India-US relations: News and Discussions IV

[ArjunPandit]

^Is that a gift or a business venture masquerading as gift?

And it is sad that Ranjan Tandon (an IIT'an) donated $100 Million to NYU school of engineering. He could have donated it to 100 ITIs in India., $1 Million each and that would have contributed more to India's future.

would not have earned him bragging rights in fund raising; might have been influenced with "there's so much corruption in india"

[ashish raval]

^Is that a gift or a business venture masquerading as gift?

And it is sad that Ranjan Tandon (an IIT'an) donated $100 Million to NYU school of engineering. He could have donated it to 100 ITIs in India., $1 Million each and that would have contributed more to India's future.

would not have earned him bragging rights in fund raising; might have been influenced with "there's so much corruption in india"

Don't even consider worthy of comments. Hypocritical to donate in nation of your work when your own motherland needs much more to improve and transform lives of millions. I am fine with charity runs or helping sone poor peopke here and there. But human mind works in mysterious ways. There are plenty of agenda at play rather than unselfish donation here..being immortal in Khan land might be just one of them..

[KLNMurthy]

For the record: I am in support of Indian troops deployment to Afghanistan. It serves India's interests. Outflanks Pakistan and create road links into CA. Also provides fodder to question the Durand line, strengthen Afghanistan-Pashtun Linkage influenced by Indian colors and provide meaningful assistance to Baluchistan. Challenges Pakistan's strategic depth plans. May serve as a challenge to China. Creates linkages to Gilgit and Chitral areas to strengthen our sovereign claims on NA. Will forever change Indian policy as being looked upon as pacifist.

There will be costs. Human and monetary in the short term but is an investment into securing the region, influencing the region, challenging our enemies. The action would pay long term dividends, if sustained and managed.

Any Indian troops in Afghanistan are going to be cut off from supply of materiel and reinforcements. TSP would be drooling at the opportunity.

Aside from any other considerations, I think this would be enough reason for the army to resist being deployed into Afghanistan.

[KLNMurthy]

^Chabahar - no US dependence. A wink needed from US that they are OK to do this and bribes to Iran that we do not intend to use the facility against Pakistan, unless Pakistan attacks. Also, by deploying most of the forces in Afghanistan in areas with Hazara and Iranian interests. I would not trust the US and use them initially to milk their resources with the idea that eventually they will walk off. Build Russian/central asian supplies as a backup.

Can't trust Indian soldiers' lives to Iran's whims. IIRC Iran has a habit of braying about cashmere every so often.

[chetak]

^Chabahar - no US dependence. A wink needed from US that they are OK to do this and bribes to Iran that we do not intend to use the facility against Pakistan, unless Pakistan attacks. Also, by deploying most of the forces in Afghanistan in areas with Hazara and Iranian interests. I would not trust the US and use them initially to milk their resources with the idea that eventually they will walk off. Build Russian/central asian supplies as a backup.

Can't trust Indian soldiers' lives to Iran's whims. IIRC Iran has a habit of braying about cashmere every so often.

iran never ever was and also will never ever be your friend.

We all need to get that through our thick skulls.

kick them twice for every once that they kick you and don't ever get into "joint ventures" with such a third grade, duplicitous, rent seeking country.

If need be, then cash and carry only.

[Yagnasri]

Iran now acting very pricy after getting all the support from us during the sanctions period. Do we really trust them? Further why we need to pull Khan out of this mess when they deliberately kept us out of any discussions on Afghanistan to keep pakis in good books.

We need to do whatever we are doing now and forget to send forces unless there is some serious benefit to us which is not going to come if we are only getting promise form Trumpwa.

[Philip]

http://www.newsweek.com/iran-building-n ... 2320[quote]
IRAN IS BUILDING NUCLEAR SUBMARINES AND A NEW DESTROYER DESPITE DONALD TRUMP’S WARNINGS
BY CALLUM PATON ON 9/27/17 AT 11:30 AM
Iran Tests New Ballistic Missile Hours After Showing It Off At Military Parade

Iran says it is developing nuclear-powered submarines and building a new advanced destroyer for its navy, even as tensions rise with the United States over the Islamic Republic's military expansion.

