Crimea and then bust region. And since then things have only been brewing up. And that has been coupled with economic sanctions, which is actually being very, very rude and really, really discriminatory to worse russia. So its coupled up these factors and of that deliberate attempt by america and western countries to expand matter, which is actually a poor structure to take recourse to the section. You mentioned russia signaling a disagreement with western strategy and even taking some forceful action. For example, in 2008, but i think that without any doubt, the february decision was the most dramatic of all, not only for the will, but also for the russians. Most of us are shocked that russia is now using military force against our neighbor. And we still consider ukrainians to be our brothers. I mean, in little terms, because most of us have families there. If you were advising the russian general staff and i am asking you not as a political analyst, but as a, as a military man, as a man who has to consider in a strategic room, if occasions do you think russia had any other option at its disposal, to on the one hand, address the danger of encroachment of nato. But on the other hand, without using military force because clearly there are major consequences associated with that, both ethically and humanitarian. Li, if i was dead and somebody was really listening to me, then i would have perhaps otherwise some modest chain. There was a very strong 3 prong ability posting, which russia had already adopted. So we should have rated for some more time because with one lack 90000 groups, 190000 groups. It was very difficult for euclidean or any other force to enter crime. Yall done boss. Second issue as a military analysts say fees that are shut, initial strategy back to me is strategy to go to key and sort of go to clark you in these areas. This was probably not well talk through and out his way. You know, the objectives was that you will be able to bring about a political capri to leash and and disarm euclidean armed forces by about 12th of march. But that did not come through and then there was a deeper into the a east east issue can in again. So that was there were to pull some of those casualties awarded with the logistics of board the compliment entity in the line. The coordination command control, communication issues did not work out of band all the way it should happen in the classic miller to campaign. But you mentioned the classic merger campaign. And over the last couple of years, all weve been hearing from the western from the east is that in the age of old wars, kinetic wars is over. You know, all the wars will now be hybrid information. War is perhaps some use of special forces. Some use of espionage, perhaps for slack operations, but the real army against army clash is know, is already a part of history. Dont you think that this latest development demonstrated that perhaps we have retired war prematurely because it seems to be a reality not only in europe, but also in increasing reality. Now in the pacific when the United States and china seemed to be and the longer had see, i think we had always played this sir. Ita live in soft plastic and pins. India has fought hybrid was in bunger dish. You also were preparing for a hybrid was and what happened in ukraine was a typical hybrid water right from 2040. So it has only validated that i live in an important so hybrid bought it. Even today, the vest is playing a proxy walk in ukraine. So this was, is actually the spectrum up. Conflict is much wider. It starts from the lower in, in the non contact, non kinetic domain. Then it goes up, the escalation, leaded, across the spectrum, up conflict to a full fledged water, which via seeing rid the disk of new kid escalation, supposed natural would have intervenes then russia had, you know, brought it up with a Nuclear Forces on operational readiness. So we can not to sort of doertry date, very short kind of observations and make a pretty definite conclusion. Sort of as heart wrenching as this war is. And it is indeed hearts ranching for most russians. I think it has demonstrated to the world that russia has a credible deterrence that it would use military force if its vital interest. Ah, threatened. What about the quality of western to turns and the credibility of western returns . Do you think the world believes that the americans would resort to the use of military force as they, as they claim . See detritus is a mind game. So what we have seen earlier, what happened in georgia, americans didnt not intervene. Similarly, video do simply the, the video from of garnished on and even presence in iraq has turned on. And theyre, the leadership is on record to say that we will not physically intervene in your brain because we run the risk of, you know, escalating into the new. Youre also on record to say that we will physically intervene if there is an issue in taiwan. So look, sit, i wont, situation is very different. And again, you know, if you recall, and mr. Barton made that statement, then the very top had risangua from that statement that what he meant was this, what not this, you know, so this still falling, that strategic ambiguity in taiwan contingency. But here they have taken a more strident position. What they will do everything except actually entering physically into ukraine and for that, escalating the situation to an extent that russia would be forced to up the ante. Now speaking about deterrence, i think it was president Theodore Roosevelt or us defined it as speaking softly and carry a long gig. Yeah. But one century after his death it seems that the americans are actually made the reverse that theyre, theyre not speaking softly. Theyre speaking of noxious me very rudely. But