Gujral hawkish over arms

Gujral hinted at the pressure by the United States on Russia to deny New Delhi technology for the cryogenic engines for rockets to launch indigenously made satellites.

Regretting that outside powers were anxious over the country’s achievements in critical defence areas and that they wanted to contain India, he said “this is where the challenge lies. We have to achieve self-reliance so that we can feel more secure and proud.”

The prime minister said that one had to be patient to allow development of technology indigenously as impatience would lead to imports and added that at the same time, India would not shut itself by stopping to look out for new technology.

Noting that India had learnt two lessons in its 50 years of Independence, he said first, if the country had ever lost it was because of lack of technology and not valour.

The other was that technology became obsolete fast and research and development had to keep pace, the prime minister said.

Gujral presented awards for 1995, 1996 and 1997 to top DRDO scientists for their achievement in designing and development of surface-to-surface Prithvi’ missile system, Insas’ 5.56 mm calibre small arms, the main battle tank Arjun’ and a variety of defence equipment.