National
Terrorism affecting development, says Sinha
By Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, JAN. 22. Terming today's attack on the American Centre in Kolkata as ``unfortunate,'' the Union Finance Minister, Yashwant Sinha, said it was this sort of terrorist activity which ``detracts us from the path of development.''
Participating at the India Today Conclave here, Mr. Sinha said such violence was being perpetrated by one or two `rouge states' which were keeping countries like India from concentrating on development activity. ``Personally, I would like to spend more on developmental needs, but then, no country can afford to sacrifice national security. Till the regional and security situation improves, we will have to spend more on defence.''
On whether there would be a war with Pakistan, Mr. Sinha said it was for the Defence Minister to answer. ``It is in the national interest of all of us to avoid a war. But if a war is thrust upon us, we will not shy away from it.''
About the coming budget, Mr. Sinha was non-committal in saying that it was the Government's stated objective to reduce the peak import duty rates to 20 per cent.
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