do you think that stick at this point of time is long enough to force that enemies or adversaries to do what they want to do . That bidding i may not entirely agree with your analysis because you see there is a great retrenchment which is taking place in United States. They have redrawn from most of the countries and ive gone east on is a case and quite that was the only to award there in your isha. So theyre gone back and all what theyre doing, you know, theyre trying to sort of for offload most of the a miller t responsibility to the Natural Partners and put them in the front line and out his way. You will see when President Trump was dead. He wanted the Natural Current is to have more shed in the, in the budget of natural and us. So those are the things. So i dont think her americans are in the same position to militarily intervene in various contingencies as the person deposit general. Isnt that perhaps even more dangerous . Because if they were to take on defy it directly with the russians, we could have negotiated directly and perhaps come to some sort of a solution. But when they are using the obama term sliding from the back, that is pushing the ukrainians on the front lines of pushing other peoples on to the front lines in that sort of approx in battle. It also limits our ways of coming to some sort of a mutually agreeable solution. Doesnt that also jeopardize the prospects of peace . Me absolutely correct. And this is what looked greers own. And margie domain warfare is all about that it has blurred the lines between the classic maturity can bins and piece, and this isnt in action, action security insecurity, delama richest, put, retreat persist, and their port at least in the foreseeable future. I do not see a way out in ukraine conflict because both sides have taken harden position and with the finland and says, straighten if theyre going natural they would, would have further off the anti. So i dont see that i think the long haul in this conflict is going to front in new york and russia will have to be prepared for that. Okay, well, maybe then i will have to take a very short break right now. We will be back in just a few moments they tune with with with ah, well, a a ah with ah welcome back to will to florida with because sharma, Major General of the Indian Armed Forces and director of the United Service institution of indent. Major general a few months ago, india and Prime Minister and their ends are more. Do you said that today the world is facing and uncertain situation as nobodys getting what they want them . He made that statement specifically after talking with his american colleague, joe, by then on the phone on a conversation during which joe biden to was trying to push it into joining the rust and sanctions against the russia. That push wasnt very successful. Why didnt the india side with the americans more promptly . I mean, i would say, why should india signed with the liberty . Well, because americans assumed really india is north Americas Team b. We are an independent country with the largest population. So we would make decisions based on our historical and strategic days with other countries and based on our own national interest, artist, structure, security, interest, and in that country of the steward of russia, who has helped india and so Strategic Programs and has been a elaborate partner how can you know, india look the other way around and be extremely opportunistic. So we have taken oppositions purely based on our principles and our, our director, or after normas of warrant partners. Now im interviewing a lot of non western speakers. Theres this and a lot of them are concerned about being caught in this economic and political crossfire between russia and the west and being penalized for even taking a neutral position. Now, india is a large country. Its a very influential country. America wants it to be on its side. Thats why theyre sitting accommodations towards your country. But my question to you is, do you think there is any player in this world today . Perhaps india, who could take it upon itself to mediate between russian that was given that you have very good ties with both sides and you, you and the rest of the world. How have a clear interest in making sure that the world is operational than this conflict . Doesnt turn into yet another global war trip. Precisely. That was the reason for india abstaining at number of these, warding at the un because we wanted to maintain a neutral position and be available that interlocutor between russia and your 9 salable as an interlocking or youre interested in being that additional we would do. But it will not happen over treat firstly they have a lot of, you know, back door to door, you know, behind the curtain kind of diplomacy which will take place, which we are ready to be sort of if for turkey can do retirement to india is definitely and much, much better position to do it. So we will be very happy as long as we are able to facilitate peace and dis conflict. We will be really happy to play that. Now as a horrible, again, as this conflict this, there are also certain upsides. Lets say for our various countries, and i know that there were the last couple of months. Russia has come up from number 10 to number 4th as indias oil supplier and many of the, our oil supplies that used to go to europe. And now going to india, i wonder if your country has any qualms about increasing its reliance on Russias Energy sources as your european colleagues. So painfully trying to extricate themselves from that. No, if we had an equal arms, then despite the western pressures, we wouldnt have been purchasing oil and gas from russia. Why youre not care for this malevolent russian energy. Who because you see a