Indian general to speak at IU

The former head of one of the world's largest armies is visiting campus today.\nRetired General V. P. Malik, who served as chief of staff for India's army from 1997 to 2000, was invited by several campus departments to speak about "India's National Security Challenges."\nProfessor Sumit Ganguly, director of the India Studies program and a friend of Malik's, invited the retired general to speak at IU.\nDuring Malik's tenure, Malik lead the Indian army through the Kargil war in 1999 when military conflicts escalated along the "Line of Control" -- a disputed border between India and Pakistan in the Kashmir region.\nGanguly said when Pakistani troops crossed the Line of Control, they successfully occupied critical mountain positions. Malik directed India's counterattack-- Operation Vijay -- which forced Pakistan's troops back across the disputed border. Several hundred soldiers from both sides died.\nGanguly said even though there was no formal declaration he believes the 1999 border clash should be categorized as a war.\nThe India Studies Program and the Political Science department are two of many departments sponsoring Malik's visit.\nTim Callahan, assistant director of the India Studies Program, said Malik has been on the front lines of India's problems, including serving in India's conflicts with Pakistan and China.\nCallahan said Malik will likely speak about Indo-Pakistani tensions over Kashmir and nuclear weapons.\nJeffrey Isaac, chairman of the Political Science department, said he welcomes Malik's visit. \n"The Political Science department is always interested in collaborating with other units on campus to support important events," Isaac said. "The department is especially happy to support the visit of General Malik, who will speak on a topic of pressing importance."\nMalik will speak at 6 p.m. tonight in Wylie Hall 005. The lecture is free and open to the public.\n-- Contact staff writer Paul Musgrave at rpmusgra@indiana.edu.