Meghdoot: The Beginning of the Coldest War IN

by Amit K Paul

India's decision to pre-empt Pakistani occupation of Siachen was taken after deliberations at various levels. What would have these discussions looked like? Why was this course of action chosen? What is the basis for India’s and Pakistan’s claims on Siachen? Which agreement is applicable to this region and what is the correct factual matrix for interpreting it? This riveting story answers these questions while giving a conspectus of the initial phase of Operation Meghdoot. Based on true events and inspired by facts, this is the story of the race to Siachen from the discovery of the cartographic aggression in 1978 to the battle on Bilafond La in June 1984. Unique, immersive, script like narrative. Must read for all policy makers, civil and military personnel interested in Siachen.
General V.P. Malik, Chief of Army Staff (Retd.) India Meticulously researched, racy, compelling. An important addition to the writings on Siachen.
AVM Arjun Subramaniam (Retd) ,Military Historian A brilliant, brief and crisp tour de force. The Siachen conflict unfolds like an action film.
Shekhar Gupta, Founder, The Print Deeply engrossing. Exploring uncharted territory the dramatic storytelling brings alive the Siachen saga with a fresh perspective.
Pankaj Vohra, The Sunday Guardian

214 pages, Paperback

Published February 19, 2022

Reviews

[Ashish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great description about what happened in Siachen and Saltoro Ridge world’s highest battle field on earth. Before reading the book, I thought that the book would be a complete description regarding the battle that unfolded in the Saltoro Ridge near the Siachin Glacier. However, the book is also a description of what was ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan signed in 1948 and the Shimla agreement after 1972 war, and how Pakistan violated that ceasefire agreement.

[Rupin Chaudhry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read that tells the genesis of the entire conflict through a movie like veneer.
At times the narrative is more like lawyer’s rhetoric and proves boring for those who desire to know operation Meghdoot from military angle. Nevertheless the book does full justice to the subject at hand and due credit should be given to the author for a meticulous research.

[Vineeth Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fine read. The book stands out for its brevity and clarity of thought. You can easily finish the book in a matter of 4-5 hours. Covers legal aspects of the conflict really well, by virtue of the author himself being a lawyer. A must read for all students of Indo-Pak relations.