Sheela Bhatt And Nikhil Lakshman

Stories by Sheela Bhatt And Nikhil Lakshman

The attack on Parliament and Osama's escape

The attack on Parliament and Osama's escape

Rediff.com   31 Aug 2017

'Jaish aided by LeT attacked Parliament knowing mobilisation of Indian military assets would be the consequence.' 'That mobilisation happened, necessitating a military response from Musharraf who moved troops guarding back doors out of Tora Bora, facilitating Osama's escape.'

'Pakistani army officers don't want to join the ISI'

'Pakistani army officers don't want to join the ISI'

Rediff.com   31 Aug 2017

'The military in Pakistan is capable and self critical, but intelligence is stuffed full of lifers who resist change, which is why career soldiers in Pakistan try with all their might not to be transferred into the ISI.'

'Trump will be tougher on Pakistan'

'Trump will be tougher on Pakistan'

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2017

'If there's one administration that would be likely to put the squeeze on Pakistan, it's the Trump administration.' 'This is an administration that views terrorists as a black and white issue (kill them all, no questions asked), and will have little patience for Pakistan's selective policy toward terrorism.'

'Indira played politics with the ease of a sleepwalker'

'Indira played politics with the ease of a sleepwalker'

Rediff.com   13 Jul 2017

'She was once asked what the secret to political leadership was and she said it was the ability to like all kinds of people.' 'I don't think Rahul fundamentally likes people -- that's probably why he can't deal with them and it shows.' 'Sonia is a more talented political mobiliser than her son, but I think the decline of the Congress set in in 1969...'

'Indira Gandhi was the James Bond of power politics'

'Indira Gandhi was the James Bond of power politics'

Rediff.com   13 Jul 2017

'She was the only prime minister who won a decisive military victory.' 'She won a real war; she didn't play video games on prime time TV over surgical strikes!' 'She understood power better than any other politician, saw it as her birthright and used it with inborn expertise.' 'Every politician today who tries to be a "supremo" through populism and absolute control over his or her party is referring to the Indira Gandhi playbook!'

'This is an excellent start'

'This is an excellent start'

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2017

'Progress demands regular senior-level attention from American leaders.' 'A leaders' summit is great, but we need sustained engagement to continue to forge new agreements and find new areas of cooperation.'

'I'd give the Modi-Trump summit 10/10'

'I'd give the Modi-Trump summit 10/10'

Rediff.com   27 Jun 2017

'We're going to see a defence relationship that really takes off -- now that India is a major defence partner of the US, the sky is the limit for arms sales.' 'The economic partnership will lag behind the security relationship, but the meeting and joint statement give cause to believe that it will progress more robustly than many of us would have expected.'

'The RSS is deeply uncomfortable about Gandhi'

'The RSS is deeply uncomfortable about Gandhi'

Rediff.com   23 Jun 2017

'Actually, the RSS is deeply ambivalent and uncomfortable with Gandhi as well as also Ambedkar, but it is not politically wise to oppose these two.' 'So Nehru is the main and only target.'

Meet the Castros!

Meet the Castros!

Rediff.com   26 Nov 2016

'There is perfect coordination between them,' Vice-President Hamid Ansari said when Rediff.com asked what differences he had noted between Raul Castro and his elder brother. 'Commandante (Fidel Castro) remains the undisputed leader of the revolution.'

'Pakistan's nuclear plans directed at Indian incursion into Pakistan'

'Pakistan's nuclear plans directed at Indian incursion into Pakistan'

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2016

'If Indian armed forces entered Pakistan and succeeded in inflicting major damage on the Pakistani army and occupied territory in the Pakistani heartland, there is reason to think the Pakistani military would use some nuclear weapons against the incoming Indian forces to compel India to stop.'

'India must use special forces against Pakistan'

'India must use special forces against Pakistan'

Rediff.com   23 Sep 2016

'The era of conventional wars is almost over in the Indian context.' 'In such a scenario, special forces could play a decisive strategic role in the spectrum of conflict.'

'Revenge is a dish best served cold'

'Revenge is a dish best served cold'

Rediff.com   22 Sep 2016

'If you invest your entire capital in talks, you cannot abruptly change gear and decide on war.'

'International cricket needs fixing'

'International cricket needs fixing'

Rediff.com   21 Jan 2016

'T20 isn't the killer. The T20 format is good for the game.' 'The majority of international cricketers still value Test cricket.'

The most dangerous terrorist in Pakistan

The most dangerous terrorist in Pakistan

Rediff.com   20 Jan 2016

'Omar Khorsani has called repeatedly for the most barbaric of attacks. He is very adept on social media. He is, in other words, eerily similar to the ISIS leader Baghdadi.' 'The crux of the army's 'strategic asset' policy -- its policy of regarding militants as those that can help Pakistan pursue its regional interests -- is that Pakistan needs help in weakening India or in keeping its presence minimal in the region.' Michael Kugelman reveals what the world can expect next from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the terrorists responsible for the Peshawar school massacre.

The Man Who Lived for the Story

The Man Who Lived for the Story

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2016

Generations of Indian Americans have had Arthur first note their feats and recount it to the world. And that is why so many desis across America have been saddened by his passing.

Why has history forgotten this giant?

Why has history forgotten this giant?

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2016

Anil Shastri, one of the late prime minister's six children, recounts memories of his father.

Pakistan will continue to support terrorists

Pakistan will continue to support terrorists

Rediff.com   4 Jan 2016

'The problem with India and Pakistan can be solved by Pakistan by ceasing its support for Islamist terrorists operating in India, letting go of its baseless demands upon Kashmir, ceasing its support for terrorists attacking India assets in Afghanistan.'

'Modi will continue the engagement with Pakistan'

'Modi will continue the engagement with Pakistan'

Rediff.com   3 Jan 2016

'Diplomatic engagement will continue even as India keeps all its options open with respect to discretely targeting the Pakistani military and its terrorist proxies.'

'Very serious risk of a spectacular terrorist attack by ISI-backed groups'

'Very serious risk of a spectacular terrorist attack by ISI-backed groups'

Rediff.com   3 Jan 2016

'The combination of the LeT and the ISI is the most dangerous terrorist challenge in the world because it carries a real and present danger of provoking nuclear war.'

'It is always possible saboteurs will swing into action'

'It is always possible saboteurs will swing into action'

Rediff.com   28 Dec 2015

'When it comes to India-Pakistan relations, seminal moments of progress invariably bring out saboteurs of peace -- whether we're talking about fresh provocations along the LoC, or even a terror attack in India.'