BANGALORE, Feb 6: Defence Minister A K Antony today asked the Armed Forces to be preapred for a cut in the defence budget for 2013-14 as the country was going through difficult times due to’ fiscal difficulties’ but this, he said, will not affect the operational preparedness of the Indian defence force.
Addressing newsmen after inaugurating the ninth edition of Aero India here, he said it was a painful question and his department certainly wants to get more fuinds.
‘The union government is going through fiscal difficulties and recession in the global economy has also affected the Indian economy as well.
‘We have to tighten our belts for better future. All departments have to do it and not just the defence department.
‘Government is doing everything to overcome the problem. But I can assure you that priority areas like operational preparedness will not suffer.
‘There will not be any slackness when it comes to this,’ he said.
According to reports, the Finance Minister is likely to affect a cut upwards of 15 per cent in the budgetary allocations for the defence forces.
During 2012-13 the defence budget stood at Rs 1,93,000 crore.
He said the government was fully aware of the threats the country faced and there will not be any compromise on the preparedness of the armed forces.
When it comes to modernisation of armed forces, there is no question of any slackness in it be there a cut in the defence budget or not as it is connected with geo-political question.
‘India also faces threat and we are in a volatile situation of some sorts.
‘National security is of primary importance. India’s speedy economic growth depends on peace prevailing in the country’, he said.
On China modernising its road and other infrastructure on the Eastern parts of India, Mr Antony said China was indeed modernising its infrastructure bordering India in a big way but India was not in a position to question it.
‘We cannot complain as they are doing it in their own rea.
‘India is also strengthening its infrastructure bordering China and strengthening it borders and putting more assets there. They are doing it and we will also do. This is not for a confrontation. But we have to prepared for any eventuality and it is the duty of our country,’ he said.
Mr Anthony expressed grave concern over Pakistan handing over one of its ports to China.
‘China is constructing the port on the request of Pakistan. It is a concern for us and I want to be very straight forward in this regard, he added.’
However, the Defence Minsiter welcomed the presence of a Chinese delegation at Aero India 2013.
‘They are most welcome as there should be cooperation between the two countries in the military space as well in the lines of the two countries forging close relationship in economic, social, cultural areas.
‘We have had border management agreements and recently the Defence Secretary had taken a delegation to Beijing.
‘So they are here because of an ‘improved’ situation.
‘They have come here for the first time, I welcome them,’ he said.
(UNI)
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