n December 25, India celebrated the birth centenary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. As army chief and chairman, chiefs of staff committee, I had the good fortune to work with him closely, particularly during the Kargil War. A statesman par excellence, Vajpayee ji was genteel, soft spoken and a great listener. He was a persuasive leader; never dictatorial in our conversations and discussions.
During the Kargil War, as chairman of the cabinet committee for security, he directed that the Indian armed forces would not cross the Line of Control or the international border. Once he spoke about this restriction on us in public, I advised him immediately not to do so. I reasoned with him that if we were unable to fully succeed in our mission in Kargil, I would need his permission to cross the LoC/border somewhere else. He realised the implications and asked national security adviser Brajesh Mishra to announce on a TV channel that "not crossing the LoC holds good today, we can't say about that for tomorrow".
This story is from the December 30, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Amritsar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 30, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Amritsar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
India debut on the cards for McIlroy in $5mn event
The iconic Delhi Golf Club (DGC) is set to host a $5 million DP World Tour event in October with former world No. 1 and four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy likely in attendance, making the upcoming Rolex Series event the most expensive golf tournament—in terms of prize money—ever hosted by the country.
Tottenham Take 1-0 Lead vs Reds in Semis First-Leg
Newcastle United Beat Arsenal 2-0 Away in the First Leg of the Other Semi-Final on Tuesday
With Ghosal by her side, Anahat taking steady steps
By her own admission, Anahat Singh did not play her best squash at the British Junior Open, a prestigious junior tournament she won for the third time this week as its U-17 champion.
Inflation Likely Eased to 5.3% in Dec: Mint Poll
India's retail inflation likely moderated to a four-month low of 5.3% in December, down from 5.5% in November, driven by the seasonal decline in food prices, according to the median estimate of 25 economists in a Mint poll.
Trudeau's successor expected by early March
Canada could get its successor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by the first week of March so the person has enough time to prepare before Parliament meets in the last week of the month.
NHPC seeks to buy out co-promoter in PTC
MOVE WILL HELP NHPC EXPAND POWER TRADING BUSINESS; CO WON'T ACQUIRE FINANCE UNIT
Extreme weather fuelling LA's wildfires
No water in the fire hydrants, no money in FEMA (Federal Emergency Mgmt Agency). This is what Joe Biden is leaving me. Thanks Joe! DONALD TRUMP, US President-elect
Actors, Celebrities Flee as Hollywood Events Scrapped
No water in the fire hydrants, no money in FEMA [Federal Emergency Mgmt Agency]. This is what Joe Biden is leaving me. Thanks Joe! Donald Trump, US President-elect
Why India Wants To Repair Ties With Kabul
The meeting between foreign secretary Vikram Misri and the Taliban's acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai was significant because it marked the highest level of engagement so far by the Indian side with the regime in Kabul since the group's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
Delivery Claims Versus Identity Politics in Delhi
Ten years after winning office, the AAP faces voter fatigue and a BJP eager to repeat its general election performance
