Forcing Sri Lankan Government To Accept The Accord Was A Mistake : Says Former IPKF Chief

Summary

In this exclusive interview, General Askat, the former commander of the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka, reflects on India's first overseas military deployment post-independence. He discusses the challenges faced during the mission, including political tensions, lack of intelligence, and unfamiliar terrain. General Askat also highlights the flawed Indo-Sri Lanka Accord and the lessons learned, emphasizing that such conflicts require a political resolution, not just military intervention. His insights offer a valuable perspective on the complexities of peacekeeping, national interests, and the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers.

Takeaways

• 😀 The IPKF mission in Sri Lanka (1987–1990) was India's first major overseas military deployment after independence.
• 😀 The mission originated from the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord signed on 29th July 1987, intended to resolve the conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE.
• 😀 Initially, the IPKF was tasked with overseeing the disarmament of the LTTE, but the mission quickly escalated into enforcing the Accord militarily.
• 😀 The capture of Jaffna was a defining moment for the IPKF, carried out successfully under General Kat’s command, with military recognition awarded.
• 😀 Key operational challenges included a lack of accurate maps, limited local intelligence, and language barriers, as most Indian troops could not speak Tamil.
• 😀 Political dynamics both in India and Sri Lanka, including changes in leadership, significantly influenced the mission and its eventual premature withdrawal.
• 😀 General Kat emphasized the importance of protecting troops during withdrawal, implementing a phased retreat to avoid chaotic scenarios like those seen in Vietnam or Afghanistan.
• 😀 The Indo-Sri Lanka Accord had structural flaws, as it was unpopular with both the Sinhala majority and the LTTE, highlighting limitations of externally imposed political solutions.
• 😀 The IPKF experience underscores that military force alone cannot resolve political conflicts; sustainable peace requires political negotiation and local acceptance.
• 😀 General Kat expressed pride in leading the IPKF, honoring the bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers, which should not be forgotten.

Q & A

What was the primary objective of the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) when it was deployed to Sri Lanka?

The primary objective of the IPKF was to implement the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord of July 29, 1987, which included ensuring peace, disarming militant groups like the LTTE, and stabilizing the region.

Why was the initial perception of the IPKF mission described as a 'walk in the park'?

The mission was initially seen as straightforward because it was believed that the LTTE had agreed to surrender their weapons and that India would only need to oversee the implementation of the accord.

What incident demonstrated that the LTTE was not serious about disarming?

The LTTE symbolically handed over a rusted revolver without a firing pin, indicating that they were not genuinely committed to surrendering their weapons.

What triggered a shift in the IPKF’s mission from peacekeeping to active military operations?

The shift occurred when Indian leadership felt pressure to demonstrate military effectiveness, especially during Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s international engagements, leading to orders to capture Jaffna.

What were the major operational challenges faced by the IPKF in Sri Lanka?

The IPKF faced a lack of accurate maps, unfamiliar terrain, language barriers (most soldiers did not understand Tamil), and insufficient intelligence.

How did domestic politics in India influence the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord?

The accord was influenced by pressure from Tamil Nadu, where there was strong public sentiment supporting Sri Lankan Tamils, prompting the Indian government to intervene.

Why does General Kat believe the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord was flawed?

He believes it was flawed because it imposed a political solution that neither the Sri Lankan government nor the LTTE fully accepted, making implementation difficult.

What role did Sri Lankan President Premadasa play in the withdrawal of the IPKF?

President Premadasa opposed the accord and demanded that the IPKF confine itself to barracks and leave the country, contributing significantly to the eventual withdrawal.

How did General Kat respond to the threat from the Sri Lankan leadership to confine the IPKF?

He prepared for potential conflict by issuing operational orders and coordinating with the Indian Air Force to demonstrate strength, including a low-level flyover to deter aggression.

What was General Kat’s strategy for withdrawing IPKF troops from Sri Lanka?

He planned a phased withdrawal to avoid chaotic scenes like those seen in Vietnam and Afghanistan, ensuring an orderly and dignified exit.

What key lesson does General Kat emphasize regarding international military interventions?

He emphasizes that conflicts are fundamentally political in nature and require political solutions; external military forces cannot impose lasting political settlements.

How does General Kat compare the IPKF experience with other global conflicts?

He compares it to U.S. involvement in Vietnam and Afghanistan and Soviet involvement in Afghanistan, highlighting similar challenges in imposing external solutions.

What was Operation Poomalai and its significance?

Operation Poomalai was an Indian airdrop of supplies into Jaffna after Sri Lanka blocked aid shipments, demonstrating India's willingness to project power and support Tamil civilians.

Why does General Kat believe the IPKF could have succeeded if given more time?

He believes that with at least another year, the IPKF could have better controlled or weakened the LTTE and more effectively implemented the accord.

What does General Kat say about the sacrifices of Indian soldiers during the IPKF mission?

He honors their bravery and sacrifice, emphasizing that their contributions should not be forgotten by the nation.