Gifting mementoes to foreign dignitaries is a passé for the Indian Army, instead its book diplomacy that the force believes in now.
Gifting mementoes to foreign dignitaries is a passé for the Indian Army, instead its book diplomacy that the force believes in now.
A coffee table book titled 'The Indian Army' showcasing its legacy, making a strong statement on a sensitive subject like Kashmir and democracy is being presented to military counterparts at various international meets.
The book traces the role of the Indian Army since Independence in 1947 and the impact it has made domestically and internationally.
The book has already been given to officials from Russia, Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan and Vietnam.
Copies of the book have been given to all defence attachés asking them to present it the book on any official events attended by them in their countries.
The practice is being followed after Army Chief Bipin Rawat gave instructions that the coffee table book be presented whenever senior officers travel abroad or visiting foreign dignitaries.
“It was felt that giving mementoes is an old practice and has little value. A book on Indian Army’s contributions and its role, the military’s relations with the civil government would be appropriate to send a strong message at international platforms,” said an army source.
“The book also touches upon that the Indian Army’s compassion towards it own citizens,” the source added.
Just last week Gen Rawat presented the book to the visiting Chief of General Staff, Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic, General Raimberdi Duishenbiyev.
The book was released in October this year by the Army Chief. It has glimpses of all the wars and army action that the force has fought.
The practice of handing over the book will continue as it is felt it could be an important tool towards fostering military diplomacy with friendly nations.
The book opens with a page showing the documents related to accession of Kashmir. It states Jammu and Kashmir remains a conflict zone today due to state sponsored terrorism and that India has legitimate sovereign rights over the state.
India has always maintained and given evidence of Pakistan pushing terrorists in Kashmir. Pakistani terror outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed have been active in the state and carried out mass local recruitment and training youth in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
The first chapter highlights that the Indian Army is pledged to constitutional authority, is committed to international defence cooperation, contributes to United Nations and has an unlimited responsibility among other roles it plays.
There are over 2000 copies of the book that have been initially published, out of which more than 300 have been distributed not just to foreign dignitaries but also within the force.
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