reorder in a g, a deficient country. Really . Well, i thought our economy for the well being of people really quiet chief energy and therefore russia is a reliable partner. So we have been able to utilize this window of opportunity despite the pressure from the wrist. And we will continue to do. Now as you mentioned before, india is pursuing, its our Foreign Policy and negotiating with the americans in doing that and deals with the american. So is russia increasing its corporation with china . And i know that traditionally, india has looked at that with a certain degree of once you have a major voice dispute of, in the chinese, you also have security apprehensions about the growth of china. Have you seen any change in the russian chinese dynamic over the last half a year, and do you think anything substantial has changed their see one has to take of any realistic view of geo politics. You shared common borders with russia . They are your immediate neighbors. Were still at a certain distance and chinese over the deep pockets, and im in force 2014. They were able to invest in your Energy Sector than many other places. So it is russias right to create that complementarity and interdependence. So russia, india does not dictate to other countries how, what kind of relations it should have with its own neighborhoods. So we have no such qualms. There are relations with the russia on its own, mad it and it would continue to be and we are all sure of it that show would not undermine India Strategic interest just because they become economically close to china. And thats actually a very interesting question. How sensitive for, according to your sources is russia to india, security concerns . Does russia make a commendation for in disposition . Lets say more than it would be paying attention to other countries. Of course it has the kind of Weapon System that you have provided to us is very, very exclusive. Youre not provided that kind of Weapon System to any other country. Of course, very recently you upgraded your minority relations with china. And it wasnt when we had a problem with chinese on the line of actual control, russian met all its contractual obligation and was to the extent of, you know, giving us more and more weapons that we needed. Not these are hard times when your desk, the depth of our relationship and russia has gone or didnt to the occasion and met in expectations and would continue speaking about the depth of the relationship as well as military cooperation. As we are recording this interview, the russians and the chinese are conducting di, traditional neva and maybe drills. And one of the things that i heard from Russian Military analyst is that while china has a very impressive navy, both in terms of human capacity, in terms of their sense, they lock in the experience and expertise of the actual warfare. And that this is something that the russians may be sharing with the chinese neighbors. Thats where the case would that be a concern for in then . You see, if you train a chinese navy, feel it, maybe it is not of any concern. You have a relationship with this. Indian navy is very strong and our sphere of influence is into the indian ocean region. And by virtue of our strategic geography, we have a very good domination debt. A we are interested in getting aud open to solve china c, but its purely from the point of view that 60 percent for the boss is through that. And we want freedom of navigation, but you will see that we are not joined freedom of navigation, exercise americans at anybody. So i think our navy is very, very, very, very professional and its very, very grand and it can secure in Just National interest in the indian ocean region. And we will be satisfied with that. You mentioned geography. And i think one of the interesting features of the increasing corporation between russia and china and also, you know, i thing as a sign of trust anyways, that both russia and china can afford to expand last on guarding their own border, which is no small thing because its for more than 4000 kilometers long, and essentially russia can now divert its attention to the west. China can deal with its problems in the pacific, and the 2 are essentially standing back to back. I dont know how long it will historically last, and thats why i wanted to ask you, do you think the current level of trust, when you can turn your back to, you know, a country with which we also had border disputes in the past. Do you think its primarily necessitated by the difficulties with the west or it can sustain itself . Historically . This is a big christian and this all depends on how you manage your by later traditions who china in the past you had problems and sent alicia, right . In future all showed no country would like to see another country with the large military next door. And particularly if that country turns to be reviewed finance and it want to order the geography. These concerns, mostly thats a real prospect though on the part of chinese because they claim that they have no intention. Chinese have done in south china and see the what you call is the 1949 james lane or what they have done elsewhere, even on the indian borders. Well, it does, of you certain indications that well, the cartographic consciousness is very high. Interesting. Its the same, they let the shift in the land map and the shifts in the maritime maps. No, no, since you have resolved your border issues with china, that in french doesnt come truly in maturity terms. It is in the economic sphere of influence. You see, look at cent alicia, where you had such a good blog and such a good influence to the chinese Economic Engagement is more than 50000000000. 00. I think yours would be to the tune of 20. 00 to 30000000000. 