Articles by Pavan Nair

According to the latest estimates of the independent Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India was the world's largest importer of arms during the five-year-period 2006-10. These imports are only likely to grow manifold in the years ahead. India has this dubious achievement to its credit even as it has some of the most dismal indicators of human development in the world.

The mechanism of the IWT was, thus, Distressed Neighbours ineffective in resolving the issues raised by Pakistan, one of the signatories, to its satisfaction. The government of India, Pavan Nair which is in the process of reviewing its The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was signed by Jawaharlal Nehru and Ayub Khan in 1960 after protracted negotiations which lasted over a decade. It is interesting to note that during the entire period, not a single project was envisaged on any of the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab) finally allocated to Pakistan. It seems that an agreement-inprinciple had been reached by the leaders and the details were left to the appointed functionaries for negotiation and discussion. Here lies the crux of the matter.

SIPRI Yearbook 2009: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security (Oxford University Press); hardback, pp 594, $150.

Siachen has become a symbol of India's military capability and staying power, somewhat like the Pakistani incursion in Kargil, which achieved nothing for that country. The human cost is staggering, yet India and Pakistan continue to bracket Siachen with issues like Sir Creek, Wular and trade and commerce. This shows a lack of concern for the rank and file of both armies by their political and military leaders. Continuing with the occupation of the Siachen glacier heights not only amounts to poor strategy but also poor generalship.

The arrest of a serving army officer in connection with a terrorist attack targeting the Muslim community is a matter of deep concern.