New Delhi’s political corridors are buzzing after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi referenced excerpts from retired Army Chief General Manoj Naravane’s unpublished book during a heated parliamentary debate on President Droupadi Murmu’s address. The mention sparked fierce backlash, prompting defense expert PK Sehgal to weigh in with a measured analysis.
In an exclusive conversation, Sehgal clarified that Naravane retired in 2022, and under strict protocols, no sensitive security information can be disclosed for five years post-retirement. ‘If the government is withholding publication on national security grounds, that’s entirely justifiable,’ he asserted.
Turning to Gandhi’s specific claims, Sehgal dissected the Doklam standoff of 2017. ‘Rahul Gandhi cited the book alleging Chinese tanks reached Doklam and came perilously close in Galwan. But during those 73 tense days, India held the upper hand,’ he explained. Chinese rhetoric at the time threatened a defeat worse than 1962, yet India’s government, military, and media maintained composure, emphasizing peaceful intentions while signaling readiness for conflict.
Sehgal dismissed tank sightings as unlikely, noting China’s road-building ambitions targeted the Siliguri Corridor for strategic dominance. Indian troops thwarted that plan, forcing a Chinese retreat. ‘Naravane has previewed book excerpts in speeches, piquing public interest. Nothing in it truly endangers current security,’ Sehgal opined, urging the government to allow publication for transparency.
On Kailash Range operations, he acknowledged possible Chinese tank advances but stressed India’s superior position. ‘We could have responded decisively; China knew it. Their initial demand for Indian withdrawal from Kailash was a misstep that delayed their pullback by years,’ he added.
Critiquing Gandhi’s intervention, Sehgal called it a mix of valid scrutiny and destructive opposition tactics aimed at cornering the government rather than seeking truth. He also speculated that Naravane’s opposition to the Agniveer scheme might have cost him the CDS post, which went to General Rawat instead.
As debates rage, Sehgal’s insights underscore the delicate balance between transparency, security, and politics in India’s defense narrative.