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Vivek Katju

Articles by Vivek Katju

Decolonising the mind is a complex endeavour

A new history has begun through Kartavya Path, or the path of duty. Modi urged the nation to leave behind all vestiges of colonial mentality.

Removing colonialism from the Indian mindset is also part of a larger issue: Does not Kartavya Path now demand the proud Army of the Indian Republic to abandon the legacy of how some of its units were raised? That would be a fitting tribute to Netaji. (Sanjeev Verma/Hindustan Times)

opinion

Published on Sep 22, 2022 07:05 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

True stability remains elusive in Afghanistan

A year after the Taliban takeover, the nation is mired in political contradictions and economic distress.

Taliban fighters celebrate one year since they seized the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Monday. (AP)

opinion

Published on Aug 15, 2022 08:53 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

Eliminating Pakistani intrusions in the Valley

The latest manifestation of Pakistan’s policies and actions are the targeted killings. The State must act decisively to protect the people of the region

The targeted killings now being undertaken are of Kashmiri Pandits, including those who are working under the government’s special schemes. (Twitter/@razaacademyho)

opinion

Published on Jun 05, 2022 09:12 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

Review: Fiji: A Love Story by Ajay Singh

The memoirs of the former Indian ambassador to Fiji highlight, through his own family’s history, the iniquities of the colonial indentured system whose consequences continue to embitter that nation’s politics

A view of Suva, the capital of Fiji. (Shutterstock)

books

Updated on May 16, 2022 06:58 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

Turmoil in Pakistan: What lies ahead

If the Supreme Court allows the no-trust motion, the nation may see an army-supported coalition government. Otherwise, elections will be held in July

Imran Khan has donned the garb of a martyr to Islam and Pakistan’s dignity. Ironically, taking a dig at politicians and generals for bending before outside powers, he praised India’s non-aligned foreign policy on three separate occasions (AFP)

opinion

Updated on Apr 04, 2022 08:38 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

India must be sharper in dealing with Kabul

India’s Afghan policy needs to move into higher gear, accept realities and deal openly with the Taliban

The gap between the Taliban and the major powers on these matters has resulted in the adoption of a two-pronged global approach towards the Taliban. (Shutterstock)

opinion

Updated on Feb 15, 2022 07:03 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

Clarify stand on the Siachen demilitarisation issue

There was a time when the cost of maintaining positions on those icy heights was high in terms of human lives. However, by the mid-1990s, the Indian Army gained enough expertise to reduce these costs. Consequently, the compulsions of the past no longer apply

Ever since India thwarted Pakistan’s intention of gaining control of the Saltoro Ridge and the Siachen glacier in 1984, Pakistan’s objective has been to see the Indian Army come down from its positions. (HTPHoto)

opinion

Updated on Jan 19, 2022 08:00 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

The implications of the two-nation theory

Fifty years since the creation of Bangladesh, Pakistan’s ideology — based solely on Islam — remains rigid. This is why its bilateral engagement with India has failed

Pakistan has never been serious about building a cooperative relationship. In focusing on confrontation, and not walking the path of cooperation, it has paid a heavy economic price, but it has willingly incurred it (REUTERS)

opinion

Updated on Dec 08, 2021 08:23 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

Pakistan is caught in a trap of its own making

Khan’s increased tensions with the army have come at a time Pakistan needs civil-military stability and political calm. It is facing immense external and domestic challenges

The army is watching Khan’s discomfiture with some satisfaction. It will, however, not let the situation get completely out of hand (REUTERS)

opinion

Updated on Oct 29, 2021 05:33 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

Taliban: Two months on, India’s options in Kabul

In the absence of certainty that the major powers will act on Afghanistan, India must follow an independent policy in keeping with its national interest

India took the correct decision in withdrawing the embassy in August but it is now time to send a small team back to Kabul (AFP)

opinion

Updated on Oct 14, 2021 07:14 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

In Kabul, the centrality of Pakistan

The presence of erstwhile leaders of the Northern Alliance in Islamabad is a stark reflection of current geopolitical realities

A Pakistani paramilitary soldier stands guard as people enter Pakistan through a border crossing point, in Chaman, Pakistan, Tuesday. (AP)

opinion

Updated on Aug 17, 2021 04:39 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

India is losing out in Afghanistan

There is a strategic paralysis in Delhi, even as other strategic challenges are growing. All other powers are talking to the Taliban and securing their interests

In Delhi, on July 28, external affairs minister S Jaishankar and United States secretary of state Antony Blinken strongly endorsed the need for a peaceful and negotiated settlement to end the Afghan conflict. (AP)

opinion

Updated on Aug 02, 2021 08:08 AM IST

ByVivek Katju

What India should do in Afghanistan

It should focus on securing interests and openly engage with Taliban; this is possible without damaging current New Delhi-Kabul ties

