by G Hari Kumar

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi braces for a second term with a historic mandate, herculean defence & security challenges await him. The new government will consider a clutch of proposals to complete unfinished goals of fine-tuning defence acquisition procedures and kick starting the Strategic Partnership model.

With reports of Arun Jaitely's ill-health and being a high pressure job, present defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman may be given the Finance Minister portfolio as she had excelled as a junior minister in the Commerce ministry. Raisina Hills insiders opine that there will be a toss-up between the Home and Defence Portfolios too. Party President Amit Shah's elevation to the Lok Sabha also adds to the speculation. However, in all probability Nirmala Sitharaman may continue as the Defence Minister.

Nonetheless, let us take a look at who could be the ideal candidate to take up the Defence portfolio just in case Nirmala Sitharaman is moved up as the head of Finance Ministry:

Amit Shah

While Home may be tough for Shah as Rajnath Singh is more senior and a Past Party President so Defence Ministry is being seen as the most probable South Block abode for the Shah of Elections. Rajnath Singh has been a very efficient home minister who has effectually brought the Red terrorists on its knees. He had spruced up internal security and intelligence gather abilities of India's secret service agencies and as a result there has been no major terror attacks with India (with the exception of Kashmir) during his tenure. With these credentials I guess Rajnath Singh may continue as the next Home Minister of our country.

In the same breath insiders say that a) Shah’s term ends in December so he needs to take a break b) 2024 Elections will need him back as Party President so he needs the interim time to be in Government. That seems like a neat Plan writes Navika Kumar of Times Now. Shah, join the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) of the second Modi government, sources said. Apart from the prime minister, the CCS comprises the top four of the government – defence, home, external affairs and finance ministers. Or he could may be elevated to the Defence Ministry. Armed with a sharp mind and outstanding organisational skills Amit Shah appears to be an ideal choice.

Gen VK Singh (Retd)

General Vijay Kumar Singh, a retired four star general in the Indian Army is currently the Minister of State for External Affairs. Singh was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion of the Rajput Regiment (Kali Chindi) on 14 June 1970. He commanded the same unit when it was positioned along the Line of Control with Pakistan.

He graduated from the Defence Services Staff College. He was an honours graduate of the United States Army Infantry School, a graduate of the Rangers Course at Fort Benning and the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Singh is experienced in both counter-insurgency and high-altitude operations. He also saw action as a young Lieutenant in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 while serving as an intelligence officer of 2 Rajput. During his career he has served in various positions as he had Commanded the Victor Force, part of the Rashtriya Rifles, Commanded Ambala-based II Corps, Commanded the Army's Eastern Command among others. Singh is praised for leading Operation Raahat, a rescue mission to evacuate Indian citizens and other foreign nationals from Yemen during 2015 Yemeni Crisis. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2015 said, “I believe this is the first time in the world that a government minister has stood on the battlefield like a soldier to do this work ... I salute General V. K. Singh.”. He is an eloquent speaker and with his keen military mind, vast experience and understanding of military matters should be an automatic choice for the post of the new Defence Minister in the cabinet.

Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (Retd)

Another military man, Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore AVSM is a former Olympian. Rathore is a Member of Parliament (MP) in Lok Sabha from Jaipur Rural seat. As of May 2019, he is the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in the Government of India. He served in Indian Army and retired as Colonel.

Rathore is a graduate of the 77th Course of the National Defence Academy. After graduating from the NDA, Rathore attended the Indian Military Academy where he was awarded with the Sword of Honor for the best all-round Gentleman Cadet. He was also the recipient of the Sikh Regiment Gold Medal, awarded to the best sportsman of the course. Like Gen. VK Singh, Rathore is articulate and suave in his bearings.

Another desirable choice for one of the most important posts in the cabinet.

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