Nehru’s ambition to become world hero responsible for 1962 Himalayan blunder: Tipnis

“Former Prime Minister (PM) of India, Jawahar Lal Nehru’s ambition to become world hero, had surrendered the national security interest during 1962 Indo-China war,” said Air Chief Marshal Anil Y tipnis, former chief of Indian Air Force (IAF).Tipnis was in Chandigarh on Sunday to preside over a seminar on “India and China: After 5 decades of Sino-India War” organized by centre for security and strategy. Further referring the role of Nehru during the Indo-China war and his “failure” to act on prior information about Chinese intention, Tipnis said that the results of the war reflects his Inability to read writings on wall”. He added that the then political head of the nation must have stepped down because Indian troops were not having basic clothing and weapon and it was really shocking “how they ordered them to loose the war”.


Speaking on the issue, former army Chief, General V P Malik said that Nehru was the single face of India as far as foreign affairs were concerned at that time and his ‘Forward policy’ during the war was without application of mind because it was ordered without accessing our own strength, capabilities of air power and building infrastructure for the troops.
General Malik also rubbished Nehru statement made at that time on Indo-China war in Srilanka that “he has ordered his army to throw them (chinese) out “.

Malik added that the then home minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had informed the government through a letter on November 7, 1950 about that the Chinese government is trying to delude us by professions of peaceful intentions but the letter was kept locked for 12 years.
General Malik termed the decision of not using air force at that time as “Unforgettable error of judgment”.

Malik also criticised the statement of Nehru made in 1962 that India is in better position in Ladakh region while the GOC of 15 corps, who was responsible for the security of Ladakh region, Lt Gen S D Verma had disagreed Nehru’s claim.
Bharat Karnad, Research Professor, Centre for Policy Research, was of the view that time has come when India should adopt the policy of Tit fo Tat with China. Karnad added that the historical experience says that ‘appeasing policy’ adopted by India for China, is not viable at present time.
He also emphasizes on spending India’s defence budget on developing strategic capabilities like what China is doing.

Former high commissioner of India to Pakistan, G Parthasarathy was of the view that for China, morality does not matter and the time has come when India need to be very firm with China. Speaking on the ocassion, Security analyst Ram Madhav said that the strategic culture in the country needs to be developed. Organiser of the seminar, former Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, P C Dogra introduced the audience about the topic and the speakers.