Cyclists peddle past a mural painted on the wall along a road in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Representational image/AFP)

opinion

Updated on Jul 12, 2021 11:45 AM IST

ByVivek Katju

The pension amendment rules are flawed

They obliterate the distinction between serving and retired officials, misconstrue the idea of domain knowledge, and are selective in their application

Representational image. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

opinion

Updated on Jun 04, 2021 05:55 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

On India, the contestation within Pakistan’s army

In considering the India-Pakistan relationship, it is important to bear in mind that the Pakistani army has always maintained a stranglehold on its approach towards India

opinion

Published on Apr 22, 2021 06:16 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

In Kabul, a strategic defeat for the US

The elaborate United States (US) draft “Afghanistan peace agreement”, and its impatient letter to Afghan president Ashraf Ghani, once again reveal the strategic defeat of the US in a country that has been “the graveyard of empires”

The US proposal requires Taliban to give up sources of strength and Kabul’s leadership to give up power. India’s inclusion in talks is because of its influence with the Kabul elite (Vipin Kumar/HT PHOTO)

opinion

Updated on Mar 11, 2021 06:42 AM IST

ByVivek Katju

The difficult path to Indo-Pak peace

Pakistan’s army is on board with the ceasefire. But unless it revises its position on terror and Kashmir, talks will hit a barrier

PM Modi’s first foray at peace-making with Pakistan had been directed at its civilian leadership. That completely miffed the generals. The situation is different this time, with a military-to-military statement (PIB)

opinion

Updated on Mar 01, 2021 06:21 AM IST

ByVivek Katju

Navigating India’s dilemmas in the neighbourhood

India must always be wary of adopting interventionist policies in the neighbourhood. Equally, reflexive anti-Indian sentiment among neighbours will always damage their national interest and the personal political interest of their leaders

It cannot be claimed that India has maintained a policy of strict neutrality over the past seven decades in matters of its neighbours (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO)

opinion

Updated on Feb 08, 2021 09:17 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

Navigating Trudeau’s unacceptable intrusion and diaspora diplomacy

The Canadian PM’s remarks about the farmers’ protest, a domestic issue in India, are inexcusable. That Trudeau made them to pander to his closely-aligned political, sectional opinion neither diminishes their intrusiveness nor provides a veneer of justification.

India correctly called Trudeau’s comment “unwarranted”, but it would seem from the formulation used by the ministry of external affairs spokesperson that it was diplomatically engaged with Canada on this issue(REUTERS)

analysis

Updated on Dec 03, 2020 11:37 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

In Pakistan, a new battle takes shape | Analysis

The Opposition has challenged Imran Khan and the army. Khan is weak; the army is not

The army will close ranks to protect its role in the polity. The India factor will be used to remind the people that it is needed to protect them, especially at this time(AP)

analysis

Updated on Oct 14, 2020 09:06 AM IST

ByVivek Katju

Bridging the power gap with China

The old framework of ties has broken down. It is time for India to develop a new approach

The hardening of defences all along the LAC to prevent Chinese adventurism has to be undertaken on a priority basis(AP)

analysis

Updated on Sep 09, 2020 07:37 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

On foreign policy, revive tradition of bipartisanship

In the wake of the China challenge, the government and the Opposition must have a quiet conversation on strategy

A consensus can only emerge through confidential dialogue with all sections(ANI)

analysis

Published on Aug 10, 2020 07:58 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

Domestic constraints will impinge on the China policy |Opinion

China is India’s greatest strategic threat. Counter it, but retain the focus on Covid-19, economy, social cohesion

India’s diplomatic energies should not get diffused at a time when the primary area of concern must be domestic(AP)

analysis

Updated on Jun 26, 2020 07:55 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

India will have to contest charges of religious bias

Pakistan is spreading propaganda. But counter it through effective action and a return to constitutionalism

While international liberal opinion was further alienated because of religion becoming a factor in granting nationality, despite Pakistan’s best efforts, the Gulf countries did not become hostile(Burhaan Kinu/HT PHOTO)

analysis

Published on May 11, 2020 05:53 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

The mystery behind India’s stance on HCQ

On March 25, India banned export of HCQ — with exceptions. On April 4, it banned it - without exceptions. On April 7, it lifted it. What changed?