The commander of the Iranian navy told the country’s semiofficial news agency, Fars, Tuesday that Iran’s nuclear agency was under orders to start producing nuclear reactors for fueling and propulsion systems that could be used on ships and submarines.

Related: Trump slammed Iran’s ballistic missile test, then it turned out to be fake

Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said the new destroyer would be more advanced than its two predecessors, Jamaran and Damavand. "I think that we will manage to accomplish this task in the current year," he added.

The announcement of the plans for Iran’s navy came at a time of ratcheting tensions with the United States over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear ambitions. In 2015, Tehran signed an agreement with the U.S. and other world powers, giving up its nuclear weapons program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Iranian military personnel place a national flag on a submarine during the Velayat-90 navy exercises in the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran on January 3, 2012. Iran has announced plans to build nuclear-powered submarines and a new destroyer.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly railed against the deal, brokered by his predecessor Barack Obama, and used his maiden speech at the United Nations General Assembly to call the agreement an “embarrassment.”

On Saturday, the Iranian government aired footage of a ballistic missile test it said it had carried out following a military parade in Tehran. Trump slammed the launch, which later turned out to be a hoax, on Twitter. “Iran just test-fired a Ballistic Missile capable of reaching Israel. They are also working with North Korea. Not much of an agreement we have,” he wrote late Saturday.

The video, released by the Iranian government, was more than seven months old. U.S. intelligence said there were no indications Iran had tested a missile, Fox News reported, revealing the fake video. Two unnamed American officials told the news channel the footage dated back to a failed launch in late January, during which the missile exploded shortly after takeoff.

The U.S. has said that Iranian actions such as the testing of ballistic missiles violate the nuclear agreement in spirit, though not technically breaking the deal. Reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have shown Iran continues to comply with the terms of the 2015 agreement.

Iran, while condemning Trump over his bellicose rhetoric, has vowed not to break the nuclear accord. The Islamic Republic is allowed to maintain nuclear capabilities for energy but is banned from using it to create nuclear weapons. Sayyari said the nuclear submarines would be built within the framework of the deal. "We will certainly carry the job within the framework of the nuclear deal and the safeguard agreements and will not do anything beyond that," he said.

Tehran will also consult with the director general of the IAEA as it builds the nuclear engines, Sayyari added.[/quote]

Just as much as the US has relations with other nations inimical to India (China and Pak),India should not sacrifice our relations with Shiite Iran,which offer us a means of outflanking Sunni Pakistan,ensuring for us a trade route rail.road through Chahbahar to Afghanistan,Central Asian republics and Russia. If we plan top augment our dev. aid for Afghanistan we need to ensure that the route through Iran is completed asap.India convoys travelling through to Kabul could also keep an enhanced watch on Paki/Talib activities in the country.

[chetak]

http://www.newsweek.com/iran-building-n ... 2320[quote]
IRAN IS BUILDING NUCLEAR SUBMARINES AND A NEW DESTROYER DESPITE DONALD TRUMP’S WARNINGS
BY CALLUM PATON ON 9/27/17 AT 11:30 AM
Iran Tests New Ballistic Missile Hours After Showing It Off At Military Parade

Iran says it is developing nuclear-powered submarines and building a new advanced destroyer for its navy, even as tensions rise with the United States over the Islamic Republic's military expansion.

The commander of the Iranian navy told the country’s semiofficial news agency, Fars, Tuesday that Iran’s nuclear agency was under orders to start producing nuclear reactors for fueling and propulsion systems that could be used on ships and submarines.

Related: Trump slammed Iran’s ballistic missile test, then it turned out to be fake

Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said the new destroyer would be more advanced than its two predecessors, Jamaran and Damavand. "I think that we will manage to accomplish this task in the current year," he added.

The announcement of the plans for Iran’s navy came at a time of ratcheting tensions with the United States over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear ambitions. In 2015, Tehran signed an agreement with the U.S. and other world powers, giving up its nuclear weapons program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Iranian military personnel place a national flag on a submarine during the Velayat-90 navy exercises in the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran on January 3, 2012. Iran has announced plans to build nuclear-powered submarines and a new destroyer.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly railed against the deal, brokered by his predecessor Barack Obama, and used his maiden speech at the United Nations General Assembly to call the agreement an “embarrassment.”

