Page 71 - Leadership in the Indian Army

In April 1948, he was promoted Lieutenant General and appointed GOC-in-C,
Eastern Command at Ranchi. Like many other Indian officers, he had risen from
the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to Lieutenant General in less than three years. He
continued his efforts to convince the political and military leadership of the need
to maintain a strong army. When asked for a rundown of the army by Army HQ,
he replied on 24 October 1950:

…The situation facing the country from the military point of view is today virtually the same if not
worse because, although Pakistan outwardly appears to be fraternising with our country, recent speeches
of its leaders leave no room for doubt that they are preparing for a showdown with our country over the
issue.
… Communist China’s complete success over the KUOMINTANG and the establishment of the
Peoples’ Government, their recent activities, their declared policy towards liberation of TIBET, and the
recent Mission from the latter country clearly indicate the writing on the wall. The Communist menace is
gradually spreading towards the very borders of India.
…To ensure the security of our borders and our State, the defence service ratio between India and
Pakistan should be two to one. If this is reduced, we will be laying our country open to an ever-present
danger of a major war.
Nathu Singh’s remarks, especially with reference to Pakistan and China, show an
insight into international affairs that very few contemporary Indians had. Even
Nehru, who orchestrated India’s foreign policy for almost two decades following
Independence, failed to grasp the nuances that Nathu Singh had perceived. As a
result, the defence forces were neglected, with disastrous consequences in 1962.
Nathu Singh cried himself hoarse trying to convince the political and military
leadership of the need to maintain a strong army. He did not visualise a large force
—that would be a white elephant, he felt—but one that was well trained and
equipped. Unfortunately, the leaders, cloistered in their ivory towers, were more
worried about solving the problems of the world rather than those of their own
country. Nehru was a great intellectual and a patriot. The saga of his sacrifices
during the freedom struggle forms one of the most glorious chapters of the history
of our nation. However, as a statesman, his achievements are more than matched
by his failures. An intimate knowledge of military affairs is important for those
who decide the fate of peoples and nations. Among his contemporaries, such as
Churchill, Stalin, Chiang Kai Shek, Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Tito and Nasser,
Nehru was one of the few who had never worn a uniform.
Soon after Independence, the Prime Minister held a meeting of senior army
officers to elicit their views on retaining British officers as advisers. Nehru felt
that Indian officers lacked the experience to take over responsibility for such a
large army and wanted to retain British officers for a longer period, as Pakistan
had done. While almost everyone agreed with Nehru, Nathu Singh objected:

Officers sitting here have more than 25 years’ service and are capable of holding senior appointments in
the armed forces. As for experience, if I may ask you, Sir, what experience do you have to hold the post
of Prime Minister?