Currently, HCQ is allowed to be used in India as a prophylactic for frontline health workers in the fight against COVID-19 and household contacts of laboratory confirmed cases.(Sakib Ali /Hindustan Times)

analysis

Updated on Apr 09, 2020 11:53 AM IST

ByVivek Katju

Include the Opposition in executive decision-making | Opinion

Covid-19 is the greatest challenge India has faced since Independence. The political class must unite to face it

Social harmony remains fragile. A united political class will help win trust(Santosh Kumar/Hindustan Times)

analysis

Published on Mar 25, 2020 07:18 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

The defensive turn in India’s foreign policy, writes Vivek Katju

Diplomats are busy clarifying domestic decisions. This expends capital and diverts attention from India’s goals

India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar, Brussels, February 17, 2020(AP)

analysis

Published on Mar 08, 2020 06:21 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

After Pulwama, India effected a doctrinal shift

With the emphasis on pre-emptive action, India has signalled that it will no longer accept loss of lives

The site of the Pulwama attack, February 14, 2019. Prior to the surgical strikes, India followed a policy of hardening defences to prevent terrorist attacks and diplomatic responses whenever they did take place and led to large loss of life(PTI)

analysis

Published on Feb 13, 2020 07:37 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

Time to address Muslim anxieties | Opinion

The Indian polity must aim to make them full and active participants in all spheres of national life

JanIndia’s strategic interests require social peace. Neither aggression nor withdrawal will help(Santosh Kumar /HT)

analysis

Updated on Jan 07, 2020 09:12 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

The value of diplomatic engagement

India must continue to engage with all, including critics, while pushing its own narrative

The test of diplomacy is in opening closed minds. India must engage with leaders of both parties in the US(AFP)

analysis

Published on Dec 24, 2019 07:26 PM IST

ByVivek Katju

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Vivek Katju

A new history has begun through Kartavya Path, or the path of duty. Modi urged the nation to leave behind all vestiges of colonial mentality.

A year after the Taliban takeover, the nation is mired in political contradictions and economic distress.

The latest manifestation of Pakistan’s policies and actions are the targeted killings. The State must act decisively to protect the people of the region

The memoirs of the former Indian ambassador to Fiji highlight, through his own family’s history, the iniquities of the colonial indentured system whose consequences continue to embitter that nation’s politics

If the Supreme Court allows the no-trust motion, the nation may see an army-supported coalition government. Otherwise, elections will be held in July

India’s Afghan policy needs to move into higher gear, accept realities and deal openly with the Taliban

There was a time when the cost of maintaining positions on those icy heights was high in terms of human lives. However, by the mid-1990s, the Indian Army gained enough expertise to reduce these costs. Consequently, the compulsions of the past no longer apply

Fifty years since the creation of Bangladesh, Pakistan’s ideology — based solely on Islam — remains rigid. This is why its bilateral engagement with India has failed

Khan’s increased tensions with the army have come at a time Pakistan needs civil-military stability and political calm. It is facing immense external and domestic challenges

In the absence of certainty that the major powers will act on Afghanistan, India must follow an independent policy in keeping with its national interest

The presence of erstwhile leaders of the Northern Alliance in Islamabad is a stark reflection of current geopolitical realities

There is a strategic paralysis in Delhi, even as other strategic challenges are growing. All other powers are talking to the Taliban and securing their interests

It should focus on securing interests and openly engage with Taliban; this is possible without damaging current New Delhi-Kabul ties

They obliterate the distinction between serving and retired officials, misconstrue the idea of domain knowledge, and are selective in their application

In considering the India-Pakistan relationship, it is important to bear in mind that the Pakistani army has always maintained a stranglehold on its approach towards India

The elaborate United States (US) draft “Afghanistan peace agreement”, and its impatient letter to Afghan president Ashraf Ghani, once again reveal the strategic defeat of the US in a country that has been “the graveyard of empires”

Pakistan’s army is on board with the ceasefire. But unless it revises its position on terror and Kashmir, talks will hit a barrier

India must always be wary of adopting interventionist policies in the neighbourhood. Equally, reflexive anti-Indian sentiment among neighbours will always damage their national interest and the personal political interest of their leaders

The Canadian PM’s remarks about the farmers’ protest, a domestic issue in India, are inexcusable. That Trudeau made them to pander to his closely-aligned political, sectional opinion neither diminishes their intrusiveness nor provides a veneer of justification.

The Opposition has challenged Imran Khan and the army. Khan is weak; the army is not

The old framework of ties has broken down. It is time for India to develop a new approach

In the wake of the China challenge, the government and the Opposition must have a quiet conversation on strategy

China is India’s greatest strategic threat. Counter it, but retain the focus on Covid-19, economy, social cohesion

Pakistan is spreading propaganda. But counter it through effective action and a return to constitutionalism

On March 25, India banned export of HCQ — with exceptions. On April 4, it banned it - without exceptions. On April 7, it lifted it. What changed?

Covid-19 is the greatest challenge India has faced since Independence. The political class must unite to face it

Diplomats are busy clarifying domestic decisions. This expends capital and diverts attention from India’s goals

With the emphasis on pre-emptive action, India has signalled that it will no longer accept loss of lives

The Indian polity must aim to make them full and active participants in all spheres of national life

India must continue to engage with all, including critics, while pushing its own narrative

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