"It is worth remembering that after 26/11, the Indian Air Force presented the option of surgical airstrikes on terror camps in Pakistan to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who, for reasons best known to him, shied away. This was revealed by (retd) Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major in 2017." These are the words of author Hindol Sengupta. For those of you who were too young when Pakistan-bred terrorists attacked Mumbai on November 26, 2008, it was one of the deadliest jihadi attacks India ever saw outside Kashmir. Hotel Taj, Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminal and other locations in India's financial capital were attacked.

Back then, Manmohan Singh was India's Prime Minister. Although more than 250 civilians were killed in the attack, India was not willing to give a befitting reply to Pakistan. The IAF was ready to carry out surgical strikes on jihadi training camps in Pak. For three days, it waited for the PM's nod. The UPA government, as it turned out, didn't show the political will to let the IAF do the needful.

Many commentators and strategic affairs experts are today contrasting the 2008 experience with how the bold leadership of Narendra Modi has made it possible for India to carry out pre-emptive strikes on three terror camps in Pakistan 13 days after the martyrdom of our CRPF jawans.

Before Manmohan, AB Vajpayee offered India visionary leadership. He strengthened India's nuclear power by carrying out the Pokhran-II tests.

This is not to say that Modi and Vajpayee have made no mistakes. They have failed to offer praiseworthy leadership in areas such as defence procurement and modernization. It's a long haul and one hopes this government will make progress in the area of modernization.