The Hindu : National : Troop pullout only if infiltration abates: Raju

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Saturday, Oct 20, 2007
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Troop pullout only if infiltration abates: Raju

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: Union Minister of State for Defence M. Pallam Raju said that any decision on reduction of troops in Jammu & Kashmir would be directly linked to the infiltration from across the border and not just because of some popular demands.

Briefing the media on the sidelines of the ongoing Fourth Military World Games here on Friday, Mr. Raju said the infiltration levels had been fluctuating over a period of time. “It was less last year and more this time around. So we cannot act in haste. We will definitely give due respect to the demands of the local parties in J & K for reduction of troops. But, a final decision will be taken only after considering all related issues. Two panels have been formed to look into the issue and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will address it adequately,” he said.

“We believe that Pakistan is a bigger threat than Bangladesh. They have to come out with concrete measures to reduce the level of infiltration. The fact that two Majors [one of them from Andhra Pradesh] were killed is proof of the continuing infiltration. Given the option, we are always keen to reduce the forces considering that three lakh defence personnel are on duty in the North-East and in Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.

Commenting on the long-term plan for modernisation of defence forces, Mr. Raju said that considering the nature of warfare in future, the government wanted to reduce revenue expenditure and increase capital expenditure. “The off-set policy of 2006 lays down that in any purchases above Rs.300 crore India should have about 30 per cent of the indigenous production of the requirements. It is the government’s desire to see that of the total procurement of Rs.43,000 crore, India should have 50 per cent indigenous production,” he said.

The Minister said India must be prepared for any contingency as 50 per cent of the world’s trade and 30 per cent of oil exports transits through the Indian Ocean. “We should take every possible measure to ensure that no other power tries to emerge in the region.” he remarked.

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