N-might takes a backseat at R-Day parade

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 26. Unlike the last two years, the ``show of strength'' on the Raj Path today was a sober affair.

In the equipment displayed, there was no sense of urgency in demonstrating India's nuclear status. Two years ago, the limelight at the Republic Day parade was hogged by the display of the nuclear-capable Agni missile. Last year, it was celebrated in the backdrop of the Kargil war.

Ironically, the Agni was not on display even though it has now become a battle-worthy weapon system. There is speculation that the decision not to display the missile is to send a positive signal to China that India's nuclear deterrence capability is not directed against it. In fact, India waited for the departure of Mr. Li Peng, the number two man in the Chinese political hierarchy, to leave before testing the Agni-II earlier this month.

The Prithvi, which can carry a nuclear warhead up to 300 km, was on show. India, however, may not deploy Prithvi as a tactical nuclear missile, choosing the Agni and aircraft such as the TU- 22, which are likely to be imported from Russia, as the principal nuclear delivery systems. The ambiguity associated with Prithvi, therefore, does not necessarily symbolise India's nuclear status.

The equipment display, however, did project India's capacity to strike indepth with conventional weapons. Not surprisingly, the SU-30s and the Jaguar planes acquired a high profile during the show. Both these planes can strike key high value targets across its western borders. However, their utility is still Pakistan- centric. The SU-30s will acquire greater relevance against China only after their range is fully exploited. That would depend on the still-awaited acquisition of air-to-air refuelling tankers.

For the first time, India's capacity to credibly strike far away land targets from sea was on show. Both the Sindhushastra submarine and the Talwar class ship, whose models were on show, are being equipped with Klub missiles. There was no noticeable change in the rest of the equipment which rolled down Raj Path. The Arjun tanks spearheaded the display of the armoured columns. The parade showed the OSA-AK mobile systems for countering hostile aircraft.

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