On Saturday, the Iranian government aired footage of a ballistic missile test it said it had carried out following a military parade in Tehran. Trump slammed the launch, which later turned out to be a hoax, on Twitter. “Iran just test-fired a Ballistic Missile capable of reaching Israel. They are also working with North Korea. Not much of an agreement we have,” he wrote late Saturday.

The video, released by the Iranian government, was more than seven months old. U.S. intelligence said there were no indications Iran had tested a missile, Fox News reported, revealing the fake video. Two unnamed American officials told the news channel the footage dated back to a failed launch in late January, during which the missile exploded shortly after takeoff.

The U.S. has said that Iranian actions such as the testing of ballistic missiles violate the nuclear agreement in spirit, though not technically breaking the deal. Reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have shown Iran continues to comply with the terms of the 2015 agreement.

Iran, while condemning Trump over his bellicose rhetoric, has vowed not to break the nuclear accord. The Islamic Republic is allowed to maintain nuclear capabilities for energy but is banned from using it to create nuclear weapons. Sayyari said the nuclear submarines would be built within the framework of the deal. "We will certainly carry the job within the framework of the nuclear deal and the safeguard agreements and will not do anything beyond that," he said.

Tehran will also consult with the director general of the IAEA as it builds the nuclear engines, Sayyari added.

Just as much as the US has relations with other nations inimical to India (China and Pak),India should not sacrifice our relations with Shiite Iran,which offer us a means of outflanking Sunni Pakistan,ensuring for us a trade route rail.road through Chahbahar to Afghanistan,Central Asian republics and Russia. If we plan top augment our dev. aid for Afghanistan we need to ensure that the route through Iran is completed asap.India convoys travelling through to Kabul could also keep an enhanced watch on Paki/Talib activities in the country.[/quote]

How to protect such Indian convoys?? The afghans do not have control over much of their own territory, except in patches of afghan army dominance in some places and always closer to cities. The afghanistan countryside resembles the wild west with many sheriffs.

The iranians have also been subject to harassment by taliban type forces and their hit and run tactics which will only intensify with paki aid after we establish trade routes both in afghanistan as well as iran.

[VishalJ]

https://twitter.com/USAndIndia/status/9 ... 4822299648

[ramana]

Has DT appointed an ambassador to India yet?

[VishalJ]

Kenneth Juster

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/wvwKSh ... to-In.html

[Cain Marko]

For the record: I am in support of Indian troops deployment to Afghanistan. It serves India's interests. Outflanks Pakistan and create road links into CA. Also provides fodder to question the Durand line, strengthen Afghanistan-Pashtun Linkage influenced by Indian colors and provide meaningful assistance to Baluchistan. Challenges Pakistan's strategic depth plans. May serve as a challenge to China. Creates linkages to Gilgit and Chitral areas to strengthen our sovereign claims on NA. Will forever change Indian policy as being looked upon as pacifist.

There will be costs. Human and monetary in the short term but is an investment into securing the region, influencing the region, challenging our enemies. The action would pay long term dividends, if sustained and managed.

Any Indian troops in Afghanistan are going to be cut off from supply of materiel and reinforcements. TSP would be drooling at the opportunity.

Aside from any other considerations, I think this would be enough reason for the army to resist being deployed into Afghanistan.

Chabahar and Iran is just one possibility. Supplies could be arranged via existing NATO routes - if such a bargain is struck. Via Russia and CAsia might be another possibility.

[Singha]

Great powers fight their wars on other peoples soil

Small powers defend their own borders

[ShauryaT]

Great powers fight their wars on other peoples soil

Small powers defend their own borders

+1. Something one would learn from US, Russia and China's contemporary actions. Most in the US or internationally, I have interacted with have not understood GW Bush's Iraq campaign. They never understood its role in keeping the US safe. Guess in which direction would all the yahoos from Pakistan go to kill the infidels? Guess, who becomes safer in the process?

