No compromise on security: PM
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Oct 26 — Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has declared that there will be no compromise on the country’s security at any cost.

Addressing the Combined Commander’s conference here today, he said the government would be fully supportive of efforts to make the country strong. He called upon the defence forces to remain ever vigilant so that "we are never taken by surprise".

Referring to the resumption of dialogue with Pakistan, the Prime Minister said India was approaching the talks with Pakistan in a constructive spirit. The first round was held in Islamabad and the next was due in New Delhi in February next.

"While we are approaching these talks in good faith and a constructive spirit, we will not compromise on our security interests", he said. He noted that India had been facing technological control regimes and ruled out subscribing to any arbitrary and discriminatory regime and said we must move forward for India’s rightful place in the global arena.

He praised the scientific community for the Pokhran tests in May which he said were a remarkable feat of scientific and technological excellence having far-reaching strategic significance. He also praised the armed forces, the scientists and technologists for setting a record in indigenisation and self-reliance in the defence sector. "Against the background of denials of technology, it is essential that we redouble our efforts and achieve further progress", he said.

The Prime Minister lauded the role of the armed forces in combating insurgency and keeping the borders safe and secure. Let nobody be in any doubt about our ability to meet the challenge of foreign aided and abetted terrorism, he said.

Addressing the conference, Defence Minister George Fernandes called for a strategic defence review and reforms in the armed forces. The nature of a modern weapon system and its usage is increasingly transcending single service boundaries, he said. The fighting capabilities of the future will involve use of the assets of the three Services under integrated direction and command, he added.

Emphasising the need for systematic changes rather than tinkering with the existing system, Mr Fernandes said institutions like the National Security Council would be more meaningful in the context of a larger change.

The Defence Minister noted that India’s nuclear tests in May had a profound impact on our security and national morale. The exercise of the nuclear weapons option had brought us into the centre of the international security debate, he said. It had highlighted the need for disarmament and a level playing field in matters of security. He described it as a decisive step forward in the ongoing process of multi-polarity in the world. He declared that calls for one-sided concession and even capitulation would be entirely unacceptable.

Mr Fernandes noted that the Pokhran tests were conducted amidst strict controls by the international non-proliferation regime. The restrictions provided opportunities to strengthen our resolve, our self-reliance and research and development. Outlining the progress achieved in the self-reliance programme, Mr Fernandes called for greater impetus to indigenisation.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) should be more involved in the planning for futuristic systems and with the production units. Some degree of introspection was called for to ensure that India developed and produced world class weapon systems and equipment to enhance defence preparedness and make better use of limited budgetary resources.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S.K. Sareen, the Chief of Army Staff, Gen V.P. Malik, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat, made presentations on the security scenario based on threat perceptions.

The conference was attended among others by Home Minister L.K. Advani and senior military and civil officers, including the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Cabinet Secretary, Foreign Secretary, Finance Secretary, Defence Secretary, Secretary Defence Production and Supplies and Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister.