DEFENCE MINISTER SHRI JAGJIVAN RAM'S
STATEMENT
ON JULY 12, 1971
Following are excerpts from Defence Minister Shri Jagjivan Ram's reply to the debate on Budget Demands of the Ministry of Defence, on July 12, 1971.
I was talking about the tragic developments in Bangla Desh. The resurgence of sentiment for Bangla Desh after the brutal intervention by West Pakistan's military forces has exposed in all its nakedness the colonialist designs of the present regime in West Pakistan. It has further proved that the root of democracy is too deep and too strong to be snapped by a military rule of nearly a quarter of a century. The people of Bangla Desh are manfully resisting the efforts of Pakistani Junta to suppress freedom and democracy. The terror which has been unleashed on Bangla Desh has stirred the conscience of the world. The bravery and heroism of those engaged in this struggle is widely admired and applauded. The House has expressed the support and sympathy for our friends in distress.
A significant percentage of the population of Bangla Desh has been forced out and has sought shelter in India. It is clear that the Pakistan Army is engaged in a ruthless genocide of the people of Bangla Desh and is, in the process, mounting a threat to our economy, our society, and on the basic principles which our Constitution enshrines.
The values we cherish and the commitments we have made for our own social and economic development are in jeopardy. Government are alive to their responsibility to meet this threat.
The House is aware of the intrusions that have been attempted by the Pakistan Army our eastern borders. The House is also aware of the reports which have appeared in the
Press in regard to the preparations which are being made by Pakistan on our western
borders, more particularly across the cease-fire line.
The House is aware of the frantic attempts which are being made by the Pakistani military junta to raise new regiments, to conscript their youth, and to procure military hardware, arms and ammunition stealthily or through the agency of their friends in some countries. All these preparations are being made with a view to extinguish the flame of freedom and democracy on this sub-continent. We hope that those who are helping them in this effort are conscious of their responsibilities are aware of the purposes for which these death-dealing weapons are being procured.
We have had occasion to discuss these threats to our security in this House. I can only say that we keep reviewing these matters from day to day, and I can assure the House that vigilance has been strengthened all along the eastern and western borders and every precaution has been taken to defeat all possible manoeuvres on the part of our adversaries. Our security forces have instructions to deal firmly with infiltrators and other hostile elements which may attempt to intrude into our territory.
Our people on the borders, whether it is in Kashmir, Jammu, Nagaland, Meghalaya or anywhere else, are conscious of the stakes. The brutal methods employed by the Pakistan Army in Bangla Desh have strengthened their determination to resist and defeat Pakistan manoeuvres.
Mukti Fauj
The demand for the early recognition of Bangla Desh by Government has been reiterated by various sides of the House. We are aware of the feeling in the country on the question of recognition of Bangla Desh. Our Prime Minister has explained Government's stand on the matter on more than one occasion in the House and outside. There is nothing to add to what the Prime Minister has said on the subject. One thing, however, is clear. The indomitable courage of the freedom fighters of Mukti Fauj will ultimately succeed in establishing Bangla Desh. The reports trickling from across the border indicate how manfully freedom fighters are harassing the Pakistan Army. One guerilla, one commando, of the Mukti Fauj is worth many marauders of the imperialist army of Pakistan. With the ever increasing activities of the freedom fighters, it is clear that the military junta will not be permitted to continue their exploitation of the people of Bangla Desh and perpetuate their colonial rule there. In their determination to establish a democratic order in Bangla Desh, freedom fighters have all our sympathy and support.
Army
There has been insistent demand for improving our defence preparedness. For obvious reasons, caution has to be exercised in disclosing details of our strength and our preparedness. I can, however, safely say that in every arms and in every role, we are more than a match for our adversary. The House has naturally not been apprised of the enormous exertions our armed forces have made to improve their skill in the use of the equipment given to them. Every effort has been made to enhance the mobility of our land forces, to increase the fire power of the infantry and artillery and of our armoured units. Our anti-tank capability has been enhanced by the introduction of missile units. New methods of weapon training and battle inoculation have been introduced. Altogether, the defensive capability and striking force of the Indian Army cannot but cause serious concern to our adversaries.
