Second, civil-military relations are at an all-new low, because of the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations. The relationship between civil servants in the defence ministry and the armed forces must also be re-assessed, allowing the army greater participation.

Thirdly, like the US and UK, we must ban communication systems from potentially hostile countries — in particular, China, which is known to plant backdoors and triggers in such hardware and software. Much more needs to be done than what paragraph 12 of the president’s address indicates.

Economy and reforms:

Despite the UPA’s ‘dream team’, reforms were halted during the last government. While the Left was an easy target, the government was not prepared to stake anything, and was also in denial as the global financial crisis began to reach our shores. Now the government must expedite its intended measures, not incrementally but as an avalanche. More than anything, it needs to implement its schemes. The address repackages old promises as though they were novel.

I have two notes of caution to the specific reforms suggested: The disinvestment proposal — that up to 51 per cent shares in governmental enterprises will be sold, while government control over the enterprises will be maintained - is the worst alternative possible. I hope Pranab Mukherjee will steer the government’s finances back to prudence, and that we will get back to the discipline of the FRBM.

Also, I must warn against attempts to justify everything in the name of ‘inclusiveness’. “My government will continue to accord the highest priority to the welfare of minorities,” the address says. Why not to the security of the country? Why not to the families of those who have laid down their lives in defence of the country? Why not to the poor, whatever their religion?

... contd.