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Vajpayee warns of escalation of proxy war

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

The military coup in Pakistan has increased the possibility of an escalation of the proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee told senior commanders of the Indian armed forces in the Capital on Wednesday.

The prime minister's observation came after the Army chief General VP Malik, Navy chief Admiral Sushil Kumar and Air Force chief A Y Tipnis briefed Vajpayee, Defence Minister George Fernandes and senior commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force during a Combined Commanders' Conference about the security environment and preparedness of the armed forces.

The PM called on the defence forces to maintain a constant vigil in the emerging security scenario. He assured the commanders that the country's defence needs would be met and no shortage of funds would be allowed to come in the way of defence preparedness. Vajpayee said an important lesson of Operation Vijay in Kargil was that the conventional capability had not lost its relevance despite nuclear capability. Emphasising the need for hi-tech equipment and force multipliers, he said necessary funds would be allocated and a high state of operational preparedness should always be maintained.

He called for a detailed study of the country's security needs on the basis of which national defence policy should be formulated. A new approach in this regard had been made with the formation of the National Security Council, he said.

On India's relation with its neighbours, he said there has been improvement in India's relations with China though some problems remained. He expressed concern over the situation in Afghanistan which has affected India's security environment. Reiterating India's stand, he said outside interference in Afghanistan must stop.

Reaffirming India's commitment to peace and development and a more just international economic order, Vajpayee underlined the need for global nuclear disarmament. He pointed out that as a sovereign nation India would make its own assessments about its security concerns.

The prime minister emphasised the need for indigenous defence production to ensure self-reliance. He commended the role of the defence undertakings during the Kargil conflict.

The prime minister and the defence minister paid their homage to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice fighting the invaders in Kargil and against insurgents in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.

Fernandes underscored the need for raising the allocation for defence in relation to the Gross Domestic Product. He called for the utilisation of funds in a cost effective manner for which joint planning by the services, the ministry and the Defence Research and Development Organisation is essential.

Talking about the various measures taken by the DRDO to implement its plans for increased self-reliance in defence, Fernandes said a large number of products including missile systems and electronic warfare systems had already been developed.

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