[Singha]

I forgot to add that great powers usually use proxies for these fights while pumping in arms and advisors and training.
we should become the main patron of the afghan national army and anti-talib NA militias, pay some of their salaries, recruit people, setup large training schools at all levels , give them all the weapons they want etc.

that way we build institutional links long term, as AF is not going to disappear and will always have a army. and we can keep our casualties low as russia does in syria. rotating 2 squadrons of strike a.c to help the AF army is also a good play....why should F18s flying off carriers with multiple tankings rule the roost? our pilots can gain exp in going after small time sensitive and agile targets in the mountains.

just meekly doing the economic and medical aid thing will be welcomed and used but not regarded as #strong

our relations with TSP and Cheen cannot be worse than it is now, so nothing to worry about there.

[Manish_Sharma]

^Is that a gift or a business venture masquerading as gift?

And it is sad that Ranjan Tandon (an IIT'an) donated $100 Million to NYU school of engineering. He could have donated it to 100 ITIs in India., $1 Million each and that would have contributed more to India's future.

People like narayanmurty and ranjan tandon have only one thing for Bharatvasis : Free discourse on how bad communal we are, we need to improve and be like anglo-saxons. rajiv tandon did IIT which was subsidised by Bharat Sarkar, but his money is only for new york wasis.

[Manish_Sharma]

^Chabahar - no US dependence. A wink needed from US that they are OK to do this and bribes to Iran that we do not intend to use the facility against Pakistan, unless Pakistan attacks. Also, by deploying most of the forces in Afghanistan in areas with Hazara and Iranian interests. I would not trust the US and use them initially to milk their resources with the idea that eventually they will walk off. Build Russian/central asian supplies as a backup.

Can't trust Indian soldiers' lives to Iran's whims. IIRC Iran has a habit of braying about cashmere every so often.

It will help save lots of american lives, by sending our soldiers to afghanistan.

Bloodthirsty porkis will put all their resources and infra to send in hordes of genocidal terrorists to attack Bharatiya soldiers who will be outnumbered and will be cut off from supply lines. This all the meteorites going towards western soldiers will change their course and go towards our Sainiks.

We let go of 90,000 porki soldiers in bangladesh at the time of 1971, porkis will put all their resources in mutilating and genociding them. Slimey deal making americans will make a secret deal with porkis to go along with it.

Although personally its no skin off my nose. My son isn't in army, neighter a brother a father or cousin. My relatives are mostly settled in west, so we are safe.

I want everyone to notice how Siachin vacating ShauryaT, who was with shyam saran and gurmit kanwal types showing their false sympathy that "....Siachin is a horrible place, think of our soldiers well being...."

simply says ".....we need to be ready to pay the price....", what is this price? may i ask USA dwelling thinker? Ahhhh I get it, the price is "Life of thousands of our soldiers". Just so casually he suggests.

[KLNMurthy]

Great powers fight their wars on other peoples soil

Small powers defend their own borders

Where does TSP fit in then, according to this definition?

They fought in Syria, and are still fighting in India. There is no real threat to their borders, not with "small power" India, so all their military machinery is for fighting on other people's land.

USA--presumptive great power--got into foolish wars on other people's land in Vietnam and Iraq. Would you claim that mindlessly jumping into every opportunity for war on foreign soil is a prerequisite for India to be a great power.

Or maybe your definition is a bit simplistic, just a smart-sounding sound bite.

[ramana]

Great powers fight their wars on other peoples soil

Small powers defend their own borders

+108.

[Gerard]

South China Morning Post
India’s overtures to the US and Japan demonstrate its post-Doklam ambitions

[NRao]

They say China manipulates the past to set the present or the future. So now history starts with Doklam.

