Govt hints at doubling defence expenditure

[Khalsa]

Govt hints at doubling defence expenditure


NEW DELHI: Notwithstanding Pakistan's unilateral freeze on its defence spending and a request to others to follow, India on Tuesday hinted at doubling its defence expenditure as its current spend was much below the world average despite a booming economy.

Defence minister A K Antony on Tuesday said the modernization of armed forces was one of the top most priorities of the government. "Our defence budget is just 1.99% of the GDP, which is one of the lowest in the world. The ideal situation would be 3% of GDP, which is the global average," he added.

Antony's comments came just a day after Pakistan premier Yousuf Raza Gilani made a statement that his government had decided to reduce the defence budget and "hoped to see a reciprocal gesture from its neighbour for the sake of peace and prosperity of the region". Pakistan's current spending on defence is nearly 3% of its GDP at around Rs 275 billion.

Antony's remarks are not only a rebuff to Pakistan but seen as an assertion of the fact that India's strategic and defence preparedness are no more Pakistan oriented. The focus has shifted to China.

"Armed forces all over the world are modernizing and becoming technology intensive. We must adopt a joint approach, keeping in view the varied security challenges being faced by our nation," he said stressing on "integration of tri-service approach in thought and in action".

The defence minister said the country's most important challenge in the foreseeable future still remains the growing instability in its neighbourhood. He said India has continuously expressed serious concerns on cross-border terrorism and has reiterated the importance of Pakistan fulfiling its commitment against terrorism. Antony said it is yet to be seen whether the recently formed government in Pakistan is able to address issues of national security, religious fundamentalism and cross-border terrorism effectively.

He warned that forces within J&K and those outside, who do not want successful conduct of elections and peace in the state, will try their best to disrupt the democratic process. "We will have to keep a constant vigil and intensify our efforts to ensure conduct of free and fair elections in an atmosphere of peace," he said.

 

[blain2]

Good, as it should be. Gilani needs to set his own house in order instead of expecting others to cap their spendings. In South Asia, there is no reciprocation and neither should it be expected. Without testing the waters, Gilani should not even have offered those silly remarks about expecting others to reciprocate.

Pakistan should do what is right for her as is the case for India.

 

[Khalsa]

Pakistan is already spending 3% or its GDP and India is spending 1.99%. I dont think Pakistan has "India" kind of money to spend on budget.

See link below

http://www.defence.pk/forums/national-political-issues/11958-pak-announces-cut-defence-budget-wants-india-follow.html

 

[blain2]

I am aware of what Pakistan is spending and know of the contents of the article thus my remarks about PM Gilani above.

 

[Neo]

Good, as it should be. Gilani needs to set his own house in order instead of expecting others to cap their spendings. In South Asia, there is no reciprocation and neither should it be expected. Without testing the waters, Gilani should not even have offered those silly remarks about expecting others to reciprocate.

Pakistan should do what is right for her as is the case for India.

I agree on all accounts, Indian economy is seven times bigger than ours and her defence requirements are changing to counter growing threat from China, she can easily afford to spend atleast 3% of GDP on military expenditure and it should not bother us.
We have maintained minimum deterrence, we'll continue to maintain current status quo.

However we should keep a close eye on the developments of military infrastructure and added capabilities on our borders. India is using China threat card to justify increase defence expenditure, the modernisation should be China specific.

 

[mujahideen]

Defence comes first. But at the same time we should have a defence budget after all options are looked at.

 

[Jliu]

I agree on all accounts, Indian economy is seven times bigger than ours and her defence requirements are changing to counter growing threat from China, she can easily afford to spend atleast 3% of GDP on military expenditure and it should not bother us.
We have maintained minimum deterrence, we'll continue to maintain current status quo.

However we should keep a close eye on the developments of military infrastructure and added capabilities on our borders. India is using China threat card to justify increase defence expenditure, the modernisation should be China specific.

Not reacting and reducing the level of defence expenditure is the best course of action to take as this will be intepreted as a peaceful gesture, allowing funds to be spent on more pressing areas such as health and education that will fortify the country in 'soft' areas as well as transforming the army into a more counter insurgency focused force.

As stated earlier, India's buildup is Sino-centric in nature and northward looking as India gears up to become a fully fledged regional power as per inducted capabilties. Pakistan should have nothing to fear as long as the Kashmir issue is kept under control by the suppression of insurgents within her borders.

 

[Mohammed Azizuddin]

India is just spending 1.9% of its budget for defence expenditures.Thats truely much lower than the global average.Pakistan must understand that now, its not all about Pakistan,India has more important issues.

 

[blain2]

Pakistan could care less if India was thinking about more important issues. But as I have said before, for as long as you guys have a Western Air Command and similarly significant ground forces positioned along your western borders, it remains a concern for Pakistan.

 

[TALWAR]

Indian defence budget is China specific, so Pakistan has nothing to worry about. If they want to compete with us, they are indirectly competing china.

India needs to peg its defence budget at atleast 2.5% of GDP, if not 3%.
This will make the budget to $ 32.5 Billion, which is still way less than china's $ 57 Billion.

 

[Tiki Tam Tam]

It is to cover the pay increase, in addition, as planned by the Pay Commission and which has been rejected by the Armed Forces.

 

[Flintlock]

India is just spending 1.9% of its budget for defence expenditures.Thats truely much lower than the global average.Pakistan must understand that now, its not all about Pakistan,India has more important issues.

LOL...your post has an almost sentimental tone to it.

 

[nitesh]

, the modernisation should be China specific.

Sir, how you will decide that modernization is CHINA SPECIFIC. What I mean is on what sort of equipments, doctrines etc. it will be decided that this modernization is china specific and this is pakistan specific. Overall each country should decide on its own requirements independently. And i fully agree with blain2 comment that Mr. gillani should put his house in order first.

 

[TALWAR]

Pakistan is no match for India in its economic might and looking at the current scenario, the difference is only widening.

And freezing or cutting your defence budget does not reflect the "peace" attitude, it only reflects the economic status of Pakistan.

If pakistan want to show signs of peace, then pak must stop encouraging terrorists to infilterate into India and stop giving cover fire to the terrorists.
If you give us peace, we will return 10 times more. But if pakistan continues to use the policy of "Bleed india with 1000 cuts", then in long term perspective, its capability will be limited only to that.

And moreover, you cannot just afford to support the so called Jihad in Kashmir, because the times have changed. Terrorism was earlier only India specfic problem, but is now global enemy. Any support to terrorism with warrant global wrath and isolation.

The peace deals are just not going to work. We dont negotiate with terrorists, we only kill them or offer them to surrender. A few years back Afganistan was the battelground for fighting terrorists. But with the peace deals taking place, pakistan is increasingly becoming the battelground to fight the terrorists. It would be wise to fight them yourself, than let others fight in your own land.

You guys should be knowing well how US is changing the world opinion against pakistan, and branding it as terrorism.
Do you guys think that India is fool not to accept the Nuclear deal from US. Today we take carrot and tomorrow we get stick, so its better to deny the carrot.


Most importantly, just imagine what will happen if Osama pulls out another 9/11 like attack. The world belives that Osama is in Pakistan, and then you have no option but to let the US led forces to attack terrorists inside pakistan. And US led forces do not care about the collatoral damage, so the civilian casuelties will be very high.

Its best to come clear against terrorism and fight it yourself than making peace deals.

 

[Awesome]

I don't think its going to be doubled.

I've heard its only a 10% increase?