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Why China-specific mountain strike corps has been downsized? Cong asks Modi govt
PublishedMay 16, 2015|Byadmin
SOURCE : TNN
Congress on Thursday asked Modi government to answer why the China-specific “mountain strike corps” of Army has been slashed by half ahead of Prime Minister’s visit to Beijing.
Three weeks ago, defence ministry decided to downsize the 90,000-strong army force that was announced by UPA to act as a counter to the expanding Chinese military capabilities and intrusions. It was to be raised over seven years at a budget of Rs 64,478 crore. Now, the force would have 35,000 soldiers and the cut has been attributed to “severe fund shortage”.
“Congress wants to know if the country’s defence preparedness will be compromised by this decision and whether there is a shifting of goalpost on this key strategic issue?” AICC spokesman Randeep Surjewala asked.
With PM Modi on his first trip to China, Surjewala said Congress stands for good relations with neighbours based on “equality, protection of mutual national interests and innate belief in the principles of co-existence”.
Urging Modi to address the fundamentals during his stay in Beijing, Surjewala reminded that China has committed over $46 billion of investment in Pakistan including Azad Kashmir. “Does it not interfere with India’s sovereign claim over the territory and whether it amounts to balancing out India in geo-political arena?” he said.
The Congress spokesman wondered why BJP chief Amit Shah cancelled his scheduled meeting with Dalai Lama ahead of Modi’s visit.
Surjewala said “stapled visas” continue to rile India, recalling that minister of state Kiren Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, was asked to not attend the banquet hosted by PM Modi for the visiting Chinese President last year. He added that on the day Modi arrived in China, media reports there showed maps with Arunachal and Aksai Chin as Chinese territory. “Will the PM take up the issue strongly with the Chinese leadership?” he asked.
He urged PM Modi to take up with his hosts the Indian concerns about multiple dams being constructed on Brahmaputra river in China, Chinese intrusions in India, trade imbalance and market access for Indian pharma and IT sectors.
Congress said the PM appears determined to finalize $10 billion of Chinese investment for mega industrial parks and the home ministry has reduced the deadline for security clearances from 90 days to 30 days. “Government should tell the people if security clearances are not being compromised with,” Surjewala asked.
PublishedMay 16, 2015|Byadmin
SOURCE : TNN
Congress on Thursday asked Modi government to answer why the China-specific “mountain strike corps” of Army has been slashed by half ahead of Prime Minister’s visit to Beijing.
Three weeks ago, defence ministry decided to downsize the 90,000-strong army force that was announced by UPA to act as a counter to the expanding Chinese military capabilities and intrusions. It was to be raised over seven years at a budget of Rs 64,478 crore. Now, the force would have 35,000 soldiers and the cut has been attributed to “severe fund shortage”.
“Congress wants to know if the country’s defence preparedness will be compromised by this decision and whether there is a shifting of goalpost on this key strategic issue?” AICC spokesman Randeep Surjewala asked.
With PM Modi on his first trip to China, Surjewala said Congress stands for good relations with neighbours based on “equality, protection of mutual national interests and innate belief in the principles of co-existence”.
Urging Modi to address the fundamentals during his stay in Beijing, Surjewala reminded that China has committed over $46 billion of investment in Pakistan including Azad Kashmir. “Does it not interfere with India’s sovereign claim over the territory and whether it amounts to balancing out India in geo-political arena?” he said.
The Congress spokesman wondered why BJP chief Amit Shah cancelled his scheduled meeting with Dalai Lama ahead of Modi’s visit.
Surjewala said “stapled visas” continue to rile India, recalling that minister of state Kiren Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, was asked to not attend the banquet hosted by PM Modi for the visiting Chinese President last year. He added that on the day Modi arrived in China, media reports there showed maps with Arunachal and Aksai Chin as Chinese territory. “Will the PM take up the issue strongly with the Chinese leadership?” he asked.
He urged PM Modi to take up with his hosts the Indian concerns about multiple dams being constructed on Brahmaputra river in China, Chinese intrusions in India, trade imbalance and market access for Indian pharma and IT sectors.
Congress said the PM appears determined to finalize $10 billion of Chinese investment for mega industrial parks and the home ministry has reduced the deadline for security clearances from 90 days to 30 days. “Government should tell the people if security clearances are not being compromised with,” Surjewala asked.
