Pak coup will give impetus to proxy war8212; PM

Noting that the coup in Pakistan had increased the possibility of proxy war in J and K, he asked troops to maintain constant vigil.

He said the country8217;s defence needs would be met and no shortage of funds would be allowed to come in the way of defence preparedness.

Defence Minister George Fernandes, who also addressed the conference, underscored the need for raising the budgetary allocation for defence proportionate to rise in the gross domestic product.

There should be no overlooking of the needs of defence and the necessary resources should be made available, Fernandes said.

The annual conference was also attended by Home Minister L K Advani, Army chief Gen V P Malik, Navy chief Admiral Sushil Kumar and chief of the Air Staff A Y Tipnis, Cabinet secretary Prabhat Kumar and principal secretary to Prime Minister Brajesh Mishra besides top commanders.

Referring to India8217;s relations with its neighbours, Vajpayee, who addressed the commanders jointly for the first time since the Kargil conflict, said there had been improvement in relations with China despite certain outstanding differences.

He expressed concern over the situation in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan where terrorism and extremism had affected India8217;s security environment.

Outlining New Delhi8217;s stand, he said 8220;outside interference in Afghanistan must stop8221;.

Reaffirming India8217;s commitment to peace and development and a more just international economic order, Vajpayee said there should be global nuclear disarmament while pointing out that as a sovereign nation India would make its own assessments about its security concerns.

The Prime Minister called for a detailed study of the country8217;s security needs on the basis of which India8217;s defence policy should be formulated.

8220;A new approach in this regard has been made with the formation of the National Security Council,quot; he said.

He stressed the need for high-technology equipment and force multipliers and said necessary funds would be allocated and a high state of operational preparedness should always be maintained.

Emphasising that indigenous defence production was vital to ensuring self-reliance, Vajpayee commended the role of the defence undertakings during the Kargil operations.

In his address, Fernandes said that there should be ulitisation of funds in a cost-effective manner for which joint planning by the services, the ministry and the Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO was essential.

The Defence Minister outlined the various measures taken by DRDO to implement its plan for increased self-reliance in defence.

8220;A large number of products including missile systems and electronic warfare systems have already been developed,quot; he said, adding that the perspective plans covering up to the 10th five year plan period by the ordnance factories and the defence public sector undertakings were under preparation in consultation with the services.

Referring to the Kargil conflict, Fernandes said the Pakistani misadventure was not an aberration but part of the chain of events starting from 1947-48.

Commending the three services for jointly foiling the nefarious designs of Pakistan, he said the Air force through its strikes helped in the hurried withdrawal of the enemy troops. The preventive actions by the Navy contributed to Pakistan not daring to escalate the conflict, he said.