00 shaw. The economic influence scanned desert into the political influence and the countries of your neighbors, your neighboring countries will make political choices, which are more in con, grants with chinese strategy interested is the 2nd interest you look at beltran road in issue of a. Its a chinese who are calling the shots and well, it is integrating economies. So this doesnt the new forms of influences than not the military influence which a board pertinent it routes. It isnt really and so competitive. And it seems to be suggesting because i assume that be in the current level of cooperation between russia and china, would also allow china russia for that matter to take that sensitive issues into account. Im of the view that if the vest heard not enforced islamic sanctions against russia and 2014, probably the trajectory of, of russia, china deletions were very different today. Can i also ask you about the trajectory of the chinese engine relationship . Because its hard to imagine the other 2 pair of countries which would benefit more from, you know, they synergies from combining either forces. But, but i have a border dispute as we mentioned, and there is a general climate of suspicion there. What keeps this dynamic of mistrust so entrenched and is it possible to overcome at them time . India trade its level best to have very harmonious relations with china. From 1993 in 2013, we signed a c, these of agreement poppies building peace and tranquility on the border. And on the use of force, when india was going through a complicated Group Situation of russian authority, the chinese they, while it all those agreements and did use military force to change the strike to school at the line of actual control. You know, what do, what does india make or conflict then . That means that, well, they do not want peace and they want probably be on their own domes that they want to china and take asia in which they feel india is a big on predictive and it is a good time to put india in its place. But given the size of india and the confidence that we whored, we will not permit any country under the sun to stretch equally cautious. And actors way. You know, weve taken dick boist goo miller to responses with china has understood, and hopefully with these lessons it would have us shortening effect on chinese or to negotiate with us from a position of bad it. What im hearing from you is that the chinese needs to revision some of the wisdoms of sound, so who actually are good for mutual accommodation rather than 0, some outcomes. Anyway, Major General, we have to live in there. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you. So much thank you and thank you for watching you hope to syria again was the part ah with mm ah ah ah mustang before the more you might you rudo more was which the at the moment today. And i dont suppose there isnt any was this is on the course and dont get on the players. Natural, not just needed someone to do it, but my gist of them thats clearly kind of the natural national. What time i see if my will come and get a slight bit of suggestion, which shall i get into the system. But also what about i still on that because i said that was in the middle. Yes. Specials. The emotional thing is you need to know personal team that were like almost jamalia point, marsh, that was the window. It was mom with the machine. This wasnt very complex for mac mall, but i dont know if shell do this on my list of wont do it. And it should just shift this down to neutral when you get it all and good as well as a safe for me on august and about this and anything complex bonuses me deal and look at them chest and you know, i mostly in the bush school, but i will look up on an appoint also boy we will look at it and just to know, but i mean you are going to put them on the machine and the physician will i put it in the one of the union before the video. Im going to go when im going is by way, much in that way. When you read to me, but im, i will go towards postage over sit in the machine and wish im not a fan. Right . Thats what it was really for interview that i should be able to show me. You come over to see if it was a sheet. Me know if she was also gonna see were gonna stuff. This is one to share for the way lose or so or even that i saw was theresa. I showed a man got older, so i put in the middle guy said she, he had the same it about them. I was was National Bono custodians of that so what weve got to do is identify the threats that we have. Its crazy even foundation, let it be an arms race is on offense. Very dramatic development. Only personally and getting to resist. I dont see how that strategy will be successful, very difficult. Time. Time to sit down and talk lou in louise to come to russian state to never. Ive stayed as im phoning those landscape div asking him im not getting calls. Ill slap a group in 55 when. Okay, so mine is group im speaking with. We will van in the european union, the kremlin. Yup. Machines, the state on russia today, and sports or t sports net, given our video agency, roughly all band on youtube and pinterest and with mm. Ah, in the headlines on our to International Russia ordered a regrouping roberts forces from the on the front lines in ukraine. In order to reinforce its troops, summit intense shelling and dont ask region. Also in the stories are shaped the weak aeronautics International Justice issues, but its who are sitting a price cap on a russian resources is an absolutely stupid idea is political decisions are made and they go against contracts, then we will simply not fulfill them. We will not supply anything if its against our interest. Russian president Vladimir Putin slamming the decision of g 7 countries to put a price cap on russian fuel m