Source-This post on Commemoration of 25th Anniversary of Kargil War has been created based on the article “Kargil@2025: PM Modi needs to carry forward steps taken by Atal Bihari Vajpayee to strengthen national security” published in “The Indian Express” on 29 July 2024.
UPSC Syllabus– GS Paper-3- Security Challenges and their Management in Border Areas
Context- On July 26, the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War, Prime Minister honored the heroes who showed immense bravery despite the challenging Himalayan terrain.PM Highlighted that India not only won the war but also demonstrated “truth, restraint and strength.”
What are the distinctive facets of Kargil War?
1) First Post-Cold War Conflict -In the post-Cold War era, this was the first time two neighboring nuclear states fought a limited but intense war over territory.
2) Nuclear Restraint-Both sides displayed nuclear restraint and avoided a destructive escalation.
3) Strategic Decision- Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s decision to remove intruders without crossing the Line of Control reassured the global community of India’s limited military objective.
4) Media Impact- This was India’s first televised war, boosting public awareness and nationalism. Captain Vikram Batra’s “Yeh Dil Mange More” became a memorable rallying cry.
What are major omissions and inadequacies of Kargil War?
1) Inter-Service Cooperation-There was a lack of inter-service cooperation, especially between the Army and the Air Force.
2) Intelligence Failure: – The covert intrusion by Pakistani troops is attributed to insufficient timely intelligence. Some sources blame the RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) for the failure.
What are the Post-Kargil Reforms undertaken by the then government?
1) Kargil Review Committee (KRC)– Established on July 29, 1999, it submitted its report by mid-December 1999.
2) Group of Ministers (GoM)– Formed on April 17, 2000, to review the national security system. It established four Task Forces to focus on intelligence, internal security, border management, and defense management.
3) Task Forces (TFs)– Led by external experts from outside the government, it submitted its findings by September 2000. The reports were presented to Parliament and made available to the public in redacted versions.
Read More- National Security Strategy of India
What were the Challenges in Implementation?
1) Incomplete Implementation- The Vajpayee government’s focus shifted due to other major events, such as 9/11 and the December 2000 Parliament attack. This left the implementation of the GOM TF recommendations unfinished.
2) Subsequent Security Lapses- Just a decade after the Kargil War, India faced terror attacks again: in Mumbai in November 2008 and in Galwan in June 2020.
What should be the way forward?
1) There is a need to learn from the Kargil War, implement broad national security reforms, and avoid politicizing security issues.
2) The current government should build on the foundations set by the previous administrations by focusing on transparency, parliamentary discussions, and a non-partisan approach to national security.
Question for practice
What are the key aspects of the Kargil War? What were its major shortcomings and issues? What reforms did the government implement after the Kargil War?
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