The Armies of South Asia

Edited by Vishal Chandra
Publication: Pentagon Press
Edition: Hardcover
ISBN: 978-81-8274-706-7
Pages: 162
Price: Rs.795/-

The economic surge in Asia has been discussed for long. But, there also has always been another aspect attached to South Asian matters. The effect of insurgency and terrorism has not let the economic growth to pan out across the spectrum in the region. Sri Lanka could come out of the civil war after a protracted conflict, Pakistan is yet facing the violent results of its nurturing of religious terrorists, and Afghanistan is mired in a state of total collapse with the international community scrambling to extend support to run the country.

Simultaneously, the other countries are affected similarly. Nepal is struggling to keep the democratic government running with the Chief Justice agreeing to run the ‘election government’. Bangladesh has often been witness to political violence, which has been a major challenge to the socio-political stability of the country. Maldives is in the grip of the politics of vendetta.

The countries in the region are in different stages of the national evolution and so are their key governing institutions. The armies of the countries mentioned above have been playing an active role in these conditions. Although a glance of the Title might let a reader believe that this would be another attempt to pitch the arms and systems and show the graphic representation of India being the strongest. But, nothing can be as wrong as this.

It requires mentioning that once a reader begins, he/she will find the title suitable. This book is an attempt to give the readers a fair idea of the genesis of a strong tool, Army, in the seven countries it has covered. The chapters are country wise and each chapter begins with the security environment of the country. The chapters on each country has information about the security environment and the geopolitical and strategic significance. It moves ahead with the geographical terrain and the respective country’s threat perceptions.

With issues related to security coming to the fore in recent times, the Armies are often in the news. This might generate a lot of questions like will the army take over, will there be a rise in the radical elements within the forces? Here, in the book, one can find issues like structure, civil-military relationship, their recruitment, training, weapon sources and also the future prospects.

In encompassing so much, it demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the country. By reading the chapters one can surmise quite clearly that they have all the important information. The highlight is that country experts, people who have been monitoring developments in the specific countries, have been brought together for this highly informative volume.

Another good point is that this book has not served as another addition the attempts to overlook the negative perceptions about India and its role, which comes out at times. The introduction serves the purpose of placing everything in perspective and is mentioned under the heading ‘India Challenge’. It reads, “The negative perception of India in most of the neighbouring countries, despite India’s sustained confidence-building measures and several unilateral economic and political initiatives, seems near constant.” The above lines from the book on the one side arouse the reader’s interest and sets the stage for an objective assessment of the role of the Army of the respective countries and also to get an understanding of the perception which rests in the minds of the people across these nations. 

Every chapter has its own interesting articulation. As in the chapter on Bangladesh, the writer mentions, “Not only does it (Bangladesh) carry the historical baggage of an inherited strategic culture of Pakistan that has been traditionally anti-India, but also the perception of repatriated soldiers and officers who later formed the bulk of the Bangladesh Army.” While, on the one side it is talking about the composition which formed the officers and men of the Bangladesh Army, it also makes a person understand that one needs to approach such issues with sensitivity. 

Every chapter has information about the force organisation, which is interesting. The chapter on Pakistan mentions, “In 2006, the government (Pakistan) set up separate commands in its three services equipped with nuclear weapons and missiles capable of retaliating for any first nuclear strike.” 

In the security establishment, country-specific briefings are held to apprise the officials and concerned people about such aspects. But it is of prime importance that students, young officers of these establishments should read this and improve upon it to build an objective perception and opinion. The book is based on a sound foundation and serves the purpose well for the readers who get to understand the Armies in the neighbourhood. It also concludes that India has a tough task on its hands, which requires deft and refined handling. My call? Go buy!