Rajya Sabha passes Inter-Services Bill

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh moved the Bill for consideration when the Rajya Sabha reassembled at 2pm after three adjournments in the pre-lunch session.

Initiating the Bill in the Upper House, he said the Bill is necessary to strengthen the Armed Forces in view of the global security scenario, emphasising that only through better jointness and integration can the military move forward towards securing national interests.

“There should be better jointness and at the same time integration should be better so that our forces can move faster to achieve the desired results,” he said.

He said the Bill will ensure better coordination among the three services and bolster the integrated structure and assured the House that it will prove to be a milestone in the path to India’s military reforms. “It (warfare) is not conventional now, it has become technology and network-centric. Considering the new challenges, which we and our forces are facing, there is a need for better coordination. This Bill has been brought for that purpose,” he said.

Responding to a separate query, he said the country’s maritime interests are fully protected and there is no reason for worry. He added that India is fully prepared for any type of warfare and this preparedness will continue going forward.

Speaking about low defence spending and vacancies in the armed forces, he said all efforts have been made to ensure there are no shortcomings in protecting the country. He said India is fully prepared to face any type of warfare and the country’s defence spending can be increased to 5-6 per cent of the GDP if needed.

Responding to a query on the military’s theaterisation move, he said it is a different subject and speaking about it now would be premature.