Articles by VP Malik
Vajpayee@100: Dining out with PM after Kargil War
In August 2000, I mentioned to him that in the earlier days, the PM usually had a meal with the army chief at Army House. He asked, “Kya aap hamen bula rahe hain? Agar aisa hai to hum zaroor aayenge”.
Updated on Dec 30, 2024 07:46 AM IST
General VP Malik (retd)
Spice of Life: Gandhi was apostle of peace, but no pacifist
There are many people in India who believe that in the early years after independence, Gandhian values followed by our political leaders were responsible for the neglect of India’s defence. That, in fact, is far from the truth
Updated on Oct 10, 2024 09:20 AM IST
Gen VP Malik (retd)
Spice of Life: Army chief’s dilemma on Kuala Lumpur tour
At the dinner, there was a large gathering of civil and military officials of both countries. To everyone’s surprise, I came wearing a colourful Malaysian batik bush shirt, the Indian officers were quite shocked
Published on Jun 18, 2024 02:33 PM IST
General VP Malik (retd)
Guest column | A soldier’s memorable tales from Ladakh
Former army chief recounts his daring journey to Ladakh during the 1962 Indo-China war, sharing anecdotes of fear, bravery and camaraderie
Updated on Mar 03, 2024 08:08 AM IST
General VP Malik ( Retd)
What will it take to bring peace to Assam?
As the Centre signs a pact with a faction of ULFA, Assam, with a decades-long history of insurgency, is ready to turn the page. Here's why it's time
Remembering Vajpayee, warrior with will to win
We were at the helipad when Pakistan army started shelling Kargil. I told the Prime Minister that the helipad was in the artillery guns trajectory shadow so nothing would happen here. While some people in his party panicked, Vajpayee watched the shelling and kept chatting calmly.
Updated on Jan 01, 2024 05:50 AM IST
General VP Malik (retd)
Spice of Life: Delivering happiness to soldiers at Walong
By digging trenches, my soldiers had violated a sacred piece of village land. To appease their tribal gods, the village required to make a human sacrifice!
Updated on Dec 11, 2023 08:42 AM IST
General VP Malik (retd)
Spice of Life | Op Cactus: Indian troops to rescue of Maldives, minister’s mother-in-law
At its request, the ATC switches its runway lights ‘on’ and then ‘off’. Are we in luck? When Friendly One closes in and is only 200m above sea level, the runway lights are switched ‘on’ again. Inside the aircraft, the tension and silence is palpable.
Updated on Nov 22, 2023 09:32 AM IST
Gen VP Malik (retd)
Spice of Life: A visit to Israel, an enriching experience
What impressed me most about the Israel Defence Forces was the highly professional, informal but ‘no nonsense’ conduct of its men and women soldiers. There were no protocols – only simple functionality
Updated on Nov 15, 2023 07:42 AM IST
Gen VP Malik (retd)
Lowering the status of the armed forces will affect their morale
The armed forces personnel are always conscious of their social status and it is society and the backing of the government that make them give their best in war and peace
Updated on Oct 25, 2016 03:26 PM IST
Gen. VP Malik
A man of few words, he meant business
The national security adviser asked me for an organisation chart of the Army Headquarters. I sent it with a personal note. The note was returned with the remark "Thanks". The name "Brijesh", as written by me, was corrected to "Brajesh". A month later, he rang up and said, "Boss (PM) wants you to meet him at 10 am on May 9, 1998 at his residence." Gen VP Malik (retd) writes
Updated on Nov 06, 2012 11:06 AM IST
None | Gen VP Malik (retd)
Remember the time?
Two years ago, a ministry of defence (MoD) report had stated that “the possibility of China and Pakistan joining forces in India’s farthest frontiers, illegally occupied by the two neighbours, would have direct military implications for India”. VP Malik writes.
Updated on May 12, 2011 11:39 PM IST
Hindustan Times | VP Malik