[Philip]

Iran would be very worried if Afghanistan fell to the Taliban and under control by the Sunni Pakis,in the overall regional context.It is already faced with a strong Saudi-Gulfie-US coalition determined to destablise it and defang it of whatever BM,a and N-capability it might possess.The Russians are helping Iran with resumed mil. supplies as it too wants a powerful ,friendly Iran as a buffer between it and the frenzied Wahaabis in the ME. I don't see any major problem in using the Iran'Afghan road/rail route to supply Afghanistan with logistic supplies ,provided that there is a min. mil force protecting the convoys.While the Talib/ISI would try and use hit and run tactics to intercept and destroy such supplies,the atsk may be beyond it if there is also adequate air support ,attack helos,drones,etc.,which a revitalised Afghan military would be able to provide supported by foreign mil. advisers. Kabul has been asking for more MI-35s from India and Russia is willing to provide it with more of the same.It is the US which is trying to spoil the deal. The US after 15 years and trillions of $$$ spent,has achieved b*gger all apart from ousting Al Q and eliminating OBL,its former ally. As long as it allows the Pakis to support the Taliban from its soil,the threat of losing Kabul again to the ungodly jihadis remains. The answer is simple,to turn the screws in massive measure upon Pak.Eco and mil. sanctions,the threat of an air and naval blockade and even mil strikes to bring Pak to heel.Unless and until Pak is reduced to a cringing wasted wretch of a nation,will the region return to a measure of peace.

If the US is truly desirous of being a friend of India,it must realsie that our and global objective sin fighting global terrorism have the same enemy.Pak-supported by China.Pak is now rapidly ceding its territory,land routes and maritime bases to China in order to survive the possibility of US mil. action.The window of opportunity is closing fast.The US has lost say some the battle for the Indo-China Sea.Will it also lose the battle for Afghanistan and the IOR too?

[Amber G.]

I find it very disappointing that even a positive news item about US/India brought out many negative comments, even dragging names of good people in mud.
One quote:

^Is that a gift or a business venture masquerading as gift?

And it is sad that Ranjan Tandon (an IIT'an) donated $100 Million to NYU school of engineering. He could have donated it to 100 ITIs in India., $1 Million each and that would have contributed more to India's future.

Why don't you donate to 100 ITIs (or any institute of your choice) $1 Million each (or whatever you are willing/able to donate) ??
Instead of whining about R Tandon, IIT who donate their own money to their cause.
And dragging their name in mud.
This is truly sad, if not pathetic, to do that. IMO.

[Amber G.]

rajiv tandon did IIT which was subsidised by Bharat Sarkar, but his money is only for new york wasis.

What is/was preventing you to "do IIT" and use your money to do the right thing?
(every Bhartwasi has opportunity to attend IIT you know)

[Manish_Sharma]

Instead of whining about R Tandon, IIT who donate their own money to their cause.
And dragging their name in mud.
This is truly sad, if not pathetic, to do that. IMO.

What is positive about somebody donating money to a foreign institute?

We citizens of Bharat subsidise IIT , so if we criticized him for getting education through our subsidy and not contributing anything back home.

Don't people have right to criticize? Why be so intolerant?

[Manish_Sharma]

rajiv tandon did IIT which was subsidised by Bharat Sarkar, but his money is only for new york wasis.

What is/was preventing you to "do IIT" and use your money to do the right thing?
(every Bhartwasi has opportunity to attend IIT you know)

I chose arts for my line. Don't I have right to criticize?

But why be so intolerant? Maybe maverick's blog and their water carriers just preach tolerance while having none.

People like you, narayanmurty, ranjan have just sanctimonious speeches for Bharatvasis, and devotion for foreigners. With money and hard work you serve the west.

Funny donating money to west, serving them but they don't tolerate you on their western forums. So just for these updeshs you have to come here.

[Viv S]

What is positive about somebody donating money to a foreign institute?

We citizens of Bharat subsidise IIT , so if we criticized him for getting education through our subsidy and not contributing anything back home.

Are Ranjan Tandon's achievements solely due to IIT? Did he make his fortune in chemical engg.? Was his high school education also subsidized? Did your taxes subsidize his education at Harvard?

Also, can you please point at where it says that he has "not contributed anything back home"?

Ranjan and Chandrika Tandon

EDUCATION:

The couple has also supported places like Madras Christian College in India, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies and Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad Alumni Association. An important part of the Tandons' philanthropy is supporting Indian outfits. Back stateside, though, they've funded Brearley School, Teach for America, Teach for All and Berklee College of Music.

