Manohar Parrikar | India Writes

Logistics pact to tighten India-US strategic embrace

August 30, 2016August 30, 2016 - by Manish Chand

In the emerging alphabet of India-US relations, another acronym LEMOA has been added as the two countries signed a landmark logistics exchange agreement that will enable their militaries to access each other’s military supplies and refuelling capabilities through ports and military bases.
The agreement was signed in Washington DC on August 29, a day before India and the US hold their second strategic and commercial dialogue in New Delhi. The pact is a leap of faith for India as the long-negotiated pact was bogged down in apprehensions in India regarding infringement of the country’s sovereignty in the military sphere. The inking of the pact underscores the Modi government’s design to risk political pressure to deepen military and strategic ties with the world’s most powerful country.
India’s Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his US counterpart Ashton Carter lauded the signing of the bilateral ‘Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement’ (52940157), saying the pact will facilitate opportunities for “practical engagement and exchange”.

India braces to thwart cyber attacks on defence facilities

March 2, 2016March 2, 2016 - by India Writes Network

As India seeks to enhance cyber security capabilities, its preparedness to confront security threats to its defence networks seems to be inadequate. The government has admitted to attacks on the …

Battle half won: Government unveils OROP, veterans to continue agitation

September 5, 2015September 5, 2015 - by India Writes Network

Responding to the long-standing demand from ex-servicemen, the Indian government finally announced ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) scheme on September 5. Many ex-servicemen called of the hunger strike, but they …

India’s defence minister to visit Japan

March 18, 2015 - by India Writes Network

India and Japan are set to impart a fresh ballast to their burgeoning military ties when Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar goes on his maiden foreign visit to Japan. Mr Parrikar …

Multiple challenges await India’s new defence minister

November 10, 2014November 10, 2014 - by India Writes Network

India’s new defence minister Manohar Parrikar will have to hit the ground running as he begins his tenure in South Block from November 10. From tensions on the unresolved borders with China and Pakistan to India’s embarrassing tag of being the world’s largest arms importer, he will have his hands full.
It has taken Prime Minister Narendra Modi over five months to appoint a full-time defence minister for the country. Parrikar, a grocer’s son and former Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) pracharak, is known to share a good personal rapport with Modi.
While his predecessor Arun Jaitley set the ball rolling, it will be Parrikar who will have to measure up to the challenging task of overseeing India’s operational military preparedness.
The task at hand for Parrikar is particularly onerous given that his predecessor A.K. Antony, who served as the defence minister for no less than eight years, was unwilling to take fast decisions and risks lest his image of ‘Mr Clean’ be sullied.