Brig MP Singh’s book released in C’garh

By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Chandigarh, 13 Feb: A book entitled “Political Leadership and the Indian Armed Forces in Diplomacy and War”, authored by Brig (Dr) MP Singh (Retd) was released by former COAS General VP Malik on 11 February at the Defence Services Officers Institute, here.
Speaking on the occasion, General Malik complimented the author for the depth of research spanning a period of over 250 years, encompassing the evolution of the modern Indian Army from colonial days to Independent India. He commented on the important lessons in civil-military relations thrown up by this book. Additionally, he emphasised the need for better civil-military synergy and politico-military defence planning in order to handle future challenges and conflicts.
Also present on the occasion was Lt Gen TS Shergill, former Commandant of the Indian Military Academy and presently Adviser to the Chief Minister of Punjab. Gen Shergill commended the wide scope of the book and spoke about the National Security Council as it has evolved.
Earlier, author Brig MP Singh, former Colonel Commandant of the Army Educational Corps & DDG Military Training, gave an overview of the book which covered the unique apolitical culture of the Indian Army and the tradition of political control over the army by the government of the day in India, whereas the same has not been the case with Pakistan, whose army too has the same roots but has repeatedly overthrown democratically elected governments.
The function was attended by a large number of senior veterans from Chandigarh and Patiala. Lending crucial support to this book was the Mukat Educational Trust, which was represented by trustees S Rupinder Singh and Mandeep Ahluwalia Pahwa. The book has been published by Greenfields Publishers of Dehradun, represented on the occasion by Sudhir K Arora, who thanked the panellists for their insightful comments, and the distinguished guests present.