INS Sindhuratna mishap: Questions remain over government's handling of defence forces

NEW DELHI: Was the swift acceptance of Admiral DK Joshi’s resignation prompted by a desire to shield the political authority against the heat of controversy over repeated naval mishaps?

Though Admiral Joshi accepted responsibility for accidents during his tenure, he was dealing with inherited problems related to delayed decisions, lack of foresight and absence of firm political will.

The Navy chief ’s decision to quit could well have provided the government an opportunity to sidestep difficult questions on policy and defence acquisitions that are seen to have led to the current crisis.

Though there was a view that Admiral Joshi should be asked to continue till the results of an inquiry were in, PM Manmohan Singh decided to go with the defence ministry’s opinion that the resignation be accepted.

Poor vibes between Admiral Joshi and defence minister AK Antony worsened after the minister’s sharp reprimand that national resources should not be frittered away in the wake of the sinking of submarine Sindhurakshak in Mumbai last year.

Confronted with another serious submarine accident at a time when elections are a couple of months away, a jittery government possibly hoped the controversy will settle with Admiral Joshi’s resignation.

Letting Admiral Joshi take the flak, however, may not shield the government over what defence expert Commodore Uday Bhaskar describes as basic questions relating to the Navy’s poor submarine rescue capabilities. Bhaskar pointed out that part of the problem in the Mumbai harbour was due to lack of dredging that raised the risks for ships moving in and out. “Missions cannot be stopped but naval commanders are taking a risk every time they negotiate the harbour amid high and low tides. Who is responsible for delays in the dredging work?” he asked.

Bhaskar argued there was a lack of political and financial commitment to plans drawn up by the military . Admiral Joshi may have become a lightning rod for criticism due to recent accidents with his prickly ties with the media and government making him a convenient target for a mess not solely of his making.