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Fernandes rules out pullout of troops
By Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, FEB. 1. Asserting that there was hardly any significant evidence of a decline in shelling and infiltration across the border, India today ruled out withdrawal of troops from the western border.
Another reason for India's reluctance to withdraw the troops from combat positions is the failure of the Pakistani armoured units including tanks to move back from their forward positions since October.
``We will not withdraw our troops unless Pakistan hands over the 20 terrorists sought by India and ends cross- border terrorism. Although infiltration has fallen, the decline is not even worth mentioning,'' said the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, here today. ``The Government does not have to decide when to pull back,'' he said, indicating that the onus was on Pakistan to display reasonable confidence-building measures, fundamental among them being the extradition of 20 Indian and Pakistani nationals and completely restricting logistical support to terrorists.
Referring to the heavy shelling in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri and Poonch districts, he said the only probable reason was to facilitate the infiltration of terrorists. ``If Pakistan has actually reduced its antagonism towards India, then why is it shelling Indian troop positions and villages? Are they then burning ammunition? I am told they are financially not in a position to do so.''
The Minister suggested the upgrading of the Navy's arsenal to enable it to play a significant role in the global surveillance grid being cobbled together by the United States. The Navy would play a key role in the Malacca Straits, a major thoroughfare for billions of dollars worth of oil from West Asia. The Cabinet Committee of Security was considering a detailed proposal for joint patrolling of the straits and the adjoining seas by a multilateral force of which the Navy would be a key component.
``We have a Navy that is as powerful as it can be. But it needs further strengthening. We need more and better ships because the Navy has a tremendous responsibility not only in our territory but in the region as well. Besides checking piracy, it will be responsible for guarding the sea lanes from west to east and from east to west.''
Towards this end, Mr. Fernandes indicated that the docked Russian aircraft-carrier Admiral Gorshkov would be bought while another carrier would be built indigenously. In all, India required three aircraft carriers estimated to cost a minimum of $ 1 billion each.
Mr. Fernandes ruled out handing over the Central Vigilance Commission's report on corruption in defence deals to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, terming the Opposition's demand unreasonable.
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