Air Force
It is true that Pakistan has acquired Mirage-IIIE aircraft, Our Air Force has fully taken into account the increase in Pakistani air power. The strength and capability of our holdings are superior to Pakistani acquisitions. Our fighter bomber squadrons have been progressively modernised. We have recently carried out a reorganisation of Commands in the Air Force. Operational exercises including Weapon Meets are being continually conducted to ensure a state of operational readiness. Heavy repair and depot maintenance facilities have been modernised and augmented. I have every reason to hope that, as a result, the rate of serviceability of our aircraft will improve. The measures which have been taken do not merely increase the striking power of our Air Force: they also ensure the most effective co-ordination of air operations in support of actions on land and on high seas.
Navy
Some concern has been expressed in regard to the strength of our Navy. It is true that Pakistan has acquired new capabilities in the field of submarine warfare. We also have improved our capabilities. Our Navy has now a submarine arm. Its anti-submarine role has been strengthened by acquisition of modern antisubmarine aircraft. The Navy also holds and operates missile carrying crafts. The dockyard at Bombay is being modernised. A new dockyard is under construction at Vishakhapatnam. The Navy too has streamlined their provisioning procedures and maintenance facilities. I am sure, our Navy is in a state of readiness to give a good account of itself.
Civil Defence
Our anti-aircraft defences have been modernised and strengthened. We now have surface-to-air guided weapon complexes installed in vital areas. Steps are also being taken to activate our civil defence measures. The Central Government is meeting the greater part of the expenditure on these measures. A large number of persons has volunteered for manning civil defence services.
Defence Procurements
The possibilities of procurements from abroad are somewhat limited for us. But I would like to assure the House that we are not neglecting these possibilities. Our main reliance, of course, is on ourselves. Our ordnance factories and defence undertakings are working to capacity to meet the requirements of the Services, Several new types of weapons and equipments have been developed and are being manufactured. The Defence Research and Development Organisation has made a commendable contribution. Our scientists and their associates in the Defence Research and Development Organisations are making commendable efforts to make us self-reliant in our requirements.
While no country is completely self-sufficient, most advanced countries endeavour to develop a technological viability so that they are able to establish mutually beneficial relationships with other countries. These nations thus acquire a certain freedom of action because of their ability to develop equations and engage in a give and take exercise with other nations. This viability, or to put in other words, this scientific, industrial and technological maturity reinforces self-reliance. He are expecting that such viability or maturity will be achieved by our scientists and technologists, particularly those working on our Defence laboratories and establishments, at not too distant a date. I can only assure the House that we will not
allow their work to be hampered for lack of funds.
I would like to remind the House that National security goes beyond deployment of Armed Forces or preparedness to meet threats to our borders; it is interwoven with our national objectives, our National interests, and our National capacity. In the quest of National Security, it will be Government's endeavour to take all these factors into account. I am sure, our people led by this august House will participate in these efforts and lend their full support to them.
Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
In this connection, I have noted carefully the wish of many Hon'ble Members for our Defence Forces to acquire nuclear capabilities. We have discussed this matter in this House on a number of occasions. Our present policy is to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. In our view the possession of nuclear weapons is no substitute for our capability in the use of conventional weapons. I would like to remind the House that our military capabilities must be based on the advances we are able to make in the field of science, technology and industry. The House is aware of the position India occupies in the field of nuclear science. The House is also aware of the plans and programmes for making further advances in this field. The House I am sure, will not wish me to say more on this subject or to lose my sense of perspective in dealing with it.
International Peace-Keeping
Apart from the defence of our borders, our Defence Forces have certain other responsibilities also. The House is aware of the responsibilities discharged by our defence forces in the past in a peace keeping role assigned to them by the United Nations on a number of occasions.
On April 6, 1971, while we were engrossed in our own problems, we received an urgent request from our friendly neighbour, the Government of Ceylon. Similar requests had been made by that Government to other countries. Our response was prompt. We agreed to provide all assistance that was possible within our resources. We made our helicopters available. Our naval ships assisted the Ceylonese Navy in patrolling Ceylon's coasts. Our personnel did not deal with insurgency: they provided relief for the Ceylonese personnel and assisted them in surveillence and patrol duties only. With the completion of their task, the small forces made available to the Government of Ceylon were withdrawn.
We have also supplied some items of equipment and stores needed by the Ceylonese Defence Forces. At the request of the Ceylonese Government, we have agreed to provide training facilities to their officers. Our co-operation in this field, the House will be pleased to know, has been mutually satisfactory.
Source: The Bangladesh Documents, vol – 1, page no – 699-702