| Publication |
2012.
|
| Summary/Abstract |
Infiltration, skirmishes and wars on the borders, terrorist attacks
in cities, the Naxalite menace, natural calamities, major accidents,
evacuation of expatriates from troubled foreign countries, humanitarian
aid to foreign countries, reconstruction and development in war-torn
friendly countries - the response to all these situations and many more,
demands large-scale movement of men and material. Often, secrecy is
essential; always, time is of the essence. Reliable airlift capability and
prompt action is the lifeblood of such missions. A timely airlift of troops
by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to the Maldives frustrated the designs
of a band of terrorists and averted a coup d'état in November 1988.
Operation Cactus was a shot in the arm for Indian diplomacy. In some
ways, India continues to gain from the stature thus attained. Airlift
capability is a powerful tool for pursuing foreign policy objectives
through employment of resources and capabilities. It has the power to
change attitudes and build perceptions.
|