‘No unprovoked attack shall go unanswered’
In a tough message, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured the nation dutiful alertness in ensuring that “no unprovoked attack shall go without us responding.”
Replying to questions on the Kashmir Ramazan ceasefire, its possible extension and plans, if any to rescind it, at a media interaction in New Delhi on Tuesday, Ms Sitharaman said, “It is the duty of the Defence Ministry, the Army and the forces to keep India safe and that has been very clearly explained to us even as the announcement on ceasefire was made. It is the Government of India’s decision. We all abide by it. Well, yes, the Army was taken on board. The decision was announced by the Home Ministry. While we stand by the view expressed by the Home Minister, even as it was announced, it was clear that when it was unprovoked attack, the Army was given the right to respond. While we respect the ceasefire, that opening was already available. It has been announced for the Ramazan. If there is anything, I will get back.”
To another question on whether Ramazan ceasefire has been a failure, the Defence Minister replied, “The MoD’s (Ministry of Defence) role is not to do the assessment whether the ceasefire has been successful or not. It is our business to guard our borders. We honour the ceasefire but we have also been given the room to respond if there is an unprovoked attack. We shall keep our borders safe.”
She forcefully clarified, “The Home Minister’s announcement of ceasefire even as we want to honour it, does not exclude the possibility of Army hitting back whenever there is an unprovoked attack. The ceasefire will have to be contextualised. I don’t want you to turn around and say that we did a U -turn. We are clear that we respect the borders. We are very clearly given the room to hit back if there is unprovoked attack. So, no U-turn there.’’
On possible resumption of talks with Pakistan, the Defence Minister reiterated the position taken by the External Affairs Minister that terror and talks cannot go together.
To a question on whether the status quo on Doklam plateau has changed, Ms Sitharaman said, “The MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) and the External Affairs Minister have explained the position both in Parliament and outside. The MoD cannot and will not give any inputs other than that. That is the Government of India’s position.”
As regards relationship with China, you saw the Prime Minister going to Wuhan and meet the President. You also saw the SCO engagement both of the External Affairs Minister and myself. So, things are going on track.” She refused to be drawn into answering a question on whether the relationship with Maldives has taken a dip. “There is nothing for me to answer there.” Replying to another question, the Defence
Minister said, “I would like to make it clear that in all our engagements with US, we have very clearly explained how India and Russia defence co operation is something which has been going on for a very long time. It is a time- tested relationship and India has got quite a lot of defence assets from Russia. We have also mentioned therefore that Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) cannot be impacting on us on this particular characteristic of the IndiaRussia defence cooperation. We have reached a final deal on the s400 negotiations.” Asked whether the three services are facing shortage of funds for modernisation, the Minister said, “This is something which I would really like to take up seriously.” She went on to read out figures on capital outlay on defence services & expenditure dating back to 2013-2014. “In 2013-2014, Rs 86,740.71 which is the BE outlay for capital which when ultimately used as expenditure in that financial year is Rs 79,125.05. Then comes the new government. In 2014-2015, the capital outlay on defence services which is exactly comparable BE that I am referring to, 94, 587.95 was the capital outlay and the expenditure in that year was Rs 81,886.98. All this is capital outlay and expenditure corresponding. Move to 20152016, Rs 94,588.00 is the BE and the expenditure was Rs 79,958.31. In 2016-17, BE was Rs 86,340.00 and expenditure was Rs Rs 86,370.92. Move over to 2017-18 which is the last whole year, the BE was Rs 86,488.01 and expenditure was Rs 90,460.26. Now, I will give you what I call the last four years ranking. Look at the expenditure. Highest expenditure which means what was spent, I can go back ten years, is 2017-18, second highest expenditure, again look back at 2004-2005, was 2016-17, again look back up to 2004’05, the third highest was Rs 79,958 which is 2015-’16 and the fourth highest which you compare to 2004-05 is Rs 81,886.98.”
The Defence Minister said, “We have given the Vice Chiefs and Forces headquarters powers to spend and also given the money for it. She drew attention to resource allocations on revenue heads going back to 2014-2015. I would recommend that you use these figures. Draw your inferences and then we will have a debate.”
Ms Sitharaman strongly defended allegations of scam on the Rafale deal, lack of war preparedness and change of four Defence Ministers, “Yes, there is no scandal. People who are accusing us should say where the ammunition shortage came from. People did change but full attention was given to the Defence Ministry.”
Asked what it is like to be the first lady Defence Minister of the 21st century, Mrs Sitharaman said, “Well, I don’t feel any any different. I was Minister of Commerce. Now, I am Minister here. Nobody has treated me differently. Everybody has been very helpful and cooperative. I am learning a lot.”
"The ceasefire will have to be contextualised. The Home Minister's announcement of ceasefire even as we want to honour it, does not exclude the possibility of the Army hitting back whenever there is an unprovoked attack"