INDIAN CAUSES & GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT:

Recent grantees have included Hindu American Foundation, One Small House, which "builds homes and community buildings for the poorest families by bringing together determined volunteers and generous donors," South Asian Youth Action, Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, "an institute for the traditional study of Advaita Vedanta, Sanskrit, Yoga, Ayurveda, astrology, and other classical Indian disciplines," Staten Island Hindu Temple, and AIM (All India Movement) for Seva.

[NRao]

What is positive about somebody donating money to a foreign institute?

We citizens of Bharat subsidise IIT , so if we criticized him for getting education through our subsidy and not contributing anything back home.

Are Ranjan Tandon's achievements solely due to IIT? Did he make his fortune in chemical engg.? Was his high school education also subsidized? Was his education at Harvard also subsidized by your taxes?

Also, can you please point at where it says that he has "not contributed anything back home"?

............

I think their donations to NYU is more to do with the wife, who was/is equally successful AND a trustee/board member at NYU.

More than that the deal is that NYU has to raise 50% = $50 million to be used as financial aid or scholarship for students. The $100 million should attract top notch scholars, who in turn will attract research funds worth billions over time. Such donations have a huge multiplier effect - which is the key.




Besides, the saying Harvard is a $80 billion hedge fund with a small school attached to it.

The $100 million donation will mean a lot, lot more.

[Amber G.]

I chose arts for my line. Don't I have right to criticize?
.

If you chose arts, it is even more reason that you should donate instead of acting like a loser whining over others success. Yes you have a right to criticize but also (In my opinion of course) a duty not to be completely clueless.

I assume you don't know the major money came from the one who chose "arts" ( Grammy-nominated artist) Chandrika Tandon (Her husband was IIT'ian but it was she happened to make a lot of money) and NYC was her school of choice. She also donated generously to other causes. She happens to be a trusty of India-American Foundation, for example.

IIT'ian(s) has donated to IIT's.. they do not want to be in limelight for this as they consider it as gurudakshina.

Honestly they appriciate and know that it was ordinary Indian taxpayers who funded their excellent education. They really do not need losers who just like to "criticize".

[Manish_Sharma]

If you chose arts, it is even more reason that you should donate instead of acting like a loser whining over others success.

Loser?

Thin mask of tolerance is coming down.

Problem is amber that being a lackey of Westerners for decades you are so blinded that you don't see the wrongness of posting on Bharat-Rakshak a news about a new York institute getting 100 million dollars in charity proudly.

Just remove the glass of being western devotee for a moment that if you were to go on American nationalist forum and proudly say that Gurukul Kangdi got 100 million gift.

The trouble is your ideology has made you so fanatic that until anyone fits in your limited frame and definition they are not successful.

It's same like 300 years back end Europeans believed that Africans don't have soul. You have to be born white European to have soul.

They will take your labour, they will accept your money too and deign to talk to you patronisingly, but never accept you as one of them. You will never be accepted on their forums. It's that hole you have to fill by coming to Bharatiya Forums. Nothing wrong just your or narayanmurty types sanctimonious talk will be called out.

[Amber G.]

It seems to me that few here are completely clueless about the impact (in positive way) successful Indians and Americans are making for better relation between US and India so allow me to post a few items. (For more details please check out reputable sources - no need to debate as there is no agenda for posting this)

- About 15 years or so ago, Desh Deshpande wanted to donate 100 Crore (1 Billion)Rs to IITM (his alma-mater). He already has donated generously before but this was a large amount so the news did hit main-stream media. His wish was the money to be used as institute wanted, and not as the red-tape-type-babus of GOI. Well at that time red-tape etc did not allow that. So that money (about $20,000,000) went to MIT ( "Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation"). He has donated really generously to IIT later too with similar donations .. but I still see many people "criticizing" him.

***
Around the same time, some IITK guys were talking about lack of support from alumni for IIT vs American Institutes. For example about 35% of MIT graduates in some form donate back to their school as annual gift while for IIT this figure was very low. So we thought if something could be done -- something akin to annual fund drive. We set up a modest goal of $1,000,000 dollar and started calling sending email (this was before facebook/social media) to friends. We were hoping to reach say 1000 people with $1000 each or so.

