Who will be the next Indian army chief?

If Modi wants to ensure that he has an army chief of his choice, it means that he wants a chief who is...

In the backdrop of the ongoing worrisome Indian elections, another, totally unnecessary controversy has arisen in India; that of the appointment of Indian Army Chief General Bikram Singh’s successor, when General Bikram retires in July this year. The issue is interesting since the BJP is protesting the right of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) to appoint the next army chief because the UPA is expected to lose the election in India.

The BJP conveniently forgets its own appointment of Admiral Arun Prakash as the Indian Naval chief, days before it was to leave office in 2004. Is there more to this controversy than meets the eye?

A former Pakistani soldier commenting on the appointment of the Indian army chief must broach the subject with caution. But the ongoing controversy being reported in the Indian media provides me some justification to try. Since well before Partition, India has strictly adhered to the principle of seniority in the appointment of the army chief, with only one noteworthy exception. While seniority is one consideration, I hold the opinion that it must not be the overriding one for two reasons: firstly, it is very well to contend that all three-star officers are fit to rise to four star, but we know it is not true.

One is reminded of The Peter Principle, i.e., that every man rises to his level of incompetence. It may not be easy for politicians to select the most competent of those in the run in militaries, but they should, at least, be able to eliminate the most incompetent.

Secondly, and far more importantly, strict adherence to seniority makes it possible for any chief to ensure who succeeds his successor. There has been at least one occasion when a Pakistani army chief attempted to do the same; but since seniority is not adhered to here, he did not succeed. The fact that the one who was appointed in Pakistan turned out to be an unmitigated disaster is not germane here.

As a matter of fact, Bikram’s predecessor, General VK Singh, accused his predecessor, General JJ Singh, of doing just that; emplacing the officer who would succeed his successor.



Since the retirement of General VP Malik, the Indian chief during Kargil, appointments of senior military officers have been controversial. After his retirement, there were rumblings of discontent regarding Malik’s selection for promotions too, but since then, this subject seems to come up with considerable regularity.

During VK’s time, the controversy became farcical. VK’s birth certificate gave a date of birth which made him a year older than his claims and, therefore, due for retirement. VK refused to accept the governmental decision and had it reversed by the court.

But VK’s controversy didn’t end with his retirement. He is central to the ongoing one as well. After retirement, VK joined the BJP and is their candidate for Ghaziabad, where he is expected to win.

Strictly according to seniority, Bikram’s successor is General Dalbir Singh Suhag — but after Suhag is General AK Singh. AK’s son is married to VK’s daughter. Is that the missing link?

It does seem the only available explanation. After publicly questioning the UPA’s right to appoint Bikram’s successor, the BJP leadership has written to President Pranab Mukherjee, the ceremonial (but still) Supreme Commander of the Indian military. Meanwhile, a subtle but scurrilous vilification campaign has begun against Suhag.

That does seem to explain this controversy. VK is still up, running, and has plenty of fresh tricks up his sleeve. But where is it headed and what will be the outcome?

I am not aware of the profile of AK. But, if Modi wants to ensure that he has an army chief of his choice, it can only mean one thing, i.e., that he wants a chief who is ‘like-minded’. This cannot but bode ill for Pakistan. Needless to say, the Pakistan military will be following this development with interest. One can but hope that our defence minister and prime minister, perhaps after reading this, will also be concerned.

However, the worst fallout of these developments will be on the Indian Army: the rank and file. What confidence can an army chief inspire in his soldiers and young officers if he is appointed through such a dubious selection process?

What kind of ‘loyalists’ will he select for promotions to senior ranks? Whom will he position to succeed his successor? The quality and quantity of damage an incumbent does may often not be so visible during his tenure, as it is after his departure. The tragedy is that misdeeds of any chief are inherited by his successor(s) and frequently, also attributed to the successor who is actually suffering from them.

We might not have followed seniority but we have had our share of Ziaul Haqs, Musharrafs and their ilk. Even our last chief, having made a wonderful start for his first two and a half years, lost his way after he sought an extended extension; though he must be given credit for his continuous efforts to nurture democracy.

Ashfaq Kayani at least retains that legacy. But if the efforts of Modi/BJP/VK succeed, what will be AK’s legacy; an ill wind for the profession of arms in India? The Indian rank and file have my sympathies, just as the Pakistani rank and file have had them after an ill wind has swept our land.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2014.

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