No troop cut proposal: Min : The Tribune India

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slugfest over Rafale deal

No troop cut proposal: Min

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said no proposal had been placed before the government to cut down the number of troops in the Army even as she asserted that India’s relationship with Russia was longstanding and required “constant balancing”.

No troop cut proposal: Min

Nirmala Sitharaman



Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 18

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said no proposal had been placed before the government to cut down the number of troops in the Army even as she asserted that India’s relationship with Russia was longstanding and required “constant balancing”.

The Defence Minister, speaking to women journalists at the Indian Women Press Corps, said details of the promised permanent commission for Short Service Commission women officers were being worked out.

The Prime Minister had announced this option in his Independence Day speech. “We are working to get all three services to see that more areas are available for women to join as permanent officers.”

On the proposed restructuring and reports that the 1.3 million-strong Army could be downsized, Sitharaman said there was no such proposal before her. 

“The matter is still being discussed within the Army and has not reached the Ministry of Defence (MoD). What Army Chief General Bipin Rawat discusses with his senior commanders is based on a report of the committee headed by Lt Gen DB Sheketkar (retd),” she said. The committee has suggested making the Army “lean and mean” with a certain “teeth to tail ratio” (military euphuism for ratio of fighting units and support services).

The Army Chief has ordered four studies to review the structure of the Army. A review is slated in the first week of October and another  later in the month.

On the issue of getting the S-400 air defence missile system from Russia, the minister said negotiations were in the final stage. 

“We have to see when we can sign. Our relationship with Russia is longstanding. It’s a constant issue of balancing and we have balanced (between the US and Russia) it,” she said.

During India-US 2+2 dialogue, the issue of CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) was not raised, the minister said.

Referring to the overarching security information exchange (COMCASA), she said: “We are the only non-NATO country to get the deal. It is a historic step forward in strengthening relations with the US.”

CONGRESS CHARGES

  • Government has jeopardised national security by ordering 36 jets instead of 126 the UPA negotiated for defence preparedness
  • Government’s Rafale deal squandered national interest by forgoing transfer of technology to HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited)
  • If NDA’s base price is lower, why didn’t negotiations involve all 126 jets, why only 36?
  • Where’s justification for emergency purchase when 36 jets won’t arrive before 2022?

GOVT’s COUNTER

  • The UPA was in power for 10 years. It didn’t finalise Rafale deal. It is not enough to talk; you have to prove intent as well
  • HAL, Dassault couldn’t agree on production terms. Why didn’t UPA ensure HAL’s terms were appealing for Dassault? UPA didn’t take care of HAL
  • These aren’t over-the-counter purchases. Every order has to be placed & timeline related conditions honoured
  • The first jet comes in September 2019, aircraft take time to arrive. Mr Antony knows that

‘Hug was avoidable’  

On Punjab minister Navjot Sidhu’s claim over Pakistan move to open Kartarpur Gurdwara corridor, the Defence Minister said: “I speak as Raksha Mantri, hence double responsibility. Navjot Sidhu should have avoided hugging the army chief of Pakistan (Qamar Javed Bajwa). He (Sidhu) is a popular man, his action has demoralised soldiers and people.”

SC defers hearing 

The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred the hearing on a petition seeking a stay on the Rafale deal after the petitioner said he was unwell and would like to file additional documents to support his allegations. The court posted the matter for hearing on October 10. 

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