Result surprised us. $1,000,000 was reached by the first 5 donations. (Total fund raised each year now is many times more)

That was many years ago. Now many IIT's (and other Indian Institutes) have similar
drive....Sure people can do more as sacrifices our parents, and ordinary tax payers made was a lot.

Meanwhile GoI and Institutes have to do their part. Spend the money wisely, make it easy to give etc..

(It seems that ABV's time was first when GoI started appreciating such people.. of course NaMo's time the situation is much better A true win-win IMO)

[ShauryaT]

@Phillip: The US is unlikely to dump its Saudi/Sunni alliance in the near future but what they can do is use India to be a conduit to the Shia heartland and cultivate Iran as another route to Afghanistan/CA. Iran was the original strategic partner, until Kohmenei upset the apple cart. The US has to understand (institutionally) that no one has screwed them over like Pakistan has. India has to be willing to step to up its game. It would be in Iran's interest to get Indian investment and build long term civilizational relationships. At the end of the day the extra territorial powers both US and Russia will play only a limited role in the region. The nine bases the US has, maybe some can be transferred to India. What is missing is India's will, she has to take her rightful place as the pre-dominant regional power.

I think we can start with a division sized force and scale it to 3 divisions over time. A brigade along with ANA forces will be enough to secure our supply lines. I also think, our RR force levels of about 100 battalions can be brought down and some of these duties transferred to internal security forces. You are right to point out Pakistani vulnerabilities to any serious misadventure on their part. They are in NO position to escalate as evidenced post 1984 and 1999. They think they have cover due to their nuclear umbrella and maybe they do from a traditional armored thrust but there are other ways and India in Afghanistan would be their most serious threat. Serious enough that they will use everything they have to threaten us and rattle the world with.

Many do not realize, we came close in 2001, one leader's will is all it takes.

[Amber G.]

NRao, Viv S -
Did not see your posts.. Thanks. Yes Chandrika Tandon's choice was NYU..She, of course, has a much famous sister seen here <seen with other "western lackey" I guess>.. and one of major causes they donate is "Indian Causes & Global Development". .. Shame that even mention of a news items bring so much vitriol..

I wonder if they even read the news post which started all these comments....

committed to spend $200 million by 2019 to set up a 40 hectare campus near Vadodara in Gujarat with Nova willing to expand their operations to India

along with Indian Doctors benefitting from the grant --

[Manish_Sharma]

If posts that convey that it's ok to celebrate a western institute receiving huge sum by Bharatiya nationalist forum, then it deepens the Macaulay's gulami conditioning.

Before finding brf I used to go all over searching articles on LCA Tejas. And strangely most of the time on western forums I found that Westerners used to curse Bharatiya poster for mentioning Tejas in fighter discussions. They wouldn't even allow Tejas' alongside grippen saab. Making comments like "..... this is discussion on international jets...You brown beggars need mother teresa to save your hungry overpopulated country..... and you want to slimely insert your pathetic jet in this discussion about international class jets?"

Now I don't understand how american ny institute getting money is celebratable on Bharat-Rakshak?

Is Macaulay's conditioning so deep?

I can see the angst Yugpurush Rajiv Malhotra ji has with likes of narayanmurty and ilk.

[Schmidt]

Shooting in Vegas - 2 dead

[Schmidt]

This is getting serious

Now fatalities count has jumped to 20+

Shades of Mumbai 26/11 redux

[shyamal]

Any local news links for details of the las vegas incident?

[IndraD]

Las Vegas shooting
over 50 dead
over 200 injured
many 100s of rounds fired from an automatic gun
main suspect is 64 year old Steven Paddock neutralised
Accomplice (?) a phillipino lady at large
police says attack possibly not terror related

[ricky_v]

Is there a limit on the number of body bags to separate mentally challenged loner from desert cult follower?

[IndraD]

every one on CNN et al is blaming open gun policy for this, any input? One knows that you can buy guns in US but long range machine guns..they are not fighting at borders! Apparently gun lobby is very strong and they can buy politician of their choice.