Since the early days of independence, the Indian political class has ensured that the armed forces are never ever given all they need (let alone what they want). The logic was and still is to keep the armed forces from becoming too powerful to ‘handle’. Examples being Pakistan, Israel, Thailand and Burma, to mention a few.
That was fine till the advent of guerilla warfare – or, terrorism.
When terrorism became a ‘new’ global tool, the political class tried to counter it with their own band of rogues – the Taliban is a great example. The CIA nurtured it to drive USSR out of Afghanistan, only to end up having to fight it itself! Khalistan movement is another example at home. The moral of the story: If you ride a tiger, dismount only if you want to become its dinner!
So that leaves us with facing terrorism with an inept domestic force like CRPF and local Police. The army isn’t trained for guerilla war, the “special forces” are. But that force is non-existent in India, if at all. And they’re well tucked away from reality.
The time has come for GOI to raise and build an extremely strong army of ‘special, covert ops forces’. If we are “late” in doing this, we can compensate in being overboard in size, strength and liberal use of such a force to bring down the threat of terrorism. Thats what the US and other western countries are saying when they complain that India isnt stepping up to the plate since the epicentre of terrorism is next door.
But that will need a GOI with guts and a spine. Apparently, this one doesn’t have what it takes. Ironically its headed by a person from a brave race of Sikhs but who has become a domesticated terrier of “The Firm.”
God help India!, since the “youth” in India are busy aping the west and chasing a mirage called fame.