Context

• On July 26, 2024, India commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War, a conflict that tested the nation's resolve and showcased the extraordinary valour of its armed forces.
• Prime Minister Modi led the nation in paying tribute to the brave soldiers who, despite the formidable challenges posed by the rugged Himalayan terrain, safeguarded India's sovereignty.
• While commemorating the Kargil anniversary, it is important to reflect on whether the Kargil war of mid-1999 was a victory or a case of the armed forces evicting Pakistani troops from Indian territory at a high human cost.

The Legacy of Kargil War

• Military Strategy and Tactics
  • The Kargil War was marked by the audacious infiltration of Pakistani soldiers and militants into the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC), occupying strategic high-altitude positions.
  • The Indian military's response, involving coordinated operations by the Army and the Air Force, showcased exemplary strategic planning and tactical execution under extreme conditions.
  • The terrain and altitude posed severe logistical challenges, yet the Indian forces managed to reclaim most of the occupied positions.
  • This demonstrated not only the military's resilience and adaptability but also highlighted gaps in India's defence preparedness that needed urgent attention.
• Political and Diplomatic Impacts
  • On the political front, the Kargil War solidified the leadership of then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his government.
  • Despite being a caretaker government after losing a vote of confidence, Vajpayee's administration took decisive steps to address the crisis.
  • The successful military campaign and the government's handling of the war contributed significantly to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) electoral success later that year.
  • Diplomatically, the war reinforced India's stance on the sanctity of the LoC and exposed Pakistan's duplicity on the global stage, as international opinion largely sided with India.
• National Identity and Public Sentiment
  • The Kargil War was the first conflict in India to be extensively covered by television media, bringing the harsh realities of war into living rooms across the nation.
  • This unprecedented media coverage created a strong sense of nationalism and collective solidarity among the Indian populace.
  • Stories of heroism, such as Captain Vikram Batra's legendary battle cry Yeh Dil Maange More, became part of the national ethos, inspiring generations and embedding the sacrifices of the soldiers into the national consciousness.
• The Nuclear Context and Military Restraint
  • The Kargil War holds a unique place in history as the first post-Cold War conflict between two nuclear-armed neighbours.
  • Despite initial threats from Pakistani diplomats at the UN, both nations exercised nuclear restraint, preventing the feared apocalyptic escalation.
  • PM Vajpayee's prudent decision to evict the intruders without crossing the LoC reassured the international community of India's limited military objectives.

Gaps Highlighted by the Kargil War in India’s Defence and Security Apparatus and Post-War Steps and Reforms

• Military and Intelligence Shortcomings
  • Detailed analyses and first-person accounts reveal significant lapses in inter-service cooperation, particularly between the Army and the Air Force.
  • The lack of timely intelligence, which allowed Pakistani troops to stealthily intrude into Indian territory, has been a point of contention.
  • While some blame the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for this failure, others dispute this view. Regardless, these embedded lessons are crucial for the current Modi government.
• Post-War Reforms
  • Following the war, Prime Minister Vajpayee took unprecedented steps to address these lapses.
  • He established the Kargil Review Committee (KRC) in July 1999 to examine the sequence of events and recommend future measures.
  • The KRC's report led to the formation of a Group of Ministers (GoM) in April 2000, which reviewed the national security system and set up four Task Forces on intelligence, internal security, border management, and defence management.
  • The involvement of domain experts like G.C. Saxena, N.N. Vohra, Madhav Godbole, and Arun Singh highlighted the government's commitment to comprehensive reform.
  • However, the Vajpayee government's focus was diverted by subsequent events, including the 9/11 attacks and the terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001.
  • As a result, the implementation of the GoM's recommendations remained incomplete.
  • This lack of follow-through had grave consequences, as evidenced by the Mumbai attacks in November 2008 and the Galwan clash in June 2020.
• Long-term Defence Reforms
  • The aftermath of the Kargil War prompted a comprehensive review of India's defence and intelligence apparatus.
  • Recognising the lapses that allowed the initial infiltration, the Vajpayee government initiated significant reforms.
  • These efforts marked a shift towards a more integrated and responsive defence strategy.
  • The focus was on improving inter-service coordination, enhancing intelligence capabilities, and modernising the armed forces.
  • Although the implementation of these reforms was disrupted by subsequent global and domestic events, the foundations laid during this period continue to influence India's defence policies.
• Lessons for Future Conflicts
  • The Kargil War also served as a stark reminder of the necessity for continuous vigilance and preparedness.
  • The conflict exposed vulnerabilities in India's defence posture, particularly in high-altitude warfare and intelligence gathering.
  • The lessons learned have informed subsequent military strategies and training programs, ensuring that the armed forces are better equipped to handle similar threats in the future.

An Analysis of Incomplete Implementation of Post-War Reforms and Ongoing Challenges

• Political and Bureaucratic Hurdles
  • Changes in government, shifting political priorities, and bureaucratic inertia slowed the reform process.
  • The Vajpayee government's focus was diverted by significant events such as the 9/11 attacks and the 2001 Parliament attack.
• Resource Constraints: Adequate funding and resources were not consistently allocated to sustain the modernization and reform initiatives.
• Resistance to Change: Institutional resistance within the armed forces and intelligence agencies hampered the adoption of new practices and structures.
• Inconsistent Follow-Through: Subsequent governments did not always prioritize the continuation and completion of the reforms initiated by the Vajpayee administration.

The Path Forward for National Security

• The incomplete implementation of post-Kargil reforms underscores the need for sustained political will and strategic focus to build a robust national security framework.
• Prime Minister Modi, in his third tenure, faces the challenge of completing the task initiated by Vajpayee.
• National security must transcend partisan politics and be treated as a paramount concern for the nation.
• At the Dras commemoration, PM Modi asserted that it is not the party (BJP) but the country that is paramount for me.
• His leadership in this regard will define his legacy and honour the sacrifices of the soldiers who fought in Kargil.

Conclusion

• The 25th anniversary of the Kargil War serves as a poignant reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of India's armed forces.
• It also underscores the importance of addressing the shortcomings in military and intelligence coordination.
• As India moves forward, the lessons from Kargil should guide efforts to build a more robust and responsive national security framework.