to institute fundamental reform in the Indian military and defence structure. A full-term government with a full majority after 30 years, with a strong leader and a military-friendly image, had a rare opportunity for reform, desperately needed but delayed for decades. There is no point blaming previous governments. They all lacked majorities, time, or political capital. None had all three at any time for