CHAPTER 2

DEMANDS FOR GRANTS 1964-65

Lok Sabha, 23 April 1964

I am grateful to the Members of this House for discussing the Defence Ministry’s Demands in a dignified and objective manner and offering constructive criticisms on defence policy and defence preparedness. I find from the notes I have taken of the points that there are two categories of criticism. One is of a broad type, of a general nature, partly political and partly concerning defence problems directly or indirectly. The second deals with specific aspects of defence policy and defence preparedness.

I propose to deal with the first category first. What are these criticisms? I might give out a few of the phrases which possibly will represent the content of the criticisms: there was a feeling that there is a lack of realism; there was a feeling that a certain reorientation of defence strategy is called for. One hon. Member said that the idea of self-sufficiency in defence production is a dangerous illusion—alright if I am quoting  him alright : there was a demand for unification of command and integration of services: there was also an incidental remark, very vaguely argued, that non-alignment has resulted in some sort of isolation as a result of certain interpretations put on it– that was the argument made by Shri Frank Anthony.

Taking the first point of criticism, namely, that there is lack of realism, I would certainly take a review of what is, really speaking, the reality today. What is the reality of the situation as it prevails as far as our northern borders are concerned ? Here I am reminded of the situation last year when we were discussing the Defence demands under similar circumstances. Today when we are discussing these Demands, the situation fundamentally remains the same; possibly it has become a little more complicated. But certainly, it is necessary to take a clear view of the situation if we have to find the solution.

The new factor that has arisen between last year when we discussed the Demands and today when we are discussing these Demands, is the situation that has arisen between China and Pakistan. The growing association between China and Pakistan appears to have certain, dangerous implications and we will have to take a very clear note of this one important factor. After we take note of this, let us see what is happening on the Chinese border. This time last year— I am trying to give a clear idea and trying to explain the basic .thinking that has promoted Government to proceed with defence preparations today in comparison to what were the compelling reasons that induced us to take the decisions that we did last year– this time last year we were wondering what the Chinese might do after the melting of the snows in the Himalayas. A large number of prisoners of war were in their hands and we were thinking what China was going to do that day, the next day, that week, the next week. Those circumstances prevailing at that time compelled us to plan for the immediate future, to take decisions and make plans to meet the problems that the emergency would throw up in the immediate or near future. Today, when the situation has become a little more complex, and at the same time made itself very clear, we were in a position to take a little longer view of the problem. We can think for this year, for the next year and the year after that. I can tell this hon. House in confidence that this year we are working on the basis of a sort of a five year plan for defence preparedness of the country.