What Mr. Doval is saying makes sense.  India has to keep its forces ready with the best equipment, second to none, which enable them to fight a two-front war, namely the combined forces of Sino-Pak.  This is possible only with a strong economic development and a double digit annual growth in the economy.  The emphasis needs to be on the R & D which is a backbone of any given country.  Why America is a great nation and a super power today?  It is not only because of its large economy, but due to its ultimate tilt towards allocation of large resources for the R & D sector.  The whole world is envy of America's success in this area.  Lot of nations try their best to steal American technology because it is cheaper for them instead of inventing the wheels.  However, needless to say, when one entity develops a final product predicated on a stolen technology, that entity always remains a follower instead of becoming a leader.  India needs to become a leader in the field of new technology and not a follower.  As Mr. Modi said, India has the talent and manpower to accomplish anything India wants.  It is a matter of setting the priorities right and channeling the available resources in the right direction.  Time has changed and the saying 'might is right' stands true and is recognized by others.  While India is trying on its own to invent new things through its own investment in the R & D sector, it may not be out of line to ponder upon a notion of joining hands with the USA or Russia for a long term defense pact to thwart any military motion from China and Pakistan combined.

Mr. Basit is singing on the old tune of Kashmir issue without making much sense.  He is looking for a fair and just resolution on this issue and he professes that both India and Pakistan ought to solve this enigma on equal footings.  However, this writer has a different opinion.  First of all, Mr. Basit should realize by this time that Kashmir is not an issue to be discussed.  It is part of India and will end up becoming part of India of whatever is illegally occupied by Pakistan also.  Secondly, India and Pakistan are not on equal footings in any shape and form - economically, militarily and culturally etc.  I agree with the stand Mr. Modi's government has taken which is not to deal with Pakistan unless the government in Islamabad is able to eradicate terrorism from its territory and surrendering the goons of D-Company.  Once that is achieved, then only the two nations can work together to create a trajectory of establishing a more peaceful environment.  To create a meaningful dialogue, one needs free hands of both the parties.  India has extended an olive branch  many a times towards this objective, but it is Pakistani leaders whose hands are tied behind their back which make them unable to deliver.  So, Mr. Basit ought to impress upon his own government first to take care of these old lingering issues before expecting any initiative from India.