India cautiously watching China's military growth: IAF Chief
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, Oct 4, IRNA -- Observing that India is watching 'with caution' China's military modernisation, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik on Monday said anything that impacts on the nation's growth is a matter of concern.
'Anything that upsets the growth of the nation (India) ... is a matter of concern. It is viewed as such and planned for,' the Air Chief said at his annual press conference here.
'All neighbours -- borrowing Chanakya's quotes -- have to be watched with caution on the impact and growth of our nation. So we watch all neighbours, be it the smallest or the largest, with caution,' he said.
He was responding to a query on what he thought of the military infrastructure development of China and also by it in Tibet .
However, he said, India strongly believed in the sovereignty of every neighbour and their right to do what they wanted within their country's boundaries. 'We are neighbours and we must respect the sovereignty of each country.'
He said the IAF's modernisation plans were 'capability-based and not adversary-specific' and that it was dictated by the national aspirations.
'Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that India's area of responsibility extends from Hormus Straits to the Malacca Straits and beyond. Yeh hoga future mein (It will happen in the future). We see what capability is required to meet this aspiration and accordingly modernisation and procurements are planned,' he added.
Naik said the procurement plans of the IAF stood on 'four pillars of see, reach, hit and protect.'
Asked if the IAF too was tweaking its doctrines to match the Army's new doctrine of preparing for a two-front simultaneous war with Pakistan and China, Naik said, 'Air Force prepares for multi-front war. It is not single-front or other front or something.
'It is in terms of allocation of forces that you distinguish. Otherwise, we are preparing for multi-dimensional, multi-faceted, multi-front war.'
Turning on to the AFSPA, he justified the need for the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), whose removal has been demanded by the Jammu and Kashmir government, saying 'legal protection' is a must for the troops to efficiently perform their tasks.
'A soldier fighting anywhere at the request of the government and not voluntarily, must have legal protection; otherwise, he would be left inefficient to complete the job in which either the central or the state government has interest in,' said Air Chief Marshal, pti reported.
The IAF chief was asked to comment on the need for AFSPA for the troops to operate in areas such as Jammu and Kashmir and some parts of the North-east states.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and various human rights organisations have been demanding the withdrawal of the Act.
On the issue of withdrawal of the Public Safety Act in J-K, Naik said it was government's prerogative to take a decision and refused to further comment on the issue.
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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30002597
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