TERRORISM IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE
SAYS FERNANDES
Defence Minister
Shri George Fernandes has said that Terrorism is the biggest challenge
facing the country today. In an exclusive interview to Doordarshan
today Shri Fernandes spoke on a variety of matters related to
defence. When asked about India sending its troops to Iraq, Shri
Fernandes said that the issue is very complex. No decision could
be taken on this matter, as there is virtually no United Nations’
role in Iraq as on today. Shri Fernandes added that the present
situation in Iraq is not conducive to send Indian troops there
for security reasons. Moreover as the Indian Army is actively
involved in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir
and the North-East, their presence is more essential here than
anywhere else, he said. Unless these matters are resolved, India
cannot think of sending its troops to Iraq, Shri Fernandes added.
When asked whether
selective fencing along the LoC has reduced terrorist infiltration,
Shri Fernandes said that intrusion still continues. Referring
to the rehabilitation of the surrendered militants, the Minister
said that a decision has been taken to raise separate units for
them in the Armed Forces. On a query about Fidayeen attacks
Shri Fernandes said that Fidayeens are basically linked
with religious fundamentalism. What can one do when they are taught
that if they die for their religion then they shall go to heaven,
he said.
Answering a question
about the ISI making inroads into several states of India, Shri
Fernandes said that the intelligence agencies of our country are
doing an excellent job of incapacitating the ISI.
Replying to a question
on Phalcon deal, Shri Fernandes said that the Phalcon AWACS involves
three countries the platform will come from Russia, the radar
from Israel and India will be the user. No time frame for acquisition
can be given the Minister said.
On Indo-Israel relations,
the Minister said that our relations with Israel are manifold.
We have cooperation in the field of defence, which involves import
of arms and weapon systems. Israel has also been facing the menacing
of terrorisms and their experience in counter terrorism methods
can be invaluable to us. The Minister added that there is a proposal
of joint exercises with Israel.
Replying to a question
on India, US and Israeli axis against terrorism Shri Fernandes
said that this is only an idea which was floated recently. When
one of the countries in this axis has close links with Pakistan,
which is the foremost country sponsoring terrorism, this axis
does not seem feasible, he said. Moreover each country has to
fight its own battles against terrorism. Unless each and every
citizen of our country wakens to the malice of terrorism and fights
it on his own it is difficult to combat terrorism in any manner.
Referring to Indo-US
relations, Shri Fernandes said that post 9/11, the differences
between the two countries have been largely erased. Joint exercises
were conducted not only in India but also in US and other parts
of the world. We have developed so much understanding that despite
our not sending troops to Iraq there is no ill will between India
and US.
Referring to the
Sino-Indian border dispute Shri Fernandes said that talks are
yet to begin. The decisions taken during the Prime Minister Vajpayee’s
visit to China are to be implemented now. Both sides will soon
have talks on political level, he said. During my visit, in principle
I pursued friendly relations between India and China and I also
found that both the countries share similar problems, he added.
Shri Fernandes said that he was impressed by the progress the
Chinese are making through sheer discipline. The leaders in China
told me that they had a mission and the mission was to make China
the world’s most powerful economy by the year 2020, the minister
said. He added that India should take this up as a challenge and
become world’s most powerful economy two years ahead of China
i.e. 2018. On being asked as to why the defence allocations are
underutilized. Shri Fernandes said that this is not true. The
Minister said that sometimes the allocations remain unutilized
due to time-consuming procedures of Defence acquisition. In this
context he gave the example of AJT and said it took almost two
decades to acquire AJT due to several reasons. Every year money
was allocated for this in Defence budget and it was to be surrendered
at the end of the year because the acquisition was not done due
to one reason or other. Initially when the AJT proposal came up
there were two companies involved in the offer. After the NDA
government took over, it was found that one of the companies had
folded up and then several players jumped into the fray offering
AJT to us. So this is just an example of how defence deals get
delayed and the money slated for such weapon systems remains unutilized.
When asked about the pace of modernization in Defence Ministry
Shri Fernandes said that he was very satisfied.
